Graduation is one of those occasions that marks a significant achievement and turning point in life.
And we’re not talking about pre-school, kindergarten, elementary school or middle school graduation. Those creations of the new generation are only precursors to the real thing - high school graduation and then college or university for some.
Chemainus Secondary School’s Class of 2019 reached its pinnacle Friday night during the annual ceremony at the gymnasium, heading into whatever the next phase brings.
For some, the transition from high school education to higher learning or directly to jobs will be easy. For others, it will be a struggle.
Suffice it to say our young people are faced with more choices than ever before about what to make of their futures.
Times have changed considerably with so many opportunities available in different sectors, some that didn’t even exist until recently due to the ever-increasing demand for technology expertise.
The bottom line is students can choose their own paths and be successful with the right mindset and work ethic.
Traditional jobs their parents and grandparents held won’t be as likely for this generation. Switching careers many times is a likely consequence, but not necessarily a drawback of the current job environment.
For now, most of the graduates will spend the next few years acquiring advanced education that will set them on their desired career path.
They can build upon their experiences at Chemainus Secondary and develop their knowledge even further with additional tools of the trade.
The sky truly is the limit, but there really is no hurry to get there. This is one small step for grads, and nowhere near a giant leap in their lives if we can paraphrase a little from famous astronaut Neil Armstrong.
There is much to explore in the world and new surprises around every corner. This generation seems focused to make a difference and there are certainly some big issues to conquer beyond whatever employment opportunities arise.