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Plan Your High School Journey - alis
Unsure about the best path to take to complete high school? These alis resources will help you understand your options and find a pathway that leads you to your career goal.
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Government's holiday closure runs from December 24 to January 1, 2025. For emergency supports, please visit alberta.ca or call the Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135.
High school student posing for graduation photo in cap and gown.
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Plan Your High School Journey

There are many ways to complete high school in Alberta. Follow the steps below to find the high school pathway that will lead you to a career you'll enjoy and succeed in. 

Step 1: Research your interests and abilities

Complete the quizzes in CAREERinsite to learn your interests, skills, and abilities. The quizzes will match you with occupations that are a good fit for you. By targeting an occupation now, you can customize your high school pathway to give you the training and experience you need to reach your career goal.
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Know Yourself

The first step in planning your career is to know your values, your interests, and the things you’re good at. It's time to get to know yourself. Take one or more of the quizzes to help plan your career path.

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Why Career Planning Can Work for You

Career planning is a lifelong process that can help you manage important life and work decisions. Consider your priorities, options, and strengths to build a plan that gets you where you want to go.

Step 2: Choose a path to graduation

Learn about the 3 pathways to graduate high school and choose the one that's best for you. Each option has different requirements for the number of credits you need to earn and the courses you'll need to take.
Student posing in cap and gown on high school graduation day.
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Explore Education and Training

What’s the Best Path for Me to Graduate High School?

Is finishing high school important to you so you can pursue the education or career you want? No matter your age, ability, or goals, there are many ways you can get a high school diploma in Alberta.
Explore Education and Training

Graduation Requirements, Credentials, and Credits

Learn about the many ways to finish high school in Alberta.
Explore Education and Training

Provincially Authorized Senior High School Courses and Course Codes

Check out the hundreds of course options available to you as a high school student in Alberta. You'll find many options to get specialized training in subjects that match your interests and abilities.

Step 3: Choose your complementary courses and programs of choice

In addition to the required courses, there are many electives, dual credit courses, and off-campus programs that can give you a head start on reaching your career goal.
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What High School Electives Can I Take to Reach My Career Goals?

Starting in Grade 10, you’re allowed to choose some of your courses based on your interests. The courses you choose are called electives. Many options are open to you, so choose carefully.
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Dual Credit: Get a Head Start on Your Career

You don’t have to wait to graduate from high school to start your post-secondary education. As early as grade 10, you can take dual credit courses to learn about a skilled trade or profession and get you ready to enter the workplace sooner.

Get Started with the Registered Apprenticeship Program

If you’re a high school student interested in the skilled trades, RAP might be for you. RAP lets you earn on-the-job training hours towards an apprenticeship program while you earn high school credits.
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High School Students: Have You Explored Off-Campus Programming?

Did you know there’s more to high school than your core courses? Get a head start on you career training by exploring off-campus programs while you’re in high school.

Step 4: Develop and maintain a portfolio

A portfolio showcases your talents and skills. You can use it to make a positive impression when you’re looking for work, applying to a post-secondary school, or planning your career.
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Look for Work

How to Build a Job Portfolio

A growing number of job seekers in a range of fields are using portfolios to support the claims they make in their resumés. Using portfolios and create a positive impression in job interviews.
Read More

Step 5: Create a post-high school plan

There's a lot you can do in each grade to prepare for life after high school. These resources will help you plan for post-secondary training or beginning your career.
Plan Your Career

Start Planning What Steps to Take After High School

After high school, you may look for work or continue your education. Check out this quick introduction to resources that can help you figure out your next steps.
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Explore Education and Training

Planning for Post-Secondary: High School Checklists

Your time in high school will go by quickly. Before you know it, you will be making decisions about work or post-secondary school. It makes sense to plan now, for success later in life. Use these Grade 10, 11, and 12 checklists to plan for post-secondary school.
Explore Education and Training

Explore School and Program Options

Once you've identified a career direction and the education and training you need to make it a reality, your next step is to explore schools and programs.
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Explore Education and Training

Pay for Your Post-Secondary Education

You have options when it comes to paying for school. Most students fund their education with a combination of money earned, saved, and borrowed or awarded.
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Explore Education and Training

Budget for Student Life

Figuring out how much your post-secondary education will cost is the first step in planning how to pay for it.

Additional Resources

Pay for Your Education

Financial Literacy for Students: Invest in Your Future

Explore these articles, resources, interactive tools, and simulation games to build your financial literacy. With some budgeting basics under your belt, you'll be better equipped to make the most of your education and employment.

Alberta Student Aid

Alberta Student Aid provides financial resources to Albertans to support their post-secondary education.

Tradesecrets

Tradesecrets has resources and information about training, certification, scholarships and financial assistance for those wanting to get into the trades.

Canada Student Grants and Loans

Information and tools from the Government of Canada, designed to help students save, plan, and pay for post-secondary education
Find a Job

Work Search Basics

Whether you're a first-time job seeker, a newcomer to Canada, or a long-time veteran of the workforce, this article can give you the knowledge and resources to find work in Alberta.

How to Write a Great Resumé

Discover a few key tips for writing a resumé that get you an interview, like how to use action words and how long your resumé should be.

Cover Letters Open the Door to an Interview

Writing a clear, strong cover letter will catch the employer’s attention and increase your chances for an interview.

Job Search Resources for Students

Find helpful job search tips and links to resources designed to connect students with jobs in Alberta.

Work and Save Money to Pay for School

You may be able to pay for some or all of your post-secondary education with money you have saved or that you earn while studying.

Alberta Job Postings

Looking for work in Alberta? Get started now. Use filters to refine your job search. Sign up for alis Job Alerts so you don’t miss the newest job postings.

Research Occupations and Training Options
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