visitors speaking with Bruce KotowichBruce Kotowich, acting director of the School of Creative Arts, discusses academic and career paths with visitors at the Feb. 4 “Plan Ahead” event for students in early years of high school.

Event helps high schoolers plan for post-secondary education

The “Plan Ahead - Get Ready for University” event, designed for high school students preparing to select their courses, drew 600 visitors to the UWindsor campus Feb. 4.

Enrolment management and career development staff led the high schoolers to a career and academic pathway using an innovative “Career Cluster – Self Assessment” to explore one of six clusters and associated academic programs.

After attending breakout sessions based on their results, students and their parents had the opportunity to learn more about funding their education, transition to university, and supports available to help them thrive.

Organizer Kennedy Wonnacott says a conversation with an attending parent highlighted how the event provided his daughter with the right amount of information at the right time of year.

“He told me how the career cluster activity helped provide a tool that his daughter could reflect upon and, combined with the provided Grade 9 to 11 High School Course Planning Guide, will set her up for future university success,” Wonnacott recalls.

Chris Busch, associate vice-president of enrolment management, says it’s essential to engage future Lancers early: “This event, combined with a new website specifically for high school students, ensures that we help them ensure they have the prerequisites necessary to pursue their desired major or field of study and gain the academic preparation necessary for a successful transition to university, even if it is not UWindsor — but we hope it will be!”

His office plans to continue to engage all who registered for the event and extends appreciation to campus partners involved, including the Office of Career Development and Experiential Learning, academic faculties, and student support areas.