Career Discoveries helps Students Develop Work and Life Skills 

April 6, 2023

A Langley School District program that has been in operation for more than 30 years continues to provide students who have diverse learning abilities with the skills and experience necessary to compete in the job market. 

The Career Discoveries Program aims to get students to start thinking about, and planning for, life after graduation, and helps prepare them for that transition by arranging work-experience placements with local businesses. 

Often, students in the program have had the opportunity to try a number of different career paths by the time they graduate.  

“We aim to give students opportunities with real work and real businesses, where they can practice employability skills that will transfer to their resumes and, ultimately, to paid employment,” said Sandy Morgan, Work Experience Assistant helping organize secondary student placements in the Career Discoveries program throughout the District. 

“I think it’s one of the most important and valuable opportunities that we have in our school district,” explained Morgan. “I love seeing kids make connections and develop skills that turn into employment, and make them feel good about themselves, and make contributions that matter.” 

DeSean, a Grade 12 student at R.E. Mountain Secondary, recently wrapped up a work experience placement at Old Spaghetti Factory in Langley, where he worked in the kitchen.  

“The experience, I’ve learned a lot from it,” he said, noting that he now knows how to operate an industrial dishwasher, as well as what it’s like to work in a real-world restaurant setting.  

“I’d never done that before, so it’s something I learned,” he said. “It’s just made me more open to seeing how it works, and how working in a workplace is like, hands-on, and actually doing actual work.” 

Hundreds of students have participated in the program, and Morgan said in many instances, the work experience led directly to a career. DeSean, for example, may have the opportunity to work part-time at the restaurant once his work-experience placement is finished.   

He said he plans to apply for culinary school after graduation, with dreams of one day becoming a chef.  

“My goals are to come out with experience and some skills that I can use further on in my life, in a job, or even in my own life setting,” he added.  

Morgan has witnessed countless success stories in her years with the program and said it’s always a rewarding experience.   

“We had a young lady who got a job at (a grocery store), and that was 15 years ago and she’s still working there today,” Morgan said.  

“These students, they are getting the opportunities to add to their resumes. Work experience works. (We are) empowering students, building futures, and making a difference in students’ lives.” 

For more on the Career Discoveries program, please visit the Career Discoveries website.