My Journey at Career Services

At the end of April, my 3-year tenure at Career Services will come to an end. There has been somewhat of a Mancuso legacy here at Career Services; my sister Lia worked here for 3-years and became a Lead Career Assistant, and then I joined in the following year and worked for 3-years to also become a Lead Career Assistant! Career Services has been a vital part of my undergraduate career at Brock as it has helped shaped me to be the person I am today. I had the privilege of working with many talented and incredible people during my time, and I am excited to see what the future holds for this team.

Straight from the heart, I want to thank each and every Career Assistant who I worked with at Career Services during my 3-years; Ben, Jami, Brittany, Nella, Ashley, Becky, Erik, Alysha, Mike, Tyler, Wajeeh, Sarah, Kaitlyn, Scarlet, Simon, Monika, Sean, Lydia, and Andre. Each and every one of you had a profound impact on my development and my university life. I loved learning from each and every one of you and I really enjoyed mentoring all of the Career Assistants who came after me. Every year I worked here I learned something new from everyone I worked with. I also owe much of my success and my incredible time here to our supervisor, Resource Coordinator & Faculty Liaison Kara Renaud. Without your guidance, I simply would not be the same person I am today. That being said, I wanted to share some key pieces of advice that I learned while working here and throughout my university career.

DON'T LET OPPORTUNITY PASS YOU BY!

I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to do when I graduated - I wanted to run my own hockey team as a general manager (like many aspiring Sport Management students think when they start university). I found that the more classes I took, the more clouded my career path became. In contrast, it was the volunteer and work experiences that did not directly relate to my career that ended up shaping who I want to be and my career path and goals. Simply put, you are a product of your environment. Living in a stagnant environment where you laser-focus on one particular job and only take experiences that directly relate to that end-goal is extremely limiting. 

Want to keep things exciting? Take that Ultimate Frisbee Referee volunteer position (note: it does not have to be ultimate frisbee or refereeing for that matter) and your entire world will change, albeit in a minor way, but enough to broaden your horizons. For me, being a painter for a summer and then being presented an opportunity to run my own painting business the following summer was life-changing. Painting does not relate to Sport Management, but the transferable business, marketing, training, customer service, and other skills are invaluable. I also worked at a pool store and learned invaluable customer service, problem-solving, and sales skills. Don't judge a book by its cover - don't let an opportunity pass you by! Consequently, understanding what you don't like is just as important as understanding what you do like. Use Career Services and CareerZone to identify opportunities and nail the interview. On that note...

YOU HAVE TIME - VOLUNTEER AND WORK.

There is a school of thought that in University your studies take up 100% of your time. That is a lie. Stop telling yourself that. Time management is an acquired skill that cannot be taught, only experienced and improved on with real-life experience. I know that some degrees are more demanding than others, and making sure that you have high grades is very important and school should always be your first priority. That being said, you would be surprised by what you are capable of if you challenge yourself. When backed into a corner of deadlines and limited time to study, you can excel and lift yourself to new heights. It does not have to be insane, but even volunteering a few hours of your time every week or working some evenings and weekends will limit the amount of time you have to do the things you already do. This is where fight-or-flight kicks in, and you can fight the time restrictions and become more efficient and productive in the time that you have. I found that the more I took on (to a point, of course), the more productive I was with my time and because of that my grades actually improved over when I had more free time.

As an aside, the purpose of going to university is to eventually get a job. Employers want to see what else you have done besides complete your degree - in the end, you and your entire graduating class have the exact same piece of paper... what is distinguishing about you? Maybe your proven time-management skills and experience on top of your degree! Trust me, you are capable of incredible things. We all are. Don't believe me? Read the next one. 

NEED A CONFIDENCE BOOST? TRY NEW THINGS!

When I started University I didn't know anyone and only really knew my sister at Brock University. I was extremely introverted and shy, and it was to a point where I couldn't even look people in the eye when I talked to them. It was that bad! And I know there are a ton of people out there who deal with the same feeling or even worse. My advice to you, as cliche as it sounds, is to try new things. What got me over that feeling and the shyness was challenging myself to take a small step outside of my comfort zone and try new tasks. For me, it started with making a bigger decision and buckling down to apply at Career Services. What helped me make that big decision, however, was a combination of small changes in my life. It was a combination of going on runs on different trails, listening to new bands, trying sushi, learning how to build my own computer, trying golf (and being terrible at it!), painting small miniature models, and more. It doesn't have to be huge, it can be small things that you can do on your spare time that changes your world in ways you cannot imagine.

From a career perspective, it can be as simple as taking on new tasks at your job and helping people in different departments. Maybe volunteer at an organization that has nothing to do with your career goal. Take a workshop that YOU want to take. Update your resume and cover letter with Career Services! The more you try new things and update your life, the more possibilities present themselves. I went from not being able to look people in the eyes when I talk to them to thriving in everyday interaction and client assistance. I did not do anything special to make this change. You can do it too, trust me! 

