Occupational Opportunities

 If you are still in high school it is important to note that taking as many science and mathematics courses as possible while in high school, and doing well in them, closes no career pathways, whereas not taking them does.

After high school, many students take a Bachelor of Science Degree as an intended pathway to a medical, dental or related health career, where in reality the entry requirements and seats available are very restrictive. It is always advisable to have a backup plan for such aggressive ambitions, or, if you truly do not believe that with greater commitment you can achieve the higher grades demanded for entry, then to set educational and career targets more in line with your realistic achievements.

A Bachelor of Science or Engineering Degree, whatever the discipline it may be in (biology, mathematics, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, …), opens the doors to a variety of job opportunities. A number of these are listed by National Occupation Classification (NOC) on the Government of Canada’s Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) website. Most of the job classifications for a grandaunt of a science or engineering degree fall under Class 2: Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations, but not to be forgotten are lucrative careers in teaching, government, health (there are many careers within the health field without having to be a physician or dentist), and business. The higher the level of education, the higher the level of opportunities in any field that become available, but one must always be cognizant of the risks of overspecialization.

One should not assume that a degree in Science guarantees a career in the sciences. Jobs in science, as in most other fields, may not be readily available at the time of graduation. Nevertheless, a founding principle of any baccalaureate degree, whether Arts, Science or whatever, is to provide students with a broader perspective in any field so that they can make sounder and more rational decisions based on knowledge and fact, and not purely on emotion, hearsay and popular belief. It shows one how to research for truthful information on any topic, and to report and defend one’s findings or position, and by doing so to become responsible citizens and leaders in the community. Research has shown that degree graduates secure full-time employment sooner than those with just a secondary school diploma. Studies have also clearly concluded that the higher the level of education, the higher the employment rate, the salary, job satisfaction, and wellness, and the lower the demands on our nation’s social and justice systems.