Once a Badger, Always a Badger: Congratulations Graduates!

It’s that time of year again where a brand new group of Badgers move on to their next chapter. This could mean going to work, diving right into post-graduate studies, or taking time to travel and explore the world outside of academia. Whatever you have in mind, we want to help!

One of the greatest advantages that come along with being a Brock Badger is the fact that you will still receive so much support even after you finish your undergrad. So what’s next? Well, how about you start with seeing what CareerZone can offer you as a new graduate! Here are a few ways we can help you with your first step in a new direction:

CareerZone (the website)

Make use of CareerZone’s online resource Centre to have access to workshops, job postings, career events and more! To activate your alumni account, head to my.brocku.ca, look under “Activate your account” then select “Applicant, New, Returning Student or Alumni”.

Resume and Cover Letter Reviews

One of our most popular services, be sure to drop in for an on-the-spot resume or cover letter review, no appointment necessary! Bring in a printed version of your documents and we’ll provide you with feedback, templates, and writing strategies to help you keep your application up-to-date. If you’re unable to come in, email us at career@brocku.ca for an online review!

Interview Preparation

Now that you are likely searching for employment-especially within your field- we want to make sure that you are able to impress employers! From templates, online resources, to even scheduling mock interviews, we will make sure that you feel best prepared to walk into your next interview.

Job Search Strategies

Want help figuring out the best ways to search for jobs in your field? We’ve got plenty of resources and expertise in that area!

Experience Plus

This would be a great time to print off your Experience Plus transcript! You can include it in your application to graduate studies, or even jobs! You can track your experience on your my.brocku.ca. Contact the Experience Plus Assistant at expplus@brocku.ca for more details. 

Lydia Collins

Senior Career Assistant 

A Welcome Message from your Summer CA's!

School’s out…unless you took spring/summer courses.

Whether you’re still on campus over the next four months, back home, or around the region as a local, CareerZone is open for your convenience! From Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm, we will be here to help you with your career related needs. Before stopping in, it might be useful to know a few things! Here are a few reminders for what to know coming into CareerZone over the spring/summer months:

Who’s going to help you?

If you recall, last summer I was the face you seen in the office, but this time, there’s two of us! Myself, and fellow Career Assistant, Akayla, will be here over the next few months to assist you. Drop into CareerZone, or even just wave when you walk by!

We moved!

Some of our most exciting news for the summer is that we moved! CareerZone is now located in ST211 in the Learning Commons (just around the corner from our old space, next to the elevators by the librarian desk). Come check out our new home!

What we do

Here at CareerZone we focus on helping you with your career related needs. We provide resources for resume and cover letter reviews, further education information, interview preparation, job search strategies and much more! And even more exciting? We are a drop in service, so no appointment necessary!

So, there are a few things you should know about CareerZone. We hope to see you soon, and if you’re unable to drop in feel free to contact us via email at career@brocku.ca.  Enjoy your summer, Badgers! 

Lydia and Akayla 

Summer Career Assistants 

End of the year farewells!

That's a wrap! As the academic year comes to a close, we'd like to say thanks to all of our staff who contributed to such a successful year for the Career Education community (formerly Career Services). 

Additionally, we would like to pay tribute to some of our staff who will be heading onto new things after their time with us. These staff members have made valuable contributions to our department and we are going to miss them dearly!


Scarlet Stark

Scarlet will be ending her time here with us after working 3 years as a Lead Career Assistant!! Her friendly demeanor and amazing advice will make her greatly missed within the centre. She would have likely been the first person you see when you walked into the centre, for good reason too! She is always smiling and willing to go above and beyond to help students. Without her extensive knowledge about the vast resources Brock offers - we don't know what we will do without her!! Thanks Scarlet for some amazing memories that will truly be cherished. After graduating from the Psychology program, Scarlet will be working with the Student Engagement Office at the Goodman School of Business. We appreciate her for being such a great ambassador for Career Services and are proud of her accomplishments.

Daniel Moody

Although we only had a year together, Daniel has made a great impact on us. He was always eager to help students when they came in the centre and learn about new topics to better help students. He has an immense passion for the career community which we will miss! His friendly smile and enthusiasm towards his role has made him an exceptional addition to the Career Education family. Can't wait to see you around campus Daniel!