Lastly, I would like to end with a quote that has defined the way I look at life now. I've always loved Rise Against and their rebellious, cause-oriented style of rock. This song urges us to make a move and go against the norm. Take action, do what is right, and don't wait for something to come to you. For those who took the time to see me at Career Services, the students, alumni, and community members who I performed hundreds upon hundreds of document reviews for, and most importantly the people I worked with, it has been my pleasure.

"Echoes of songs still lurk on distant foreign shores

Where we danced just to please the gods 

that only ask for more

So it goes

But still we give ourselves to this
We can't spend our lives waiting to live" - Rise Against "The Dirt Whispered"

Anthony Mancuso

Graduating Lead Career Assistant

Honours Bachelor of Sport Management

Embrace the Chaos

Embrace the Chaos

                For some people, finding a career path can be as easy as finding what they want to do, and then getting right in. For most people, this may not be the case. Imagine dropping a ping pong ball in a dark room. We don’t know where the ball will land, but we can use mathematical formulas to pinpoint where the ball may land. A process like this can be a metaphor for the easier way of finding a career. Now imagine dropping the ping pong ball into Times Square, New York. Where the ping pong ball lands is unpredictable, which is similar to the way the career finding process will be for many.

                There are methods to navigate this madness. One method is to identify what cluster of jobs may work for you such as working with people. Using this example, there are many skills such as communication a person can develop which is transferable inside of the service industry.  Another method is to know that help is there when you need it. The Career Resource center at Brock University have people who are there to act as a guide to show you various resources that can help you navigate the Career Field.  

Often times, what can help an individual with the Career decision-making process are a series of chain reactions. An example of this is obtaining skills that would help towards a cluster of jobs, then finding employment into a career you never seen yourself in, and then developing in that section. Embrace the unexpected. Know those things may not go as planned, and roll with it. Make a series of small choices that will help influence the larger picture. Lastly, look at things in the big picture. Looking at things in a microscope can make things overwhelming. Take a step into overseeing the whole scheme of things and see how a domino effect can happening by making a choice. We would be honoured if we got to be a part of that process. 

http://www.careeroptionsmagazine.com/articles/applying-chaos-theory-to-career-development/

Tyler Harris 

Sr. Career Assistant

Interview Success

We all know interviews can be overwhelming and intimidating; here are a few tips to worry less about interviews and obtain employment. The day before the interview leave yourself enough time to look over the job posting, do research on the company, and take 5 minutes to reflect on each job you have had and experiences you could potentially use. Take advantage of Career Services and book a Mock Interview, which provides excellent practice by virtue of a simulated interview, or go on Interview Stream and answer interview questions and listen to your responses. This is a great way to refresh yourself on the job you’re applying to as well as previous experiences you have had. 

In addition I write down my top 3 strengths and weaknesses with a statement on how I am improving the 3 weaknesses. In my experience I have been asked to identify my strengths and weaknesses, therefore when the question arises I am able to quickly and confidently answer. I also like to write down the most important skills for the position because it reminds me which skills to highlight and discuss in more detail. By following these tips you can fight the nervousness of interviews and improve your chances of employment by being confident and communicating effectively. 

André St-George

Career Assistant

BBA Co-op

The Search is on for Summer Jobs!

The warm weather is quickly approaching and we're all getting ready for that dreadful search- the search for summer employment. Here at Career Services, we do our best to make your summer job search as effective and pain-free as possible. Here are a few tips: 

How to Find the Perfect Summer Job

The key to finding the perfect summer job is remembering that it might not currently exist. As important as it is to look for positions that align with your personal goals and passions, remember that gaining valuable experience comes in many different ways! Rather than looking strictly for a job within your field of study, focus on finding a position that interests you- even if it doesn't necessarily fit into your "perfect job" category. Many skills are transferable and can be used in various roles, so instead of asking yourself what type of job you want, ask yourself what kind of problems you would like to solve or what skills you'd like to gain. 

Where to Look

Go to Careerzone (careerzone.brocku.ca) to take a look at positions that are available on and off campus. Many on-campus summer jobs have the potential to extend into part-time positions in the school year.  Here are a few on-campus services that you could apply to this summer:

• Brock Dining Services
• Brock University Students' Union (B.U.S.U)  
• Brock Human Resources
• Recreation Services
• Student Life and Community Experience

Off-campus jobs also have their benefits, here are some general job search sites that can help you land a position within the Niagara Region:

• http://www.jobbank.gc.ca
• http://www.jobgym.com
• http://www.indeed.ca
• http://www.wowjobs.ca
• http://talentegg.ca 

When to Look

Don't wait, start now! One of the biggest misconceptions students have regarding summer job searching is that they have to wait until the summer to start. Many employers prefer to begin their hiring process months in advance. You can find summer job postings as early as January! Start your process now and make your chances of getting summer employment higher. 

How to Prepare 

Preparing for your job search can seem difficult at times. Drop by the Career Resource Centre or email us at Career@brocku.ca for interview tips and job search strategies to help you land a summer job that you enjoy!




