Spring break has arrived for high school students in Calgary! As students return from well-deserved vacations, they may feel panic thinking about Monday closing in, when school resumes in full swing. Most of us are in shock at how quickly the first half of the semester went by, realizing that final exams will be upon us in less than 3 months. As you reflect back on how your school year has gone, the feeling of “not doing enough” or being “behind” all your peers may arise.
If you feel like stepping out of your comfort zone, adding something new to your resume, or setting yourself up for success as summer vacation approaches, keep reading for information on upcoming opportunities for Calgarian teens!
Career Day: Youth Central
- Date: April 11, 2026
- Time: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
- Location: Platform Innovation Centre, East Annex
- Registration Form
About The Opportunity
Hosted by our very own Mayor’s Youth Council here at Youth Central, Career Day aims to give Calgarian youth exposure to various professions through panels, Q&A’s, and several guest speakers. This year, youth are welcomed to network with individuals from fields like law, healthcare, business, and engineering. This event is free, and guests will be provided with complimentary snacks, as well as the opportunity to participate in a raffle!
Why Should You Participate?
Deciding on your future career is a big decision that seems to arrive way too soon for high school students. This life-changing choice puts lots of pressure on teens. It’s quite unrealistic to expect a 17-year-old to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives, and it certainly shouldn’t be an expectation. Instead, attending events like Career Day will allow youth to gain insight into the professional world without the stress of having to make a monumental decision with no previous background information. Youth can explore various fields and receive advice firsthand from experts in diverse industries. Planning for life after high school will be less daunting after gaining exposure into possible post-secondary pathways. When your senior year rolls around, you won’t have to make decisions completely unprepared!
CAREERS Internship Fair
- Date: March 31, 2026
- Time: 6:00-8:30 pm
- Location: Notre Dame High School
- Registration Form
About The Opportunity
CAREERS Next Gen is an organization that aims to foster connections between youth and employers, facilitating communication and streamlining the process of receiving an internship. This internship fair will feature booths with employers from a wide range of industries seeking potential employees. Students are advised to bring copies of their resume and come prepared with questions to ask employers.
Why Should You Participate?
Students looking for a summer internship, a part-time job, or even just wanting to explore potential pathways after high school will find this fair to be incredibly eye-opening. CAREERS does the work of hunting down available employers for you. If you attend, you receive the chance to speak with professionals directly, and you may even snag an interview from a company or two! For youth feeling lost and apprehensive about traditional post-secondary pathways, this internship fair will alleviate those worries and present a plethora of hands-on learning experiences for students to explore. If online job-finders aren’t working for you, this internship fair might be the answer.
Calgary Public Library: Youth Volunteer Programs
- Date: Applications ongoing throughout the year
- Location: Various library branches throughout the city
- Link to Apply
About the Opportunity
The CPL offers several programs for teenagers in Calgary to dedicate their time to as volunteers. Anyone above the age of 12 can apply and choose which programs they would like to help out with. For example, you may choose to volunteer with the math tutoring program, working with younger kids to develop their numeracy skills, or the Reading Buddies program. If coding is more your style, or even art, there are programs for those as well.
Why Should You Participate?
If a part-time job, internship, or other long-term commitment just doesn’t work for your schedule, volunteering at the Calgary Public Library is a great way to build your resume while maintaining flexibility in your schedule. You earn volunteer hours in a relaxed environment and develop leadership skills without the pressures that come with a corporate position. Using your experiences from volunteering, you can enrich your university application while giving back to your community. This is an enjoyable, low-stress experience with a high reward!
City Of Calgary: Summer Student Jobs
- Application Deadline: Check specific positions for precise deadlines, but most roles will not accept applications past April 30, 2026
- Location: City-wide
- Link to Opportunities
About the Opportunity
The City of Calgary hires hundreds of students every summer for roles in parks, recreation, water services, and even office administration. They have unique job opportunities in various locations throughout the city, all catered towards teens. Most of these positions start at above minimum wage, making it one of the best-paying summer options for students.
Why Should You Participate?
Working for the City of Calgary gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how our city actually functions. Whether you’re interested in urban planning or just want to spend your summer outdoors in the parks, it’s a great professional endeavour that proves you can handle responsibility and work within a large, reputable organization. By applying today, you can set yourself up for success and be prepared for the summer. This experience will allow you to develop valuable skills that are vital for any future career.
TELUS Spark Volunteering
- Check the website for specific application deadlines. Summer camps run from July to August.
- Location: TELUS Spark Centre
- Link to Apply
About the Opportunity
TELUS Spark is looking for enthusiastic high school students (ages 14+ for camps, 16+ for general roles) to join Team Purple. As a Summer Camp Volunteer, you can spend your weeks helping kids dive into hands-on STEM projects, from introductory coding and robotics to cooking and chemistry. You’ll lead games, manage workshops, or help campers navigate the facility. If you prefer a more variety-filled schedule, you can also apply for Interpretive Science roles, where you work in the galleries like The Health Zone or Creative Kids Museum, explaining the physics of the exhibits or assisting with massive events like Spark After Dark.
Why Should You Participate?
Volunteering at TELUS Spark is a chance to go from being a student who simply learns science to a leader who can actually communicate it. For anyone interested in pursuing competitive fields like medicine, engineering, or research, the ability to translate complex theories into something engaging for the public is a massive professional advantage. Beyond the resume boost, TELUS Spark offers a unique environment where you can network with professional educators and scientists while earning perks, like specialized reference letters for university and free passes for your family.
TL;DR
Spring is the season of fresh starts, new beginnings, and new experiences. There’s no better time than now to get involved in your community. Here are a few exciting opportunities for you to explore!
- Youth Central Career Day (April 11, 2026)
- CAREERS Internship Fair (March 31, 2026)
- Calgary Public Library – Youth Volunteering
- City of Calgary – Summer Student Jobs
- TELUS Spark Volunteering
By participating in unique opportunities, you can enrich both your mind and your resume. 😉