Julia Camilleri

One of our other Career Assistants, Julia, will also be graduating this term and working in the HR industry. Her extensive experience in the labour market was a great tool when answering student questions! We'll also miss seeing her friendly face on the phone when she would Skype into our meetings 😂😂😂. Thanks for always being so positive and optimistic! We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Tyler Harris

Tyler has also spent three years within the Career Education department as a Lead Career Assistant and has been a valuable asset to the team. Mr. Busy, you can find him at one of his jobs, clubs, or meetings. However, he always had time to spend with the the Career Education family! He went the extra mile when helping students and always had a way of making them feel comfortable within our environment. His approachability and eagerness to help around will be truly missed. We can't wait to see the great things he will surely accomplish in the future.  

Thank you all for the great memories and experiences we have shared together! We will miss you dearly and are excited to see what great successes you achieve. On behalf of your Career Education family we wish you the best of luck. 

#CSLove

Love, 

The Career Assistant Family

Questions You Should Ask In Your Next Interview!

I like to call the period of time between exams and summer "interview time"! So many students are looking for summer work or part-time work, which leads to a huge influx of students coming to the CareerZone looking for tips and tricks to nail that first impression and make a positive mark on the employer in an interview.

Often times, the primary focus in terms of preparation is going over potential questions you might be asked in an interview like "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" and "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?". Questions like these are great to practice ahead of time! 

However, one aspect of the interview that many students forget to think about is developing some questions to ask the employer in the interview. Not only does asking the employer questions in the interview show you know about the company, but it is also a sign of genuine interest in what the company is doing!

Here are some great questions you can ask at your next interview: 

1) What do you enjoy most about your job/the company?
2) What challenges could I expect to face if given the opportunity to work in this role?
3) Where do you see the company in terms of growth in the next 5 years?
4) What do you think are important skills to have to perform well in this role?
5) Are there opportunities for professional development or advancement? 

This is just a small sample of questions to consider asking in your next interview. Remember, the interview is not only a time where the employer learns more about you, it is also an opportunity to learn more about the company as well!

If you are looking for more assistance with interviews, check out our Interview Workshop on CareerZone! Be sure to check out InterviewStream as well (via CareerZone) for thousands of practice interview questions! Wondering what a specific company may ask you in an interview? No worries! GlassDoor is a great site for finding out the experiences of others who have interviewed with certain companies so you can better prepare your answers and potential questions to ask the employer.

Thanks for reading!

Scarlet Stark
Psychology Major
Lead Career Assistant 

5 Tips to Prepare for Interviews

There are plenty of ways you can prepare for an interview. Whether you have experience with interviews or are going into your first, you should always go through steps to prepare. Here are a few tips to follow while going into an interview:

1.   Rehearse Some Sample Questions!

There are some questions that are often asked in interviews. It’s good to rehearse your answers to these possible questions beforehand. For example, one of the most common questions asked is, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. Since this is such a common question and it’s about you directly, employers expect your best answer!

2.   Do Your Research!

A lot of companies look for employees who share their same values. Along with that, they like to make sure you fit in with the culture. By taking a few minutes to go over the company website you will generally be able to get an understanding of what they value. You’ll also get a sense of the culture as well; you can relate back to these values during the interview session.

3.   Prepare Questions to Ask.

Usually at the end of an interview the employer will ask if you have any questions for them. It’s good to prepare a couple quick questions. This gives the interviewer the sense that you are actually interested in the job. Along with that, it gives you the opportunity to learn a little more about the role/company.

4.   Dress Appropriately

While going into an interview, it’s always best to over dress rather than under dress. Professional business attire is always recommended when going to an interview. Also, bring some writing material with you. It’s always a good idea to bring a binder or a folder with paper and a pen.

5.   Read Over the Job Posting

Reading over the job posting gives you an idea of the kind of work you will be doing, the skills needed, and qualifications that are desired. This gives you the opportunity to think of situations from your past work experience when you have used these skills. Along with that, it may give you an idea of any situation questions the interviewer will ask. Lastly it prepares you to answer any questions based on your qualifications. If you don’t have a specific qualification, (i.e. Smart Serve,) you can simply mention you have plan on getting it.

For more information on interviews you can go to https://careerzone.brocku.ca workshops tabs in the Online Resource Centre!

Thanks for Reading!

Daniel Moody

Career Assistant

Business Communication Major

Reading Week Career Events!

Hey Badgers!