Lydia Collins
Senior Career Assistant

Resume Reviews & Why You Should Get One!

Getting your resume reviewed is crucial in today's competitive job market. A second set of eyes never hurts and can also help with figuring out whether or not your resume is appropriate for the job you are applying for. However, many neglect this step in the resume editing process. Why? Because many of us don't have the time! Job hunting can take hours and writing personalized cover letters and tailoring your resume can be a job within itself! Luckily, most post secondary institutions (including Brock!!) offer review services to make sure your documents are looking good before you start applying to different positions. Here are THREE reasons you should utilize resume review services:

1. Subjectivity 
When we as individuals are working on and editing our resumes, we often times overlook obvious errors simply because we are being subjective. Perhaps we might even avoid being too hard on ourselves since the job market is hard enough sometimes! But this subjectivity can lead to missing things which could make or break the strength of an application! Spelling errors, typos and alignment are the three most common errors made when creating resumes. Getting a quick review can help prevent a small mistake from costing you the job of your dreams.

2. Content
Many of us have the standard categories in our resumes: Work Experience, Volunteer Experience & Education. However, there are many other categories which can be utilized! Getting your resume reviewed may open your eyes to new headings you can utilize to highlight your experiences! For example, having a "Special Skills" section is a great way to highlight language and technical skills. 

3. Opportunities
If you are working on your resume right now, chances are it is because you are looking for paid or volunteer opportunities. By getting your resume reviewed, you can not only ensure you are representing your skills and experiences in the best way possible, but you can also find out about opportunities through simply visiting a career centre! Our Career Assistant team at Brock is super knowledgeable about current and upcoming opportunities and we love helping students find that perfect position that suits their unique needs!

So what are you waiting for? Look up your nearest career resource centre and get your resume reviewed today! And for all Brock students, getting a resume review is MUCH easier than you think! Simply bring a hard copy of your resume (or cover letter or CV!) to the Career Resource Centre in the Learning Commons and we can review it in roughly 15-20 minutes! We are also FULL of information about job hunting, interviews, career events and much more! Check out our website by clicking HERE. Also, don't forget to follow us on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brockcareerserv/
Twitter: twitter.com/BrockCareerServ
Instagram: www.instagram.com/brockcareerserv/?hl=en

Have a great day!

Scarlet Stark
Sr. Career Assistant
Psychology Major 

Succeed at Career Events!

The On-Campus Jobs Fair recently wrapped up at Brock and it was a huge success! In light of this event, I thought a blog on how to prepare in order to succeed at career events might be a great way to help guide students for future career events on campus and elsewhere.

Prepping before the event to do well during the event is necessary to succeed! In order to prepare yourself, keep these 6 factors in mind:

1. Do your research!Find out which employers will be at the event and check out their website! This will help you tailor your documents as well as give you an opportunity to come up with questions you may have about the company that you can ask at the event!
2. Review the opportunities!Many employers post the positions they are looking to fill prior to the career event itself. Check these out! See which positions speak to your knowledge and skills! Again, this will help you tailor your documents and allow you to go into the event with focus!
3. Define your KSA's!Knowing your Knowledge, Skills & Abilities allows you sell yourself to employers! Figuring out what you have to offer employers prior to the event will help you sell yourself to employers during the event! It will also help you develop your elevator pitch!
4. Develop an elevator pitch!It's important to be able to describe yourself, your skills and where your headed career-wise briefly and concisely! Jot down what you want to tell employers about yourself and how you want to be remembered by them and practice this pitch! This will allow you to introduce yourself to employers in an efficient manner, while still highlighting who you are and what your goals are!
5. Bring your documents! And ask for documents!Go to the event equipped with resumes & business cards! And make sure to grab any information sheets or business cards from the employers/recruiters! They are handing this information out for a reason, typically to inform you of the company and how to get in touch with them! You may want to bring a briefcase or professional looking bag to store your documents in too!
6. Dress the part!
Dress professionally! If you are unsure how to go about this, it wouldn't hurt to use your friend Google to look up the company and see what employees typically wear to their career events or on the job! See the photo to the right for help with this!

Thanks for reading! Come visit us at the Career Resource Centre for any questions/concerns you may have regarding career events! We are always happy to help!

Have an excellent day!

Scarlet Stark
Sr. Career Assistant
Psychology Major 

What Can I Do With My Degree?

“So you want to be a lawyer or the Prime Minister?” This is often the comment I get from people when I tell them I am a political science major. As someone who works in a Career Services department and who has no interest in entering politics or law this is an incredibly frustrating statement. For those of us in the social sciences and humanities, we and society in general often minimize our job prospects to the handful of well-known careers in our respective fields. For instance, those in psychology may believe that they can only be psychologists. Those in history may believe they can only be historians, archaeologists, or archivists. Those in English may believe they are on a path to becoming authors. For those like me in political science, we often assume our degree will lead to a life of long hours, travel and scandal as politicians or as a lawyer. 

