What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question we’ve all been asked, but for a teenager trying to think about their next steps in a rapidly changing world, the answer is often anything but simple.
On April 29, more than 100 Indigenous youth gathered at the Snuneymuxw Recreation and Wellness Centre for
Pathways to Your Purpose, a hands-on career fair that gave them opportunities to learn about careers in health and cancer care, the trades, and other exciting fields. The event — funded through the cancer centre project’s Enhanced Inclusion and Diversity Agreement (EIDA) — was coordinated in partnership between Snuneymuxw First Nation, Island Health, BC Cancer, Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), and School District #68 Career Technical Centre (Nanaimo).
“Pathways to Your Purpose was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from both students and participating organizations,” said Sheila White, education navigator, Snuneymuxw First Nation. “The interactive format of the career fair created meaningful engagement throughout the entire day, with students rotating through hands-on stations every 10 to 20 minutes and actively exploring different career pathways. The energy, curiosity, and connection in the room showed just how impactful experiential learning can be. The event’s success has already inspired additional organizations to reach out about participating in future fairs.”
At the BC Cancer booth, students learned about the pathways that could lead them to fulfilling careers as nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, PET technologists, physicists and physicians — all vital roles in the new cancer centre. A student graduating from high school this year learned they could be educated and ready for some of the jobs that will become available when the cancer centre opens in 2028.
Rosy Hartman, manager, Indigenous design and cultural safety, Indigenous Cancer Control, BC Cancer, Darian Nyuli, manager, Sanya’k̓ula, Indigenous Recruitment, PHSA and Carla Paradis, recruitment services advisor, PHSA (not pictured) spoke with youth about opportunities at the new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo.
“Events like this show what’s possible when organizations come together in true partnership with Indigenous communities to support Indigenous youth,” said Rosy Hartman, manager, Indigenous Design and Cultural Safety, Indigenous Cancer Control, BC Cancer. “Creating culturally relevant, hands on opportunities is one way we can help remove barriers and open doors — so that youth can see themselves reflected in the future workforce and know they belong there.”
Students attending the career fair also got to use soldering irons and welding torches to make their own copper heart keepsakes – important skills that plumbers will use throughout the cancer centre construction project. They also practiced folding sheet metal in fun and creative ways – skills that could lead to fulfilling careers as sheet metal workers.
“It was incredible seeing so many youth attend the career fair and how interested they were in learning about the different career pathways open to them,” said Lise Gillies, Indigenous advisor, Cultural Safety, Island Health. “We met many students who want to work in health care, and it was exciting to share opportunities when the new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo opens in 2028, cancer centres across the province, and within PHSA.”
Copper heart keepsakes.
Other showcased career paths included dental therapy in rural and remote communities, a program that helps girls and non-cis-gender youth spark firefighting careers, and careers as electricians, construction workers and roofers.
“I'm hopeful that the impact of this fair will be far reaching, and the youth feel encouraged and empowered to explore career and education options that align with their interests, passions and values,” said Darian Nyuli, manager, Sanya’k̓ula, Indigenous Recruitment, PHSA.
To see highlights from the career fair,
watch this video.
Learn more about the new BC Cancer centre in Nanaimo.