Reading Week is just around the corner, and I know many of you might be using this extra time to job hunt! As you know, we strive to provide students with events that will allow them to network, learn more about various companies, and gain meaningful employment - whether it be part-time, full-time, or just for the summer! Check out the list below of the career events happening in the area over Reading Week:

Reading Week Career Events (Posted on CareerZone too!)

• 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa Job Fair - February 19th - 12pm - 4pm - 124 Queen Street - Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
• Morton's Grille Job Fair - February 21st & 22nd - 10am - 7pm - 5881 Dunn Street - Niagara Falls, ON
• Niagara Parks Career Fair - February 25th - 10am - 2pm - 5881 Dunn Street - Niagara Falls, ON

 Other Career Events During Reading Week (Not Posted on CareerZone)

• Lowe's Canada Regional Hiring Day - February 25th - 9am-4pm - All participating Lowe's stores

Keep in mind that our events do not stop beyond Reading Week! There are a TON of events happening as we move into March! The best way to not miss out is to login to CareerZone, click "Campus Career Events" and mark down anything you are interested in your own calendar!

Thanks for reading Badgers! Have an excellent Reading Week!

Scarlet Stark
Lead Career Assistant

Is My 'Dream Career' In Demand?

One important aspect of ANY job search is to consider demand. Demand is often times overlooked, leading to frustration when it comes time to job search! For example, you may be very passionate about History and, because of this, have decided to major in History. You may also have a very clear career goal of becoming a Museum Curator once your degree is completed. All of this is great - BUT, I would urge any student to consider the demand for your 'dream career' or 'dream job.

Investigating career demand is an important aspect of any career exploration process because it is beneficial to know the outlook for specific sectors. It can also assist with making choices about the next steps you might need to take to land your dream job, like graduate school or additional professional development. For example, if being a Museum Curator requires graduate school but the demand for Museum Curators has dropped in recent years, it might not be a worthwhile investment in the end if you can not find employment in your desired field. However, it might be worthwhile if the demand has increased for Museum Curators and many jobs are available within this sector. As you can see from this example, doing some research regarding the sector you wish to work in can help you make informed career decisions, all the while helping you determine your next steps!

If you are looking to determine whether or not the job or career you wish to get into is in demand, career exploration is a must! Check out the Government of Canada - Labour Market Information website.This site utilizes NOC codes (codes associated with specific job titles within specific sectors) to organize the projected career outlooks for a wide array of areas of interest! If you are looking for work within Canada specifically, this would be the site to consult in terms of finding out the demand! Click HERE to find out the projected outlook for your dream job!

In addition, Career Cruising, available FREE to Brock students via CareerZone, allows students to easily look up the NOC code associated with the occupation of interest!

Thanks for reading!

Scarlet Stark
Lead Career Assistant
Psychology Major

I'm Graduating Soon... What Now?

Fall Convocation at Brock is quickly approaching (only 5 more days!) and I wanted to firstly congratulate ALL new graduates on finishing your post-secondary journey! If your silently wondering "What the heck do I do now?" do not worry! It is quite normal to feel this way! Just know that Career Services can help in a variety of ways!

For starters, you are not denied our online or in person services once you graduate! If you find your student login no longer works after awhile, all you have to do is create an alumni account and you will again have access to all of our online resources. In addition, you can drop in and visit us in person, no appointment necessary!

This brings me to my second point: PLEASE check the events tab on CareerZone if you are actively job searching. Next week alone we have TD, the Ontario Internship Program, and the YMCA on campus, all of which are looking to recruit! Some events require registration which is why I would highly recommend new graduates to check out the events on CareerZone at least once a week to stay in the loop!

Lastly, do not be hard on yourself if you do not find a job right after graduation! This is the case for many graduates! The key is to try your best, remain active and diligent in your job search and always seek out feedback when in doubt! We offer resume and cover letter reviews to help you with the feedback part and can even assist with portfolio creation and LinkedIn profile creation as well! We also have some great interview resources so you can nail that first impression and answer any interview questions with ease and confidence!

Congratulations again new grads!

Scarlet Stark
Lead Career Assistant 

GETTING INVOLVED!!

Have you dreamed about getting involved either on campus or in the community?

To experience Brock in the best way possible, go through ExperienceBU!

ExperienceBU is an online site for Brock students. On the page you can learn about clubs at Brock, upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Additionally, you can locate the campus wide co-curriculum (CWC) here!