We seem too focused on jobs that incorporate the knowledge we gain in our degrees. This may be the case for those in other faculties and science/math based programs. For instance, most students in the Faculty of Education want to become teachers, while many people in the nursing program have ambitions to become nurses or healthcare providers. However, for those of us in the social sciences and humanities, our job prospects are not as cut and dry and for many of us, we have no idea what we want to do after we graduate. Adding to this frustration of seeing those in other programs know what they want to do, the countless “studies” and articles written about degree career prospects all show that we as social science and humanities students are doomed to be unemployed after graduation and suffer a lifetime of under-employment. What is the purpose then of our degree? Did we waste all our money and time? Short answer - NO!

A popular question we get as Career Assistants in the Resource Centre is “what can I do with my degree?” To this I often ask if they know who Martin Dempsey is. Dempsey is a US General and former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reporting to the Secretary of Defence and the US President. As one of the highest ranking military officials in the United States, Dempsey holds a Master’s degree in Literature from Duke University where he wrote a thesis on Irish literature. Dempsey serves as a great example of someone who had a meaningful and successful career outside the "traditional jobs" English majors occupy. Like Dempsey, we must look beyond the information we learn throughout our degree and look more broadly at how we learn and engage with course material in order to better understand a) the skills we can bring to an employer and b) the endless job possibilities available to us. 

Instead of knowledge, those of us in social sciences and humanities should focus on transferable skills. Organization, teamwork, communication and leadership are all transferable skills that we gain throughout our undergraduate degree and are invaluable in any workplace. We gain these broad transferable skills by attending lecture and recording notes, preparing and presenting in seminars, researching and writing papers, and so on. Aside from these broad transferable skills your program may focus on more specific transferable skills. A full list of degree specific skills can be found on our degree exploration guides. By thinking outside the "traditional jobs" of our fields and focusing on the transferable skills we gain throughout our degree, those of us in the social sciences and humanities will find that a diverse selection of jobs and industries are available to us. While jobs directly related to our degree may be hard to come by, our degrees give us the skills we need to succeed in other job categories. 

Don’t be tied down to the restrictive list of traditional jobs for your field, think outside the box and DO NOT give too much weight to the studies that underestimate your degrees worth. Every degree and graduate is unique and can bring something to an employer. Stop by the Career Resource Centre in the Learning Commons and let us help you realize your degree’s value and job prospects. 

Mike Pratas
4th Year Political Science Major
Lead Career Assistant 

Seasonal Jobs & Potential Permanent Positions

It's December and seasonal employment positions seem to be everywhere! Many retail stores are on the hunt in order to find the perfect seasonal employees to help them survive the most wonderful - yet most busy - time of the year. For many, seasonal positions are ideal. It's a chance to get some extra hours over the holidays when money can get tight. But for others, seasonal jobs just don't fit the bill. Perhaps something more permanent is what they had in mind.

If you are hesitant about your seasonal employment opportunity because of a lack of permanency, have no fear! I have come up with a few tips to turn your seasonal employment opportunity into a possible permanent position.

To Infinity & Beyond
Try and view your seasonal position as a permanent one. And if you are interested in a more permanent position within the company, be sure to express this to superiors right from the get-go! It's easy to act indifferent if you think you'll be out of a job in a matter of weeks so try and think beyond the word "seasonal". View the position as one with infinite potential rather than limited potential!

Presence & Productivity
Being present and productive are key when it comes to seasonal opportunities. Being present includes being on time and being aware of what is going on around you. By being present and aware, you will see opportunities for productivity. Use these opportunities to your advantage to not only show that you are a hard-working, capable, and valuable employee, but also to highlight that you have initiative and you are not afraid to use it!

Following & Leading
At any new job, we must shadow more seasoned employees and ask questions in order to learn more about our position. But once comfortable, flex those leadership skills! Take on a project or ask your superiors for opportunities to take on new tasks or be the leader for a particular initiative. Never be afraid to ask for leadership opportunities within your position - it shows that you are not afraid of a challenge which is something all employers love to see in their employees!

If you find out your seasonal position will end soon even after you've done all that you can to make it permanent, keep the below tip in mind:

It's Not You - It's Me...
Remember that many employers might not have the means to keep you given their budget or number of allowable employees after the holiday season ends. But don't take it personally! In that case, it's not that you weren't a good employee, it's simply that they don't have the room for an additional employee. This is by no means a reason to burn bridges and is not necessarily a jab against your skill set or abilities! Always leave seasonal opportunities on a good note because you really never know when an opportunity within the company might come up again. And if you are interested in these opportunities, communicate this to your superiors so they can contact you as opportunities become available.

As always, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with our resources!

Happy Holidays everyone! 

Scarlet Stark
Sr. Career Assistant
Psychology Major 

#ItAllAddsUp

Next week the #ItAllAddsUp campaign will start here at Brock. The It All Adds Up campaign encourages students to figure out how they are making their university experience all add up to the career of their dreams in order to inspire other students to pursue their goals with everything they've got! As students, we all know classes, assignments, and grades are very important as far as our overall career goals. But there are many other things that we are doing as students outside of the classroom as well that truly make a huge impact on achieving our career goals and personal aspirations. Essentially, everything we are doing is all adding up!!

