Career Day 2026: Opening Doors to Possibilities
Grade 11 students spent a full day looking beyond the classroom and into the real world as St. Michael’s College School (SMCS) hosted its annual Career Day on January 27. The event helps students explore postsecondary pathways, discover different professions, and begin thinking seriously about the skills needed beyond high school.
“At this stage in their high school journey, students are beginning to make important academic and personal decisions,” says Dr. Daniel Lumsden ’96, community engagement and learning lead. “Career Day provides a break in the daily routine to explore what is possible and gain meaningful exposure to real-world experiences and professional insight.”
The day opened with engaging keynote speaker Rob Nickerson, well-known for his energetic and interactive leadership workshops using improvisation as a teaching tool.
Using improv-based techniques and hands-on exercises, students were challenged to step outside their comfort zones while developing skills in leadership, collaboration, creative problem-solving, and effective communication. The session set an energetic and reflective tone for the day, emphasizing adaptability, teamwork, and confidence—skills essential across all career paths.
During the second half of the day, students rotated through a series of interactive sessions led by guest speakers representing fields, including business, science, technology, health care, law, education, entrepreneurship, athletics, and the creative industries.
“I found Career Day to be a very valuable and engaging experience. It gave me the opportunity to learn in-depth about a wide range of careers and the different educational paths, skills, and personal qualities required to succeed in each field,” says Reed Hammill, Grade 11. “Hearing directly from professionals allowed me to better understand what their day-to-day work looks like, as well as the challenges and rewards associated with their careers. Learning from others’ experiences helped me reflect more seriously on my own interests and goals, and it clarified what I might want to pursue in the future. I especially appreciated that each speaker represented a different career, as this exposed me to multiple perspectives across various job markets and highlighted the many unique pathways to professional success.”
Speakers shared their personal journeys, discussed the realities of their professions, and offered honest insights into university and college pathways, apprenticeships, and alternative routes to success.
“Career Day was a very helpful and interesting experience that broadened my view of how many possibilities there are for me after graduation,” says Wallace Dempsey, Grade 11. “I had the opportunity to speak to professionals in many different areas, such as physical training, broadcasting, computer science, and coaching at a pro level. Hearing all these professionals speak about what they do and how they got to their current roles was eye-opening for me, as I am still unsure what I want to pursue in my post-secondary education.”
Throughout these sessions, an emphasis was placed on transferable skills such as perseverance, communication, and critical thinking. Each speaker brought a unique story and perspective, sharing how their own paths unfolded and the lessons they learned along the way.
“The day also encouraged students to ask thoughtful questions and reflect on their own interests, strengths, and values,” added Lumsden. “Our small-group sessions helped students gain confidence in introducing themselves and articulating their goals. For many, it was a first taste of the kind of conversations they will have in interviews and postsecondary settings.”
Importantly, the day reinforced that there is no single ‘right’ path to success following high school. Careers are rarely straight lines, shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
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