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| Thestar.com
> News |
| Nov. 24, 2000. 02:16 EST |
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Aboriginal career fair attracts 1,200
youth |
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Native teens urged to consider wide range of
job opportunities |
Nicholas Keung
STAFF
REPORTER |
The Web home page of TakingITGlobal -
projected on a huge screen at the Aboriginal Youth Career Fair
yesterday - states the company motto: Inspire, Inform and Involve.
Those three words may sum up what motivated 1,200 native
teens from across the country to gather at the one-day event at the
Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
TakingITGlobal, a not-for-profit youth-based Web company, was
one of hundreds of organizations presenting at the fifth such event
organized by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.
The founders of TakingITGlobal, Jennifer Corriero and Michael
Furdyk, are young, too.
``It is so important for these young people to think beyond
the traditional path and get into a career they have a passion
for,'' said Corriero, 20, who has been an information technology
consultant for three years.
``Hopefully, we can help them recognize their own strengths
and make a difference in their lives.''
`It is so important for
these young people to think beyond the traditional path and
get into a career they have a passion for.' |
- Jennifer
Corriero
Information technology consultant
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The digital economy workshop
was among close to 100 attended by participants, each focusing on
one of six major professional streams.
Other streams encompassed finance, social services, health
and education, media/arts/law, and environmental sciences.
Nicole Abotossaway, 16, came with her friends from Manitoulin
Island to learn more about the opportunities that exist for young
people in today's work force.
Abotossaway, who has grown up in the Sucker Creek reserve,
said aboriginal youths face many challenges.
``It is nice to see there are other opportunities out there.
All you have to do is to go and do it and make it happen for
yourself,'' said Abotossaway, who wants to be a child psychologist.
Kendra Madahbee, who was there with her triplet friends,
Ashley, Amanda and Amy Abotossaway, agreed.
``You have to stay in school and finish school to accomplish
in life,'' said Madahbee, 20, who aspires to be a social worker.
``I've learned quite a lot. It's an amazing experience.''
John Kim Bell, founder and president of the National
Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, says most government programs
encourage aboriginal students to pursue careers in law, teaching or
social work, and fail to explore other alternatives.
``Nobody wants to be unhappy, unemployed and unfulfilled. Our
youths need to be inspired and motivated,'' he said.
The job fair was designed to connect young people with
professionals, native or non-native, who can help them learn the
secrets of success.
``In order to succeed in today's society, you must have
higher education and a personal commitment to achieve,'' Bell noted.
``Achieving success requires a positive attitude, dedication
and hard work.'' | |
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