From volunteering to going abroad for a semester, to attending campus events or workshops, there are SO many ways students at Brock and other universities can add to their skills gained from their degrees! If you happen to be a Brock student, utilizing Experience BU to stay on top of upcoming events, workshops, and on-campus happenings will allow you to not miss out on the experiences that matter the most to you! And on top of this, we even have a way to track how you are making your experiences all add up through the Experience Plus Co-Curricular Transcript!

So now it's your turn to tell us how YOU are making it all add up by visiting our booths around campus next week:

Booth Times/Locations
November 2 - Computer Commons - 9-11
November 3 - Computer Commons - 1-3
November 4 - MC A Hallway - 9-11
November 5 - Computer Commons - 9 - 2
November 6 - MC A Hallway - 9-11

Can't make it to any of these booth times? No problem! This campaign is also accessible for students to participate in virtually! Take a picture of yourself showing how you are making it all add up and use the hashtag #ItAllAddsUp and #BrockU on social media (Instagram/Twitter/Facebook) to inspire fellow Brock students and students from other universities across Canada to get involved and pursue their goals with passion and integrity! Click here to check out the It All Adds Up website for even more details on this campaign!

Oh - one last request:

Don't forget to like us on Facebook & follow us on Twitter and Instagram! By clicking these hyperlinks, your only a few steps away from connecting with us and there's nothing that excites us more!

Have a great day everyone!

Scarlet Stark
Sr. Career Assistant
Psychology Major 

Track Your Experiences!

Now that we are a few weeks into school, I'm sure many of you have had the opportunity to attend a campus event or activity, sign up for a club, or maybe you've started volunteering already! But did you know you can track these experiences too?

Well the secret is out! You totally can track your experiences! And not just in one way, but TWO ways!

Want more details? Then keep reading!

Experience Plus is Brock's co-curricular transcript program and the first of it's kind here at Brock! Not only can you track your experiences (which include on-campus jobs, volunteer hours, awards/certificates, professional development and workshops), but you can also earn a certificate for your volunteer hours through Volunteer Plus (for more info, click here), as well as get your official transcript printed which includes ALL of the experiences you've inputted that are verified. To get started, head to my.brocku.ca/portal/ then go to the Student Self Serve menu. The tab on the left that says "Career Services" is where you would go to track your experiences (under "Student Data") and request your transcript to be printed. The transcript can be presented to employers to highlight your involvement and is also a great addition to a career portfolio!

Experience BU is Brock's student involvement portal and is the best place to find out about upcoming events and activities happening around campus and within the region as a whole. And not only does Experience BU provide you with event details and local happenings, you can also track your experiences through the Campus Wide Co-Curriculum which encompasses different facets of experiences, from Arts & Culture to Career Prep (which we can help you with!).  Click here to explore the different curricula you can complete, as well as events and activities which you can track on your Co-Curricular transcript!

Now that you are in the "know" of how to track all that you do here at Brock, why not get started! If you would like our help with anything, please stop by the Career Resource Centre and speak with one of our student staff! We are all trained on how to use both Experience Plus and Experience BU and can help you navigate these platforms successfully!

Have a great day Badgers!

Scarlet Stark
Sr. Career Assistant
Psychology Major

Faculty Focus: Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences here at Brock encompasses many different individual programs which include child and youth studies, communication, economics, film, geography, labour studies, policing and criminal justice, political science, popular culture, psychology, social justice and equity studies, sociology, tourism and environment and women's and gender studies. There are many different directions one can go with these programs, which is great! Here are some resources to explore your options:

                                         Resources in the Centre/Online

Programs

• Cafe Connect (for more details, click here)
• Mentorship Plus (for more details, click here)
• Experience Plus (for more details, click here)
• Experience BU (for more details, click here)

Books (ALL books are located in the centre)

• So You Want To Be A Lawyer, Eh?
• Careers in Childcare
• Careers in Communication
• Careers in Social and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Careers in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality
• Great Jobs for Criminal Justice Majors
• Great Jobs for Environmental Studies Majors
• Careers for Environmental Types and Others Who Respect The Earth
• Great Jobs for Political Science Majors
• Great Jobs for Sociology Majors
• Opportunities in Childcare
• Opportunities in Forensic Sciences
• Opportunities in Psychology 

Resources

• Degree Exploration Guides (to see yours, click here)
• Faculty of Social Sciences Resume Sample Binder
• Government Jobs and Uniformed Services Binder
• Post Grad Studies Binder
• Brock Plus Programs Binder
• Go Abroad Binder
• Considering Grad School/Social Work/Law School Handouts
• KOM Consultants Binders
• Sociology Portfolio Sample

Don't forget to come visit us in the Career Resource Centre for any questions, concerns, or inquiries you may have about finding work, volunteer, or other opportunities in your field! And remember, if you can't make it into the centre, head to Careerzone and access our Online Resource Centre right from your couch! How awesome is that!

