Starting a professional career can be a challenge, whether it’s due to a lack of experience, a competitive industry, or difficulties with networking and finding the right fit. That’s why gaining real-world experience is a great solution for job-seekers looking to enhance their chances of securing a job.

Indeed, practical knowledge and skills that cannot be gained solely through academic coursework can help you apply theoretical concepts to real-life situations, build a professional network, and gain insight into industry-specific practices and trends. In this article, we’ll cover how FuturePerfect by Katimavik prepares you for success through invaluable life experiences, career planning and skills training, real-world project experience, and job search and placement support.

FuturePerfect : an Invaluable Life Experience

As part of the program, participants have the chance to travel to a new part of Canada and experience living in a group with other like-minded young people, fully funded by Katimavik. Moving to a new region can provide opportunities for a better work-life balance, as well as the chance to try new hobbies and activities that can improve mental and physical health. A new environment can also help people grow personally and gain new skills and experiences by exposing them to different cultures, traditions, and perspectives. This experience can be what sets you apart from others professionally.

Career Planning and Skills Training

FuturePerfect also helps participants develop a personalized career plan that takes into account their unique skills, interests, and goals. This includes helping participants identify career paths that align with their passions and strengths, as well as providing guidance on job search strategies and interview preparation.

Participants are paired with a Job Developer who provides support in securing a job placement and guidance throughout the FuturePerfect experience. You will have access to career coaching, language lessons and an entire online training platform to improve your employability related skills. The program also provides a week-long orientation training in both technical and soft skills, which are critical for success in today’s job market. […]

Real-World Project Experience

Moreover, the program provides participants with opportunities to work on real-world projects, either independently or as part of a team. This allows them to gain practical experience and build a portfolio of work that can be shared with future employers.

Cody, who works in the fields and at the wine shop at the Halte des Pèlerins in Sherbrooke, Quebec, got invaluable experience in the tourism industry.

I want to work in the tourism industry, and I feel like working here at the vineyard did help me with that. [To] work at the boutique [and] work out in the field, [it] contributes so much in terms of tourism, so I want to stay in Quebec and, yeah, live here.

Likewise, Justina works at a thrift store in Sherbrooke, where she primarily helps to create, sort, and distribute donations to families in need. Her employers benefited from her ideas about marketing and administrative operations.

Job Search and Placement Support in FuturePerfect

Finally, FuturePerfect provides job search and placement support to participants, including assistance with resume writing, job applications, and interview preparation. This support can be critical in helping participants land their first job or transition to a new career.

For instance, Sofia, a FuturePerfect participant, wanted to work with people with intellectual disabilities. She was initially drawn to the program because it allowed her to work with individuals from different communities and provinces, and she got matched to a job offering her great experience for her future career.

I guess it’s having this initiative to […] find activities, [to] develop that patience of [repeating] everything like over and over [and] to be okay with it. […] It’s the challenge of if something goes wrong, I have to manage it.

As you can see, FuturePerfect offers an amazing opportunity to grow both on a professional and personal level. Participants are matched with real employers in host communities for 10 to 12 weeks of paid full-time work. Discover more about the program here.