Volunteering: A Huge Investment in Your Future

Volunteer experience is an investment in your professional development and can be the added value that you bring to a potential job or career opportunity. One of the most valuable things I have learned during my four years at Brock University is the extreme importance of getting involved and volunteering my time. Between attending lectures, participating in seminars, hitting the books, and writing assignments, we are constantly learning as university students. Sometimes this means the value of getting involved can be overlooked amidst the chaos of juggling academic and personal responsibilities. Here are five reasons why you should consider volunteering your time with a club, organization, or charity (if you haven’t already).

1.  Gain Employable Skills. Volunteering is a great way to gain the (transferable) skills employers are looking for. Even though you’re not getting paid for the experience doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable than the skills you gain from a paid position. Your experiences as a volunteer can be translated onto your resume to highlight qualifications in areas such as communication, time management, teamwork, organization, leadership, etc. 
2. Giving Back to Others. Charities, organizations, institutions, and (especially) clubs rely on volunteers to help make projects and certain initiatives come together successfully. In many cases, the need for volunteers stems from strained resources or budgetary limitations. Getting involved in on- or off-campus opportunities helps create a better environment for others, and can significantly improve the health of communities. 
3. Connections, Connections, Connections! Getting involved with certain projects, events, and initiatives as a volunteer can open a ton of doors in your personal and professional network. In many ways, volunteering is a great opportunity to network informally with like-minded individuals from different backgrounds. If you leave a good impression, who knows what opportunities might unexpectedly pop up in the future? It could help you tap into the dreaded hidden job market!
4. Test Career Options. Volunteering is a great opportunity to test out different career options, whether you have an idea about what you want to do or not. Getting involved may help you realize what you’re truly passionate about, what your strengths and weakness are, what kind of organizations you’d like to work for, etc.
5. Admissions for Further Education.  If you’re thinking about continuing on to Further Education, volunteering becomes incredibly important for admissions and grant applications. While that GPA is important, having relevant volunteer experience can certainly set you apart from other applicants.

Where can you search for volunteer opportunities? A fantastic place to start would be VolunteerFEST, which is happening Thursday, September 17 from 10AM -2PM in the Guernsey Market. There will be organizations from all over Niagara for you to engage with and learn about different volunteer opportunities. Sign up with an organization you’re passionate about and volunteer with them throughout the year!

I encourage you to visit us at the Career Resource Centre for more information about where you can find different volunteer opportunities. We have plenty of resources inside the Centre, as well as online at careerzone.brocku.ca for your benefit. We're open from 9-4:30pm every Monday to Friday.

Kaitlyn Daw, English Language and Literature Major

Senior Career Assistant

Using Linkedin for Career Success!

It's one thing to simply have a Linkedin profile, but it's quite another thing to utilize this platform to maximize the amount & caliber of job opportunities that come your way. This is a rather simple thing to do that involves utilizing the job search function, working within your network, and joining or following groups, organizations, and companies you wish to work for!

The job search function on Linkedin is a great starting point to begin using Linkedin for career success. Using Linkedin, you can search by job title, keyword, company name, and company location. You can even save jobs to apply to later, save your searches, and look at past applications! In this sense, Linkedin helps you organize and plan your job search, making it super easy to hunt and apply for the perfect position.

You can even discover jobs within your network without even searching, allowing you to leverage your connections! At the bottom of the "Jobs" page on Linkedin, you'll find jobs coming from within your network, meaning you can easily reach out to your connections for details about the job or find out information regarding hiring and interviews for that particular company. This is a great way to use those already made connections to your advantage while you are job searching.

But beyond just utilizing the "Jobs" tab on Linkedin and working within your already established network, there are also other ways to find the position of your dreams and achieve career success. Joining groups or following companies or individuals which relate directly to your skills and career goals is another way to search for employment. By joining these groups and following these companies, you will be notified when positions become available without even searching! You can also begin making connections with other professionals within these groups and companies in order to expand your network and learn more about the industry you wish to work for.

Another great way to expand your network is to follow professional associations and related to your field. For example, I follow the American Psychological Association (I'm a psychology major!), which allows me to learn more about professions in psychology while also allowing me to join discussions and network with well established professionals. Check out our Degree Exploration Guides to find the associations that relate to your major!

With platforms like Linkedin becoming more and more popular, it's clear to see that we've come a long way from the traditional format of physically handing in resumes to employers which has truly made the duties of the job seeker much more simple and streamlined. So what are you waiting for? Job hunt the easy way by utilizing Linkedin for career success!

Scarlet Stark
Career Assistant
Psychology Major

Networking for Success!

Here is a common scenario which virtually everyone has encountered at some point in their lives: you need a new job or some career advice, and you're unsure who to turn to or where to go for help. One commonly overlooked and often underutilized tool to help with this is networking!

Networking involves sharing knowledge and contacts, helping others, and building relationships. Networking is NOT bluntly asking those you know to give you a job! This is an important distinction because many people make the mistake of thinking that networking is a way for others to do the work for you when really networking is simply a tool to help make your life easier through reciprocation - helping others and getting help in return. 

In order to utilize the people in your network for job search help or career preparation information, you firstly need to identify who your network is. Is it composed of coworkers, managers, teachers, or maybe even your neighbors? Your network can come from anywhere and can encompass a wide variety of people with different areas of expertise. Most people only begin to reach out to this network when they are in need of career help, but it is crucial to maintain these relationships even when you have found the job of your dreams, as you never know when you will be in need of help, especially in today's unpredictable job market.

Secondly, perspective matters! A good way to view your network is like writing a resume; it is a continuous process which requires updating, attention, and individual effort in order to thrive. By viewing it as an ongoing process, you will always be in the loop with those in your network, and because of this, they will be happy to help you when you are in need. If you ignore those in your network until you need something, they may not be as eager to give you a hand. 