Scarlet Stark
Psychology Major
Brock University

Schedule, Plan, Prioritize: The Student Juggling Act!

School can be a challenge all on it's own. From papers, to readings, to lectures, to tests - there is no shortage of things to do! But most of us have prior obligations on top of our school duties that we have to take care of too. Whether it be working, volunteering, making time for family and friends, or even making time for ourselves, going to school and juggling life's other duties can be extremely difficult. Why is this? Because there are only so many hours in a day! So how can we juggle it all? By following these simple steps:

Schedule

Making time for everything is only possible if you schedule. Scheduling means you are allotting time to get a task done. Whether it's an essay, a shift at work, or a night out with friends, scheduling will allow you to do it all! How? Because you'll know what you need to do, when you need to do it, and how much time you realistically have to get it done. A great way to avoid not 'biting off more than you can chew' is by simply scheduling! Most phones have a scheduler and even the option to be alerted when you need to do something - what a life saver!

Plan
Planning ahead can also alleviate the stress of juggling life, school, work, and other obligations by allowing yourself time to prepare what you need to in order to get the task done! Maybe you need to visit the library before you start that paper; or maybe before your friends birthday bash, you need to prepare a cake and pick up a gift - whatever the task or tasks may be, making a plan of attack allows you to break down what you need to do into steps in order to reach your goal. Planning and scheduling go hand in hand; scheduling allows you to set aside time whereas planning allows you to decide how you will allocate that time you set aside.

Prioritize
Imagine you had a list of things to get done, but no timeline or end goal for each task. How would you decide what to get done first? It would be difficult, wouldn't it! Prioritizing what's important will help you get tasks completed that need to be, allowing you ample time for those tasks with open ended completion dates. That paper may be due next week, but that night out with your room mates has no due date! So why not get all that writing out of the way so you can enjoy a night out with friends afterwards? Even though prioritizing sometimes means putting off fun for responsibilities, it allows you to get your main priorities in check which will not only make you feel good, but will make that fun night out even funner!

It's as simple as 1-2-3! And remember, we at Career Services at Brock are here to support students while they juggle everything. If you need to find work or volunteer opportunities, need help deciding on a career path, or even just want to discuss your different career options, schedule some time to come visit us. We can help you make a career plan and prioritize what steps to take in order to reach your goals! Thanks for reading!

Scarlet Stark
Psychology Major
Brock University

Faculty Focus: Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities here at Brock encompasses a vast array of programs which includes Applied Linguistics, Canadian Studies, Classical Studies, Dramatic Arts, English Language and Literature, History of Art and Visual Culture, History, Interactive Arts and Sciences, Intercultural Studies, Liberal Arts, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Music, Philosophy, Studies in Art and Culture, and Studio Art. As you can probably imagine, the career options for Humanities students are endless! Here are some resources that can help you explore your many options:

Resources in the Centre/Online

Programs

• Cafe Connect (for more details, click here)
• Mentorship Plus (for more details, click here)
• Music Ed Plus (for more details, click here)
• Experience Plus (for more details, click here)
• Experience BU (for more details, click here)

Books (ALL books are located in the centre)

• The Successful Artists Career Guide
• 101 Careers in the Music Business
• The Music Industry Handbook
• Great Jobs for Theatre Majors
• Great Jobs for Foreign Language Majors
• Great Jobs for History Majors
• Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors
• Opportunities in Cartooning & Animation
• Opportunities in Foreign Languages
• Opportunities in Interior Design/Decorating
• Opportunities in Museums
• Opportunities in Visual Art 

Resources

• Degree Exploration Guides (to see yours, click here)
• Faculty of Humanities Resume Sample Binder
• Classics Portfolio Sample
• Dramatic Arts & Theatre Binder
• Careers in Video Games Binder
• Post-Grad Studies Binder
• Brock Plus Programs Binder

With all these great resources, why not begin exploring your career options! Also, don't forget to come visit us in the Career Resource Centre for any questions, concerns, or inquiries you may have about finding work, volunteer, or other opportunities in your field!


Scarlet Stark
Psychology Major
Brock University 

Faculty Focus: Applied Health Sciences

Starting now until Mid August, each faculty here at Brock will be blogged about in order for students to gain insight into the different resources, services, and programs we offer here at Career Services for all the different faculties within Brock.

