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Please

about the RADS!

  As the job market becomes more and more competitive, employers (even the local department store or restaurant) want employees to have work-related experience. 

But how do I get experience if no one wants to hire me? 

This is a common dilemma for students. An excellent way to get experience is to volunteer your time to non-for-profit organizations such as nursing homes, hospitals, libraries, etc. 

  But an even better choice is to participate in the co-operative education program at your high school. With the co-op program, you go to school fin the morning and work for a business in the afternoon, during your senior year of high school. 

There are many ADVANTAGES to the program: 

• Gain real-world experience working for a company
• Get hands-on experience on equipment normally not accessible to educational institutions
• There is a great possibility of the business hiring you once your co-op term is over
• Meeting new people and making contacts
• Learn important job hunting skills like resume writing, interviews
• You may earn a little bit of cash in the form of an honourarium

• Since you are a high school co-op student, the company will most likely not pay you for your services
• Participating in the program means that you might not have the opportunity to play on school teams
• Although you are taking fewer courses, you will likely have less time to do your school work compared to your fellow non-coop students which may result in lower grades

You must decide if the real-world experience is more beneficial to you than the better grades that might lead to scholarships.