This BC Youth Week, Learn How Entry-Level Jobs Set the Stage for a Successful Career
BC Youth Week happens every year during the first week of May with the goal of building strong and lasting connections between youth and their communities. Events held during this week highlight the interests, accomplishments and diversity of youth across B.C. and empower them to get involved in their communities and prepare for their futures.
The 2024 Labour Market Outlook report forecasts that 524,000 young people (aged 29 or younger) will enter the B.C. labour force for the first time over the next 10 years. Entry-level jobs are how youth break into the workforce and start laying the groundwork for their future careers.
Entry-level jobs are stepping stones to a successful career
Everyone starts somewhere. Many successful people started their careers by working entry-level jobs in the retail and accommodation and food services industries or as a casual employee in a corporate setting. Although junior positions typically offer lower pay and may be seasonal or part time, they play an important role in building a career. Below are five reasons why entry-level jobs are key to future success in the workforce.
1. Developing skills through experience
There’s no better way to learn than by doing. Entry-level jobs give you experience in skills like:
- Communication, teamwork, problem solving and adaptability
- Navigating workplace dynamics
- Building a healthy work ethic
- Creating and maintaining a positive reputation through quality of work, demonstrating reliability and a positive attitude
- Persevering through challenging tasks
No matter the industry or role, the skills developed through entry-level jobs are transferable to future jobs. Learn more about the importance of soft skills in the labour market.
2. Networking
Working in a junior position provides a chance to connect with coworkers, supervisors and clients. These professional connections may lead to mentorships, future job opportunities and positive references. Learn more about how networking can lead to future opportunities.
3. Discovering strengths and passions
Entry-level jobs let people try different career paths to determine if they’re the right fit. Some people learn what they thought they wanted to do wasn’t for them. The opposite is also true. Someone may try an entry-level job they didn’t think they’d like, but discover new things about themselves, including skills they didn’t know they had. Learning what one likes and doesn’t like makes it easier to plan a career. Try taking Career Discovery Quizzes to discover which careers might be the best fit.
4. Understanding different industries
A junior position provides a glimpse into the world of work and how industries operate. Entry-level duties like answering phones, using a cash register or assembling reports can teach someone about the industry they’re in. Connecting with co-workers and supervisors is also a good way to learn about a specific industry. See Industry Profiles to learn about B.C.’s 18 major industries.
5. Building a resume and bridging to future opportunities
Each job is a stepping stone towards achieving long-term career goals. Experience gained through entry-level jobs provides one with:
- Skills to excel in higher-level roles
- Experience to put on a resume and cover letter
- Solid work examples to draw on when answering interview questions
They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a career. Progress takes time and entry-level jobs are the beginning of a journey towards achieving one’s career goals.
Start the journey now to long-term career success:
Apply to entry-level jobs on the WorkBC.ca Job Board.
Visit the Job Application Tips page to find resume, cover letter, interview and networking advice.
Check out Resources for Youth for support tailored to young people entering the workforce.
Visit a local WorkBC Centre to speak with a career professional to get started in the labour market.