As a third year student, I can say that getting involved at Brock has been the highlight of my experience in University. Through an on-campus job with Career Services, Involvement with various clubs, and representing Brock University at various conferences I have had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in the Brock community.

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Through my involvement I met some amazing people who have now become close friends, I've gained valuable skills and experiences, and had a lot of FUN! I could not imagine what my university experience would have been like without getting involved.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, I have also had the opportunity to network with industry professionals and gain valuable connections that will benefit me once I begin applying for full-time jobs.

When you do decide to get involved, you can track your experiences on two different locations: Experience Plus and ExperienceBU.

Experience Plus is located on the my.brocku.ca student portal under student self serve menu – Career Services. This is where you will track your volunteer hours, on-campus jobs, and any professional development.

ExperienceBU located at experienceBU.brocku.ca, allows you to locate involvement opportunities and track them through the campus wide co-curriculum (CWC).

Did you know?

At every 20% interval of completion of the CWC, you are eligible to be entered into win amazing prizes!! Just another reason why getting involved is so beneficial.

At the end of the day, the resources and opportunities are available for you to get involved, it’s up to YOU to take the initiative to look into these opportunities. For further questions or resources about getting involved, drop by the CareerZONE and speak to one of our Career Assistants who would be glad to help you!

Sean Pereira
Sr. Career Assistant

Meet the Staff!

Kara

Resource Coordinator and Faculty Liaison

Kara has devoted her life’s work to supporting the career development needs of students in higher education.  As Resource Coordinator and Faculty Liaison with Career Services at Brock University, Kara provides career coaching and facilitates support services to help students explore career possibilities, identify skills, and find meaningful work.  Kara is also a part-time student in the Masters of Education program at Brock University.  Outside of work, Kara loves spending time with her family and friends, playing competitive music trivia, and is a lover of food and wine.

                                                   

Scarlet
Lead Career Assistant 
Scarlet is in her last year of the Psychology program here at Brock! She is also a Research Assistant in within the Psychology department, and a Lead Career Assistant for Career Services! Scarlet looks forward to having a fabulous final year at Brock and hopes to see some new and familiar faces in Careerzone. 

Tyler 
Lead Career Assistant 
Tyler is a Lead Career Assistant in CareerZone. He is also the President of the Psychology Society (club was able to increase the membership by 76% in 48 hours.) He also plays a variety of music which has led him to travel internationally both teaching and performing. He hopes all of the Badgers have a great year!

Lydia

Senior Career Assistant 
Goofy with a love for cats, Lydia is a fourth year English, Language and Literature student with a passion for writing and social issues. This is her second year working in Career Services! She is very involved on campus, and enjoys assisting in personal development and watching people achieve their goals.

Sean
Senior Career Assistant 

Sean is a third year Accounting student with a minor in Applied Computing. This will be his second year with Career Services. In his spare time, you can find him getting involved with The Goodman School of Business, dancing, and watching Netflix. Sean is so excited to meet new faces at Brock!

                                          
          

André
Senior Career Assistant 
André is a third year Business Administration student at Brock. He is a Senior Career Assistant and Mentorship Plus Assistant. This year, André is excited about the opportunity to spread his knowledge of Brock with new students and help people find jobs. 

Chelsey
Career Assistant 
Chelsey is in her second year of the Honours Psychology program (Co-op.) She is excited to work at CareerZone this year so that she can help students find their passion and incorporate it into a career!

              
Daniel

Career Assistant 

Daniel is a second year Kinesiology student with a love for sports, exercise, nutrition and politics. He looks forward to working with a good team and helping other students find jobs!

Akayla
Career Assistant 
Akayla is currently in her second year at Brock, in the Biomedical Science program. She is a member of the Brock Leader's Citizenship Society and has been involved with many on campus initiatives. A few of her personal interests include traveling, volunteering, and trying new things! Akayla is very excited to work at Career Services because she gets to be in a team environment and help other students succeed!

Julia
Career Assistant
Julia is a 4th year Labour Studies major who is passionate about her program. She is a friendly green tea lover who enjoys being adventurous and trying new things. There are so many great reasons why she is excited to join the Career Services team. Most importantly, as a Career Assistant she is able to help students achieve their goals!

Victoria

Career Assistant 

Victoria is in her second year at Brock in a combined Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Sociology. She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and anything that is Game of Thrones related. Victoria is excited to have the opportunity to assist other students in preparation for their futures!