“Interacting with the kids every Saturday in Career Trek is a constant reminder to myself that I should be grateful of what I am given and to share my knowledge and patience through teaching. After teaching for the two years, I learnt that every child I taught is different and that there is a special learning seed in each of them waiting to be planted and grown, to enlighten them with the wealth of learning.” – May Wong, Geological Science Instructor, Phase 1 Program

“I love working for Career Trek because every week I get to go to work knowing that I am making a positive difference in the lives of some very special children. I have never had such a rewarding and inspiring job.” – Suzy Martins, Business Administration Instructor, Phase 1 Program

“Career Trek gives me hope that someday soon, there will be a lower unemployment rate. It gives me joy seeing brilliant young minds see new opportunities. It means a brighter future, and I am grateful for the chance to be a part of the teaching, learning, and inspiring that happens in such a short amount of time at Career Trek.” – Claire Powell, Instructor, Westman Project

“I love working at Career Trek because I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of many youth. It is refreshing to see the looks of excitement as they realize how many possibilities they have for their futures.” – Michelle Corbett, Group Leader, Westman Project

“What I love about working for Career Trek is seeing the high level of engagement that students have when they get to try out various hands-on activities. Students' keen interest in exploring different career options and gaining that confidence to succeed in school. I love seeing their enthusiasm towards learning. Having that opportunity to be a positive influence on the participants in the program. Being one of the participants' support system, because that is really important in getting students to stay in school and being the best that they can be in life!” – Instructor, Children Rising Program

“I love working for Career Trek because I get a chance to motivate elementary students to have a post-secondary education. Being with these kids (there is) always some kind of a challenge, and it helps me gain experience in many different situations. The staff are supportive and fun to work with, and it's a good environment to work in.” – Orontes Meija, Group Leader and Grad, Phase 1 Program

“What I love about working with Career Trek is the relationships I get to build with such a diverse and gifted group of participants. Every week I am amazed to see their individual strengths and talents shine. As well, I get to work with a team that is equally passionate and vested in expanding the future of the next generation. Finally, doing the activities with the participants is just too much fun.” – Paul Friesen, Group Leader, Phase 1 Program

“I love working for Career Trek because it is a great opportunity for school-aged kids to take a look at what’s available for them once they finish school. Career Trek allows both students and staff to meet new people and create new memories, and I think that friends and great memories are life's most important treasures. The youth of today are going to be the leaders of tomorrow, and I believe that it's very important to give all of our youth a chance at a great tomorrow, and through this program, I feel that we are laying the stepping stones for that.” – Chantel Colli, Instructor, Westman Project

“The reason I love working for Career Trek is the opportunity to partake in teaching these young people in something they may have a passion in. Also it's an interesting experience to be first of all a young participant in the past and later on becoming the person I idolized before. An instructor.” – Alexander Del Rosario, Instructor, Phase 2 Project

“I love working for Career Trek for one reason and that is to have the opportunity to reach one child out of 200 that is interested and ready to move forward with their dreams. I wish I had someone who wanted to guide me into what I love to do, but I did not have that type of support. Now I would like to give all of these children the support they need to find out those answers whether they take it or leave it, that is their choice, but I will give them the support, information and encouragement each one of them needs to get those answers.” – Kelly Mathers, Campus Coordinator, Westman Project

“I love working for Career Trek because I get to meet new people who are enthusiastic and dedicated to helping young people discover their talents and gain information about potential future careers. The program helps develop leadership skills and builds self-esteem. The kids are fantastic to work with.” – Erin Froese, Instructor, Westman Project

“Personally, I love working for Career Trek because while pushing me to learn everyday, I still have the freedom to express who I am and have fun with the job. The restrictions are all based around treating everyone and everything with respect and are therefore very basic, leaving each staff member with the opportunity to put their personal touch on Career Trek.” – Jaclyn Oliver, Group Leader and Grad, Phase 1 Program

“Career Trek provides a great opportunity for children who need guidance and focus in their lives, it gives them a taste of what is possible and nurtures an interest in something that is obtainable, which leads to real successes! Playing a role in this process as a Group Leader brings me happiness, especially when I see so many kids who are genuinely interested and enjoying themselves.” – Dylan Hueston-Dane, Group Leader, Westman Project

“A world of possibilities is revealed to students through Career Trek. I'm very impressed with the depth of the program and the excitement it generates in students and parents. I've had an incredibly positive experience as a Career Trek instructor.” – Ben Zubrycki, Instructor, Westman Project

“I love working for Career Trek because.... I learn new things – about the lessons, the participants, myself – everyday. I build confidence in important skills, and I always have fun. Mostly though, I get to be cheesy and enthusiastic all the time - I love it!” – Brenlee Johnstone, Group Leader and Grad, Phase 1 Program

“Why I love working for Career Trek? The atmosphere is wonderful! Everyone who works at Career Trek is very caring, supportive, and kind. The staff listen to my concerns, and help me to do the best job possible. The children are amazing as well! They are full of energy, and are excited to learn in a fun and entertaining way. Every Saturday morning I am greeted with a large group of smiling faces, and my day is off to a good start! The lessons are also fun and educational. Not only have the children learned a lot, but so have I!” – Anna Choy, Group Leader, Phase 1 Program

