Grade 10 students participated in the 10th Annual Career Life Education Post-Secondary Planning Boot Camp, an entire day designed to help with exploration of the students' future, understand graduation requirements and begin mapping the possible academic and career pathways that lie ahead.
The boot camp, a cornerstone of the school’s Career and Life Education program, combines self-discovery, skill-building and practical planning to equip students with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their post-secondary journeys.
“The boot camp is designed to spark curiosity and confidence,” said Ruth McGhee, Director of University Counselling. “It’s about helping students see the possibilities and understand the steps they need to take to get there.”
A Day of Discovery and Planning
The morning session focused on self-discovery and skill development. Students revisited their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) results, which broadly categories personality time after a questionnaire, collected from an earlier Career Life Education (CLE) 10 class. Students then explored career options aligned with their personality types, sparking both serious reflection and light-hearted moments.
A hands-on 21st Century Skills challenge with four interactive stations was also part of the morning activities. At one station, they practiced communication and interpretation skills by giving verbal instructions to a blindfolded partner who attempted to draw a picture. At another, they crafted meaningful haikus from random words, fostering creative problem-solving. A third station challenged them to collaborate and stack cups into a pyramid using only strings and elastics, while the final station tested their critical thinking with brain teasers and logic puzzles.
The midday session shifted to personal and academic planning, beginning with an ikigai exercise. Rooted in Japanese philosophy, ikigai encourages individuals to find their purpose by answering four questions: What are you good at? What do you love? What does the world need? And what can you get paid for? Students worked through these questions using a guided video and reflection activity, setting the stage for deeper discussions about their futures.
Later in the day students were immersed in a post-secondary planning “firehose” session; a fast-paced overview of graduation requirements, university admission criteria and how to choose the right program based on their interests. Armed with their Boot Camp Passport—a document to track key takeaways—students began mapping out their academic goals.
University Research and Alumni Insights
The afternoon session brought a mix of fun and practical learning. Students competed in a high-energy game of university trivia, answering questions like, “Which Canadian university has a piece of Einstein’s brain?” and “In what city would you find the University of Alberta?” The game show-style format made learning about universities engaging and memorable.
Following the trivia, students went on a scavenger hunt to explore personalized university and course research. Guided by advisors, they navigated university websites to explore programs and identify prerequisites for their chosen fields. This hands-on research helped them connect their current course selections with future academic goals.
The day concluded with a video-viewing session, featuring recent SMUS graduates who shared advice and reflections. In one-minute clips, alumni answered questions like, “What advice would you give your Grade 10 self?” and “What’s one thing you wish you had known before graduating high school?” Their insights provided a tangible connection to life beyond high school.
A Foundation for the Future
The boot camp wrapped up with a final reflection and visualization exercise. Students completed their Boot Camp Passport, answering questions about their career interests, potential majors and university programs they were considering. This document will serve as a valuable resource during upcoming academic advising sessions.
The timing of the boot camp is intentional, coinciding with the start of course selection season. As students begin choosing their Grade 11 and 12 courses, the insights gained from the event will help them make informed decisions that align with their post-secondary aspirations.
“This day often prompts important family conversations about the future,” said McGhee. “Students are starting to see how their choices now can shape their pathways after graduation.”
For the Grade 10s at SMUS, the Post-Secondary Planning Boot Camp was more than just a day of activities—it was the first step toward building a future filled with purpose and possibility.
