Career Advice for Indigenous Students

ABORIGINALHIRE.CA  ·  YOUTH CAREERS  ·  MARCH 2026

Career Advice for Indigenous Students

Even without formal work experience, you have skills from school, community involvement, sports, volunteering, and everyday life. These matter to employers — especially in entry-level roles.

•        Food service and hospitality — widely available, flexible hours

•        Retail — builds communication and customer service skills

•        Construction labourer — strong pay, leads to trades

•        Office assistant — professional environment, stable hours

•        Camp counsellor — leadership development, great resume builder

The skills you build now will compound over your entire career. Free online courses, ISET-funded training programs, and on-the-job learning are all accessible ways to grow.

A mentor who has walked a similar path can save you years of trial and error. Look for Indigenous professionals in your community or field and ask directly for guidance.

•        ISET — Indigenous Skills and Employment Training

•        Indspire — scholarships and bursaries for Indigenous youth

•        Aboriginal Hire — job listings across Canada

•        Band employment coordinators — community-specific support