“Through Career Trek I have met a number of amazing people that I had previously walked the hallways with everyday and never took the opportunity to talk to or become friends with. They have taught me a lot about myself and who I want to become. Their life lessons, experiences and knowledge have been invaluable to me. They have taught me that any dream is worth fighting for, no matter how small and no matter how hard the fight.” – Stephanie Colli, Instructor, Westman Project

“I have really enjoyed working for Career Trek because I have had the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of people and watch them grow and develop. I have also had the opportunity to meet a wide variety of people.  Career Trek has enabled me to learn more about myself and broaden my understanding of the world.” – Bryton Moen, Instructor, Westman Project

“I love working for Career Trek because it gives me the opportunity to have a positive influence on the lives of young adults and help them reach their full potential as members of our Canadian society. I enjoy every minute of my time spent working on the Phase 2 Projects with the Coordinators and the kids, and seeing the results of the Career Trek initiative reflected in the growth and development of the participants. Career Trek has been a wonderful place for me to expand my teaching practices and learn from students who are passionate about their interests.” – Sarah, Engineering Project Assistant, Phase 2 Project

“I love working for Career Trek because I like watching the kids' faces light up when they learn something new and am so excited for them!” – Brittany Brookes, Campus Coordinator, Westman Project

“My first year working for Career Trek has been such a blast! The program is so dedicated towards encouraging children to reach their full potential and has truly been a learning experience for all of them. I even find myself learning new things every week; about the program, the classes, my co-workers, and most importantly, the kids themselves.” – Shirley Harvey, Group Leader, Phase 1 Program

“I love working for Career Trek because it gives me the chance to work with professionals in various fields that I know little or nothing about and the chance to get to know students from all walks of life coming together every week in an encouraging and collaborative work environment. Career Trek has taught me the value and effectiveness of experiential learning and as a teacher in training I will definitely seek hands-on experiences for my students.” – Nerissa Umali, Project Assistant, Phase 2 Project

“In my 3 years with Children Rising, I feel that I've grown culturally and spiritually with the kids I've lead. This is more than a job to me, I enjoy every weekend I have with my group and wish we could have more weekends together.” – Group Leader, Children Rising


“To smile, laugh and be full of passion and excitement like the charge a child gets
from ice cream. Keep on, speak on...

To earn the appreciation of honest peers, colleagues because I lean on my Trekker team and they lean on me, because to me they are more then just a team I treat them like I would family. We are a group that is sincere, we are a group that is like minded and we are a group that inspires and encourages one another to chase our dreams.

Keep on, speak on....

To emulate and facilitate Darrell philosophyʼs to find a childʼs potential, to find the best in a child by helping them to realize their self love and self worth, to leave a childʼs world just a little better, to pass on the keys of knowledge to a child that were passed on to me by my wise ancestors, to be anxious to give a child the praise and support with regards to career and education, to guide children and help them realize their greatness is like the beauty found in nature like when you plant a crop and watch it bloom, to learn from children and enhance my self growth.

Keep on, speak on...

To have walked this path that lead me to Career Trek knowing that I was able to touch one personʼs life. Peace!” – Corey Parsons, Group Leader, Phase I Program

“I love my job because no day is the same as the last. The students in the program are amazing kids that consider the staff as role models, and there is no feeling that is more rewarding than being a positive influence on children’s lives.” – Jodi Shachtay, Group Leader, Phase 1 Program

“It is hardly a job at all and more like a time to connect with the youth of tomorrow. There is only one time to make a difference and it is now. Showing all the participants different jobs in biology I can't help but picture the doctors, nurses, veterinarians, geneticists and ecologists that will be helping make a difference in the community when we are all retired.” – Jessica Foss, Biology Instructor and Grad, Phase 1 Program

“I love working for Career Trek because I get to help students learn about useful parts of life outside of school, and I get to show them that learning can be a lot of fun if they can find a way to do something that they like and are passionate about. I want to be able to teach students the subject knowledge, but also about taking opportunities and always doing things that you like, because it makes work feel like play.” – Shanker Singh, Phase 2 Project Manager

“I love working at Career Trek because every Saturday I get to see kids have fun, learn, and develop and use new skills that get them thinking about who they want to become. I love the moments when the students are proud of themselves for understanding something. I know that I make a difference to these students not only for their present but for their futures as well. I love working for Career Trek because it is a place to be yourself and meet great people who are all there to help change a student's life!” – Brette Aubert, Group Leader, Phase 1 Program

“Because of the learning: not only is it a great feeling to be helping kids learn about different careers and fields, but I also get to learn about them!” – Rebecca Joseph, Group Leader, Phase 1 Program

“I love working for Career Trek because whenever we show a child that they can succeed and grow into a full person, it makes me feel positive about the abilities of not only the participants, but I also feel positive about the work and effort of the staff that move this along. It gives a better light on the people growing up in this city.” – Matt Phillips-Munoz, Campus Coordinator, Phase 1 Program