Our first faculty of focus will be Applied Health Sciences, a diverse faculty ranging from Child Health programs to Sports Management. Even though this faculty includes a wide range of programs, we offer resources to suit all students within this faculty! Here is a breakdown of resources geared towards Applied Health Sciences students:

Resources in the Centre/on Careerzone

Programs

• Med Plus Program (to find out details about this program, click here)

Books (ALL books are located in the centre)

• Opportunities in Health & Medical Careers
• Opportunities in Hospital Administration
• Opportunities in Medical Imaging
• Opportunities in Laser Technology
• Opportunities in Sport & Fitness
• Top 100 Healthcare Careers
• MCAT Prep Book

Resources

• Degree Exploration Guides for each major within the Applied Health Sciences faculty (ie. Child Health, Community Health, Medical Sciences, Nursing, Physical Education & Kinesiology, Public Health, Recreation & Leisure Studies, and Sports Management which can be accessed online by clicking here or come into the centre)
• Faculty Specific Resume Samples (in the centre or Online Resource Centre; to access online, click here)
• Portfolio Samples for Sports Management and Kinesiology (in the centre ONLY)
• Considering Medical School Resource (in the centre or Online Resource Centre; to access online, click here)
• Entrance Exam & GPA Conversion Resources (in the centre or Online Resource Centre; to access online, click here)
• Careers in Healthcare Resource (in the centre or Online Resource Centre; to access online, click here)

So there you have it! Be sure to check out all of these helpful resources and come visit us in the centre soon for all career related questions, concerns, and assistance! Have a great weekend!

Scarlet Stark
Career Assistant
Psychology Major

Smart Start 2015!

Looking back and reflecting on my first year here at Brock University, the first word that comes to my mind is "chaotic". I had a hard time navigating my way around campus, had little knowledge of the resources available to me, and did not get involved in any on-campus activities. Now I am in my third year at Brock and I am not only an extremely active member on campus, but I am also well versed on all that Brock has to offer me as a student! But instead of being like myself in first year, why not start university on the right foot? Luckily, there is a way for new Brock students to start university with an arsenal of knowledge on how to become an active member of the Brock community!

Smart Start is a program implemented by Brock University to help make the transition to university seamless for first year and mature students. Aside from getting the grand tour of Brock facilities and faculties, new students will also get the opportunity to visit the Career Resource Centre and our expo table to begin thinking about career options and exploring different degrees and skills, and to find out about all the great involvement opportunities that Brock has to offer, like the Mentorship Plus Program!

Whether it be tips or advice on getting an on-campus job or exploring the different career options based on faculty and program, we at Career Services are all about providing the resources students need so they can reach their career goals and their fullest potential during their time here at Brock.

In order to keep up with all that we have going on at Career Services, my best advice for incoming students is to follow us on social media. Upcoming events, new resources, professional development, employment opportunities, as well as tips and tricks on everything from interviews to social media for job searching are posted regularly on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Click HERE for our Twitter page and HERE for our Facebook page and get in the loop today! See you at Smart Start!

Scarlet Stark
Career Assistant
Psychology Major

Linkedin for Students

If your a student and do not already have a Linkedin profile of your own, follow these 5 easy steps and you'll be on your way to utilizing one of the best social media platforms for job searching and professional networking!

1. Choose Your Picture (Wisely!)
It doesn't have to entail booking a professional photo shoot, but there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. If you are making "the duck face", are with a large group of people, or are engaging in non-work related behavior in the photo (chugging a beer with friends or crowd surfing at a concert), it might not be the wisest choice for your Linkedin photo. Remember, Linkedin is for you to connect to professionals & employers and is really about making a good first impression. So make that impression count and keep your photo as professional as possible.

2. Make Your Headline
Your headline is one of the first things others actually read on your profile before they get to the other content. Highlight what you are currently doing and what you are looking for. For example, "Student at Brock University" isn't eye catching and is rather vague. A headline like "Marketing BA Candidate at Brock University Seeking Internship Opportunities in Business Promotions" is specific and informative.
                

3. Write Your Summary
As the section title suggests, summarize what you are currently doing and mention your goals and future plans as well as any other skills or interests related to this. Make sure your content is concise yet professional! And if you'd like, mention opportunities you are looking for! This will help your audience figure out your overall objective professionally and may lead to connections which can aid you in reaching your goals.

4. Add Your Experiences
This includes: work experiences, volunteer experiences, professional development, certifications, diplomas/degrees and awards (to name a few). Obviously, you may not have content for every category, but that's perfectly alright! Just like with a resume, you don't need to have an experience for every section. However, adding your experiences may highlight areas you could be working on or areas in need of improvement. For example, if you have no volunteer experience, perhaps it's time to explore some volunteer opportunities so you can implement that section into your profile.

5. Customization
Adding work samples, photographic examples and content, creating a personalized URL, and adding specific keywords to your "Skills" section are all ways you can customize your profile and set it apart from the rest! Linkedin is constantly updating the ways in which you can customize your content, so keep in mind that customizing your profile will be an ongoing work in progress, much like a resume!

So there you have it! A simple guide to creating the perfect student Linkedin profile! And don't forget, we offer free drop-in Linkedin Profile Reviews here at the Career Resource Centre at Brock. Using our newly developed criteria checklist, we can go through your profile and ensure that the content is the best it can be. Additionally, we offer handouts on building your student profile and are more than happy to aid in any way possible! So what are you waiting for? Get Linkedin today!

Scarlet Stark
Career Assistant
Psychology Major 

Con-GRAD-ulations!

