What's Next?

I am currently studying Youth and Adult Correctional Intervention at Ahuntsic College. I am graduating soon and need to decide if I go to university to get a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology or I start working right away.

Choice 1 : Go to University.

Choice 2 : Start Working.

Go to University.

For the past year, I've always thought I would go to university to study criminology. This is because I want to work in a probation office. This job requires a university degree because you are communicating with clients closely and have specific clients that are assigned to you. This is not like in a community center where you speak to the clients that are there that day and that need help If I want to work in a probation office, I should get a university degree. I already know that I want to go to the University of Ottawa. Should I go right away or take a year off before I go to university?

Choice 1 : Take a Year Off.

Choice 2 : Go to University Right Away After Graduating.

Start Working.

When I graduate from Ahuntsic College, I will have been in school for four years. I don’t know if I want to do more school after that. I have other passions in my life. I have always wanted to travel. My partner is from the United Kingdom, and we have been talking about going to live there once I graduate. It could be an adventure. But I know I need to make money. I am currently working at a community center for homeless people. I enjoy working there. It might be smarter to stay in Canada.

Choice 1 : Stay in Canada.

Choice 2 : Move to the United Kingdom.

Stay in Canada.

If I stay in Canada, I know that my degree will be recognized and that I will be able to get a job. I could get a job as a correctional officer, or I could get a job in social work. I will also be closer to my family and I will be sure to get a job where I can work in French. This seems like a safe choice and an easy choice, but I don’t know if it is what I really want.

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Move to the United Kingdom.

Moving to another country is exciting for me. I have been living in Canada for my whole life. It would be fun to try something new. The United Kingdom has a lot of history and culture. My partner’s family owns land in Ireland, so we might go and live there. But it is not close to cities. My degree from College Ahuntsic might not be helpful there and I am not as good in English as I want to be. Working in English will be difficult for me and I might find it hard to start a career and a life there. I could get another degree in the United Kingdom which is recognized there or I could try and find a job there.

Choice 1 : Get a Degree in the United Kingdom.

Choice 2 : Get a Job in the United Kingdom.

Take a Year Off.

I might take a year off before going to university. With my degree from Ahuntsic College, I will be able to get a job that pays pretty well and save up for university. I could also save some money to travel and do things I enjoy. After COVID and studying for four years I think some time to work and travel will be good for my mental health. If I work in my field I will be able to practice interventions and interacting with clients, which will help my studies at university because I will have experience. It will help me to decide if I really want to go to university or if I need it to get a job I like. I want to work with adult delinquents and help people to rehabilitate to society. I might not need to work as a probation officer to get this experience.

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Go to University Right Away After Graduating.

There are some good reasons for going to university right away. I will finish school quickly. This means I can start working quick and building my career. To pay for my school, I will apply for the first generation university student bursary that the University of Ottawa offers, and I will get loans from the government to help as well. At the University of Ottawa, I want to learn about the psychology of rehabilitation so when I work at a probation office I will know how to reintegrate my clients back into society and help them in the best possible way. Social rehabilitation is also important. Maybe, I should get a Master's degree in Criminology and not just a Bachelor's of Criminology.

Choice 1 : Get a Master's Degree.

Choice 2 : Get a Bachelor's Degree.

Get a Master's Degree.

Getting a Master’s degree will give me more career options. I will have knowledge of psychology and criminology and will be able to get more specialized jobs like crime analyst, which is very interesting to me. But it will be a lot of school and a lot of money. I will be in school for another five years. In total, I will be in school for nine years. This means I will have a lot of student debt and will be twenty-seven when I graduate and start making money. It is a big sacrifice. Is it worth it?

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Get a Bachelor's Degree.

If I get a Bachelor's degree, I can work in a probation office. This is where I want to work. I will be able to work with clients and help rehabilitate them, so they do not reoffend. This is a job I think will make me happy, and I will be good at. If I go to university after Ahuntsic College, I will be twenty-five when I graduate.

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Get a Degree in the United Kingdom.

I could get a degree or certification in the United Kingdom. The one option is to go to university in the United Kingdom. If I am a citizen and live in Scotland for a certain number of years before going to university, my university is free. I would need to move to Scotland and wait before going, but this is an option.

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Get a Job in the United Kingdom.

If I do not go to university, and I only have the degree from Ahuntsic College, it might be difficult for me to find a job in my field. I might have to do something totally different or accept a job where I can. I have always wanted to live in the country and so if I can do that in another country, I will be happy even if I cannot get the perfect job. I might be lucky and find something anyway.

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