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    Career Compass - Taking the Next Step
    In-person Program

    Career Compass - Taking the Next Step

    by Appleby College Summer Academy

    Career Compass combines career exploration, personal reflection, and a university visit to help students think more clearly about postsecondary choices and the changing world of work.

    Last verified: 8 Oct 2026Reviewed by:Succeed Editorial

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    Career Compass Taking the Next Step at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-11; strong English

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 15-17

    Location / Region

    Appleby College, Oakville, Canada

    Cost

    $695

    Duration

    1 week

    Format

    In-person

    Applications open

    8 December 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Get next-cycle reminder
    GeneralSocial Sciences
    Class size: Maximum 15 students
    Meals: Daily lunch included
    Certificate / Outcome: Certificate; full attendance required
    Campus experience: McMaster University tour and canoeing
    Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

    Career Compass Taking the Next Step summary

    Career Compass connects the changing world of work with students' own strengths, interests, and postsecondary choices.

    Classroom exploration is paired with a McMaster University visit and a group canoeing excursion.

    Its strongest fit is a student seeking clearer direction before committing to a particular academic or career pathway.

    What is Career Compass - Taking the Next Step?

    Career Compass - Taking the Next Step is Appleby College's senior enrichment course on career exploration and postsecondary planning. It connects the Civics and Careers curriculum with changes in technology, culture, and global industries.

    Students reflect on their strengths and interests while exploring emerging opportunities and practicing planning and decision-making. The experience also includes a McMaster University tour, followed by a group canoeing excursion.

    Why Succeed highlights Career Compass Taking the Next Step

    • Personal reflection gives career exploration a clear connection to students' own interests and strengths.

    • The McMaster University visit adds a concrete view of postsecondary life to classroom planning.

    • A maximum of 15 students creates a manageable setting for discussion and collaboration.

    • Alignment with Civics and Careers connects the experience to school learning.

    Who is Career Compass Taking the Next Step for?

    Best for

    Students who want to explore their strengths, compare future pathways, and make more thoughtful postsecondary decisions.

    Not ideal if

    You want workplace experience or specialist training in a career you have already chosen; the emphasis is exploration and planning.

    Is Career Compass Taking the Next Step worth it?

    Career Compass is worth considering if uncertainty about future study or work is making decisions difficult. Reflection, discussion, and a university visit give students several ways to test assumptions about their next step.

    Its value depends on how actively students connect those experiences to their own choices afterward. Career exploration can clarify questions, but it does not replace workplace experience or detailed research into a specific qualification.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $695; includes Senior enrichment classes and group activities., Daily lunch, including a bagged lunch on excursions., McMaster University tour and group canoeing excursion..

    Meals

    Daily lunch included

    Supervision or safety information

    Students without Before & After Care make their own way to class and leave independently after programming. Before & After Care requires separate preregistration and provides supervision from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

    Provider details

    Review the Appleby College Summer Academy provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    1 week; Appleby College, Oakville, Canada.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does Career Compass Taking the Next Step need?

    Effort level

    Moderate, with a structured academic day.

    Best started

    Begin planning several weeks before your session, allowing time for any English assessment and excursion-day arrangements.

    Main challenge

    Turning broad career possibilities into questions that matter to you.

    Typical preparation

    • List a few interests, strengths, and questions you want to explore.

    • Prepare a laptop or tablet and a reusable water bottle.

    • Agree on arrival and dismissal arrangements, including the longer excursion day.

    • Plan to attend every program day if you want to earn the certificate.

    Useful if

    You are weighing postsecondary subjects or different career directions.

    What do students do on Career Compass Taking the Next Step?

    You connect changes in the world of work with your own interests and possible next steps. Classroom exploration and reflection are complemented by firsthand exposure to a university campus.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore how technology, culture, and global industries are changing career paths.

    2. 2

      Reflect on your strengths and interests while considering emerging opportunities.

    3. 3

      Practice planning and decision-making for postsecondary study and future work.

    4. 4

      Tour McMaster University in the morning, then join the group canoeing excursion.

    Career Compass Taking the Next Step dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Career Compass: Taking the Next Step Sr. - July 2026 application deadline

    6 July 2026

    Reference date

    Career Compass: Taking the Next Step Sr. - August 2026 application deadline

    3 August 2026

    Reference date

    Career Compass: Taking the Next Step Sr. - July 2026

    13-17 July 2026

    One-week day course with a McMaster University tour and canoeing.

    Reference date

    Career Compass: Taking the Next Step Sr. - August 2026

    10-14 August 2026

    One-week day course with a McMaster University tour and canoeing.

    Reference date

    Registration opens

    8 December 2026

    2027 day-program registration; 7:00 a.m. local time.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 15-17.