First, I'd like to take a minute and say, on behalf of the Career Services department here at Brock, a big congratulations to all those students who are graduating! Through the good and bad, you stuck it out and get to leave Brock not just with a BA, MA, or whatever degree you were pursuing, but with the satisfaction of knowing that all the hard work and sleepless nights have finally paid off!

With that being said, the Spring Convocation ceremonies are right around the corner! The ceremonies and celebrations are taking place beginning on June 9th and ending June 13th, 2015. Be sure to head to http://brocku.ca/registrar/grad to find out when to attend.

This year will also mark the first year that Brock is holding a Convocation Twitter Chat on June 3rd at 2pm! Simply login to Twitter and follow #BrockUGrad to stay in the loop and get all your questions answered! Our handle for Twitter is @BrockCareerServ, so be sure to follow us to get all your questions answered and to find out how to kick start your career! For more information about the Convocation Twitter chat, head to http://brocku.ca/registrar/grad/twitterchat.

Finally, don't forget that here at Career Services, we are dedicated to providing you with the tools you need to succeed both as students, and as alumni. From career document review services to job search help, we encourage all new graduates to make use of our resources and our services to get the head start they need in establishing their careers following graduation!


Scarlet Stark
Career Assistant
Psychology Major

Spring & Summer Updates

Spring has officially sprung here at Brock University and Summer is just around the corner! With the change in weather comes a few changes here at the Career Resource Centre.

Firstly, for the Spring and Summer,the Career Resource Centre will be open for all your career related needs from 9am-4pm Monday to Friday from May 4th to August 28th excluding holidays. The Centre will be closed for training week August 31st to September 4th and will re-open for Fall term the following week. 

Secondly, the team of Career Assistants will return (along with three new hires!) in September 2015. In the mean time, I will be taking over the operations of the Career Resource Centre for the duration of the Spring and Summer and will be happy to assist you with review services and career related guidance!

Thirdly, I have a ton of exciting blog posts coming up for you all! The month of May will focus on Career Planning and how to effectively go about this so be sure to stay tuned!

That is all for updates! Have a fabulous day everybody!

Scarlet Stark
Career Assistant
Psychology Major 

On-Campus Jobs for Next Fall - Start Looking Now!

The time to look for next falls on-campus jobs is now! A common mistake we see at the Career Resource Centre is that students will come into our centre in September looking for on-campus jobs for the school year. However, these jobs actually hire for those positions in the Winter semester prior! Therefore it is important to start looking now - some jobs have already been posted, and some jobs have already been hired for. If you want to work on-campus during the 2015-2016 school year, now is the time to apply!

Job postings will begin to flood the job-search websites below for on-campus jobs:
- careerzone.brocku.ca
- busu.net
- brocku.ca/dining-services/employment
- experiencebu.brocku.ca
- brocku.ca/student-life-community-experience

Here are some places to apply that will be posting on these websites!
- Campus Book Store
- Footnotes
- Career Services
- Health Services
- International Services
- Student Development Centre
- Brock Press
- Campus Security
- Computer Commons
- James A. Gibson Library
- IT Services
- BUSU Office
- Youth Univeristy
- Isaac's
- Guernsey Market
- Starbucks
- Union Station
- Walker Cafeteria

... and so much more.

Remember, Career Services can help you every step of the way. We can review your resume and cover letter, help you apply to jobs on CareerZone, and even help you with your interview skills! By taking advantage of our services and taking our advice you increase your chances of getting a job.

Good luck applying to on-campus jobs!

Anthony Mancuso
3rd Year Honours Bachelor of Sport Management
Senior Career Assistant

Quick Overview: College Post Graduate Diplomas VS Masters/ PhD

 We talk a lot about different career paths on this blog, but sometimes we need to refocus on how to get there. You can find the job but what if you don't have the right qualifications? In order to avoid this scenario it is important to work backwards from your dream career to identify the education path you will need in order to obtain that job in the future.

In general: One is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on you, and your life goals.

• College level post graduate certificates give you practical skills for a particular job, or small sector of jobs. These certificates compliment your undergraduate degree and prepare you for the workforce.
• Typically 8 months - 1 year
• Offered in a variety of subjects
• More focused, practical, and economical
• Can serve as a bridge to a masters program

• Masters/ PhD programs vary and are based around research, teaching, and writing. If you are not passionate about those big three things, perhaps a masters/PhD program is not the best fit for your interests.
• Typically 1-2 years of full time course work
• Offered in a variety of subjects: Broad career fields
• Upfront costs are typically much higher than graduate certificates
• Necessary for certain careers ( Professor, Doctor, etc)

In the job market today, it is becoming more common to need a masters degree to obtain senior management positions, or a college instructor position.  To teach in a university setting, a PhD is almost always required. Researching your chosen career path, along with taking an honest look at the job market demands should help you decide which avenue is right for you.

If you need help deciding on which way to go, please come in to see us! We have college program information, and plenty of MA and PhD information and preparatory books. We would be happy to show you around CareerCruising and help you identify the relevant education needed for your chosen career path!

Becky White
Lead Career Assistant
4th Year  BA Tourism and Environment