Exploring Career Paths

It’s a question that almost every person has been asked at some point in their life. The answer is often found scrawled on a mini chalkboard that a child holds up for a picture on their first day of school, a tentative smile edging across their face. As we know all too well, the answer to this question has a tendency to change over time. We find it endearing to see the progression from firefighter to teacher to veterinarian all in the same year, but it begs an even more important question for some: what if your child doesn’t know what they want to be when they grow up?

Don’t panic. Some kids may be drawn to multiple occupations at the same time; some simply don’t know about all of the amazing options out there. Your child may be talented in a specific area, but they aren’t sure how that passion correlates to an actual career. Whatever the case may be, we’re here to help!

Virtual Elementary School has recently collaborated with ChatterHigh to support our students in their exploration of potential career paths by connecting them with information about the vast pool of available job options. Every VES student in Grades 6, 7, and 8 now has access to the free ChatterHigh platform, so we encourage you to try it out!

How does ChatterHigh work?

Founded in 2009 by Lee Taal, ChatterHigh’s purpose is to motivate students to learn a little bit about all careers—the traditional, the cutting edge, the quirky, and the obscure. ChatterHigh is a quiz tool that encourages users to research reliable resources and answer questions about different careers. By completing the daily 10-question quizzes, students earn points which can be exchanged for rewards for themselves, their school, or a variety of charities. Each question requires the student to explore websites hosted by workplaces and educational institutions in order to locate the answer. The more quizzes they complete, the better the platform is able to understand their preferences, strengths, and potential career paths. Once the student has completed a certain number of quiz questions, ChatterHigh is able to provide individualized suggestions for post-secondary education programs that support the student’s career interests.

The gamified nature of ChatterHigh encourages student engagement and stimulation, and who doesn’t love to have a little fun while learning? Plus, the platform provides increased awareness, online presence, and recruitment opportunities for big and small post-secondary institutions. It’s a win-win for everybody involved!

While you’re checking out the ChatterHigh site, don’t forget that the purpose is to explore! Go down the rabbit hole with your child, follow the twists and turns, and see what you find along the way. You might be inspired yourself. We can’t wait to hear about your adventures with ChatterHigh!