It Starts with a Conversation

As National Volunteer Week begins, we’re taking time to recognize the role Career Coach volunteers play in supporting career exploration for students across Ontario.

In classrooms every day, educators are helping students think about their future, growing career awareness, introducing pathways, and creating space for important questions.

Career Conversations are one way to build on that work.

By connecting students with volunteers from a wide range of industries, occupations, and career pathways, these conversations help bring real-world context into the classroom. Students have the chance to ask questions, hear about different journeys, and better understand what work can look like beyond school.

What is a Career Coach?

A Career Coach is a volunteer who shares their time and experience with students through conversation.

They come from across Ontario, representing a wide range of industries, occupations, and pathways. Some are just starting out in their careers, while others bring years of experience. What they have in common is simple: they have a career story to tell.

In Career Conversations, they:

• Share how they got to where they are
• Answer questions students don’t always get the chance to ask
• Talk honestly about the choices, changes, and challenges along the way

It’s not about telling students what they should do. It’s about making the world of work more visible and helping students see where they might fit.

And 97% of students say these conversations help them think about future job options and pathways.

Throughout this week, we’ll be sharing what that looks like in practice, through the voices of students, educators, and our team, as they see the impact of these volunteers firsthand.

Because while each conversation may be simple, it often changes how a student sees what’s possible.