    • Senior enrichment participants in Grades 9, 10, or 11.

    • High English language proficiency is required.

    • English language learners must self-identify when applying.

    • English language learners need an online assessment before acceptance.

    How much does Career Compass Taking the Next Step cost?

    Listed day-course fee

    $695 — Senior excursion-course rate; HST is additional.

    Funding or discounts

    • 2026 July session: $675 — Historical published fee; 13% HST is additional.
    • Cancellation deduction: $100 — Retained from registration payment per booked week.

    What's included

    Senior enrichment classes and group activities., Daily lunch, including a bagged lunch on excursions., McMaster University tour and group canoeing excursion.

    How to apply to Career Compass Taking the Next Step

    1. 1

      Create an account or sign in through Appleby's day-program registration portal.

    2. 2

      Select the senior Career Compass course and your preferred session.

    3. 3

      Identify any English language learning needs and complete the required assessment before acceptance.

    4. 4

      Review the registration email and welcome email for directions and classroom details.

    5. 5

      Preregister separately for Before & After Care if supervision is needed outside program hours.

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    What does Career Compass Taking the Next Step cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    The changing world of work

    Explore how technology, culture, and global industries reshape career paths.

    Strengths and interests

    Reflect on your interests and strengths while considering emerging opportunities.

    Planning and decision-making

    Develop approaches to postsecondary choices and adapting to a dynamic economy.

    University pathways

    Visit McMaster University to explore campus life and future study possibilities.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on Career Compass Taking the Next Step?

    A typical day during the program.

    First classroom block

    1.5 hours of classroom learning, followed by a break.

    Second classroom block

    A further 1.5 hours of instruction and classroom activities.

    Lunch

    Lunch is provided in the dining hall or bagged for excursions.

    Final classroom block

    2.5 hours of classroom learning completes the standard senior day.

    Who teaches on Career Compass Taking the Next Step?

    Appleby's enrichment instructors lead structured classroom discussions and group activities. Classes are capped at 15 students per session.

    Where do students stay on Career Compass Taking the Next Step?

    Non-residential plan

    • Campus day experience: Attend classroom enrichment at Appleby College with a university visit and canoeing excursion.
    • Daily lunch: Lunch is served in the dining hall, with a bagged lunch on excursions.
    • Additional care: Separately preregistered Before & After Care provides supervision from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Students without Before & After Care arrive at class and leave independently; supervision ends with programming.

    What happens after Career Compass Taking the Next Step?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    A clearer understanding of personal strengths and interests.

    More informed postsecondary and career planning.

    Firsthand insight into university campus environments.

    A certificate, with attendance at every program day required.

    Where does Career Compass Taking the Next Step take place?

    The course takes place at Appleby College, 540 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Its off-site excursion combines a McMaster University tour with group canoeing in the region.

    Career Compass Taking the Next Step FAQs

    The program explores the changing world of work, emerging opportunities, personal strengths and interests, and postsecondary planning. It directly aligns with the Civics and Careers curriculum.

    Students visit McMaster University in the morning and join a group canoeing excursion afterward. That day involves an earlier arrival and later dismissal, with exact timing communicated before the program.

    The standard senior-enrichment structure provides 5.5 hours of classroom instruction daily. The usual program day runs Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the excursion day follows a different schedule.

    Lunch is provided daily in the dining hall. A bagged lunch is provided when students are on an excursion.

    Students must bring a personal laptop or tablet and should bring a reusable water bottle. Cell phones cannot replace the study device or be used in class, and laptops or tablets cannot be used during breaks or lunch.

    Yes, but high English language proficiency is required. English language learners must identify themselves when applying and complete an online language assessment before acceptance.

    Students without Before & After Care make their own way to class and leave independently after programming. Before & After Care requires separate preregistration and provides supervision from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

    Enrichment participants must attend every program day to earn a certificate. Absences should be reported to the Academy office in advance, or as soon as possible if a student is ill.

    Alternatives to Career Compass Taking the Next Step

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    Students already interested in business

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    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Login | Appleby Summer International Priority
    • Login | Appleby College Summer Programs
    • Strengthen Academic and Leadership Skills with Appleby’s Summer Enrichment Camp
    • Appleby College Camps & Academies Code of Conduct
    • Appleby Camps & Academies Refund Policy
    • 2027 pROGRAM details coming soon
    • Book A Tour
    • Apply Now
    • How To Apply
    • 2026-27 Registration
    • Enhance Academic Skills with Appleby’s Summer Enrichment Courses | Programs in Leadership, Communication, and Critical Thinking

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 8 Oct 2026)

    • Course identity checked

    • Eligibility and language requirements reviewed

    • Historical session dates checked

    • Fee differences identified

    • Attendance and supervision rules reviewed

    • Day-program refund policy reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.