Finally, be sure to effectively utilize online platforms for networking. This is especially useful for contacts from past jobs or those people in your network who have moved away or whom you don't see often. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can all be used to stay connected with your network and are extremely effective in regards to expanding the network you currently have. One important note is not to randomly network; always have a strategy or a reason for why you are reaching out to someone, in order to utilize these online platforms appropriately and effectively during career development and job hunting.

As the old saying goes, it's not always what you know, but who you know! Using these simple tips, you will be on your way to developing and utilizing your network as effectively as possible to enhance the caliber of job opportunities that come your way and to help with career development. Happy Networking everybody!

Scarlet Stark, 3rd Year Psychology Major, Career Assistant 

LinkedIn 101

Just created your LinkedIn profile and wondering what to do next?  To get the most out of it, it is important your LinkedIn profile is as complete as possible.  Here are some tips to get you started…

• Your Profile Picture: Although you may like the picture of yourself at that party on Friday night it is not an appropriate picture for your LinkedIn profile. Your photo should be professional and not with friends or of anything without YOU in it. According to LinkedIn professional profile photos are 7 times more likely to be found in searches.
• Your Summary: Keep it professional. Speak to your goals, qualifications, and your experiences and use key words/skills relevant to your industry to help others find you.
• Your Experiences: Avoid copying and pasting your resume or job descriptions but try to summarize each position using key words and relevant skills. If possible upload examples of your work/projects you’ve been working on to further showcase your experiences and achievements.

Stay relevant by updating your profile on a regular basis with your professional activities. Doing so will keep you on people’s radars and update potential employers on your most recent career advancements and achievements. Those with complete profiles are 40x more likely to receive opportunities through LinkedIn, so it is well worth spending 5 minutes to update your profile!

Connecting with People on LinkedIn

You’ve created a profile and have finished updating it, now it’s time to network and connect with people. When sending other users invitations to join their network never send the standard LinkedIn request.  If you’ve met before mention a few details about where and when you met. Additionally, be sure to mention why you want to connect whether it be for career advice or they work in an industry/company that you are interested in. 

Stop by the Career Resource Centre for all your LinkedIn questions and for more resources on how you can make the best LinkedIn profile possible!

Mike Pratas, 
Political Science Major
Senior Career Assistant

Business Cards - Benefits of Using Them

Business cards are great - they allow you to connect with people and give you the opportunity to leave a lasting impression, through your personal brand summarized on your card along with your contact information. Meeting new people and making new connections is a vital component of both career search and career growth; quite often, acquirement of a job and advancement in a career comes down to who you know not what you know. Basic human error, as always, complicates this! People make mistakes, get caught up in the moment, and forget names, people, and conversations. A business card serves as a reminder of who you are, what your brand is, and your contact information.

"A person's name is to him or her the sweetest and 

most important sound in any language." - Dale Carnegie

What I mean by personal brand is the style, design, and purpose of your business card. Sure, you could have a plain-as-day business card with just your name and contact information on a white background, but often it is the style and design of the business card that outlines the purpose of it. It reflects your own, or your company's values, and differentiates yourself or your company from others. Is it visually appealing? Is it simple, yet elegant? Or is it cluttered with information? Do you include a picture of yourself on it, or a quote that summarizes your personal brand? Or is it a standard business card that all employees at your company use? Is it too professional, or not professional enough?

This is a great example of a very-unique card... it looks like Google!

Here are some benefits of using business cards:

- Helps new connections remember you
- Grows your network/business
- Reflects your personal brand
- Reflects your company values
- Differentiates you from the competition
- Conveys contact info
- Opportunity to demonstrate your creativity!
- Shows professionalism and legitimacy
- Enter business-card raffles at restaurants
- ... And so much more

There are plenty of benefits to having a business card, even if you do not have a job yet. As a student or someone looking for work a business card is a way to make connections, to help new connections remember you, and to demonstrate professionalism and legitimacy for yourself. As someone with a job, a business card is a way to help you advance in your career much in the same way that someone without a job would use them. Business cards are not just for business either - a teacher could find use of a business card as well. They are very applicable to nearly every profession.

They are also very cheap to make! It is economical, even on a student budget, to use websites such as vistaprint.ca to order a few hundred business cards with plenty of options for design. Many universities offer these services to students, including Brock! With so many benefits, it is worth considering getting some business cards to help promote yourself, and protect yourself from human error!

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

Networking: What it Really is and Why it Matters

Networking is an intimidating beast - what is it exactly and why do we do it? Most importantly, what does networking really mean? This blog post will hopefully answer some of these questions, as networking means something different for each individual.

Networking in its most basic definition is making professional connections. These connections can be made by meeting new people and developing professional relationships with those you already know. You can network through your education, via your classmates, professors, teaching assistants, and other faculty. You can also network through employers, via your employees, your supervisors, and through liaison with other organizations.

There are also events designed specifically to network, where professionals from a field or industry all gather to make connections.

Networking is much more than just making professional connections, however. Aside from the professional aspect of networking, it is making a friend or acquaintance in your personal network. It is promoting your brand (who you are as a person), rather than making connections. Networking ensures that you are, as a person, a part of the whole. I like to follow a quote, that puts it in perspective as to why we network:

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." ~ John Donne (1572-1631)

Its benefits are numerous and impossible to list off without having the world's longest blog post, but here are a few important benefits to networking:
- becoming more known in your industry
- future work prospects
- friendships with a professional bridge
- free advertising for your company, product, and most importantly your brand
- growing a list of professional connections in your industry
- gaining knowledge and different perspectives in your industry
- opportunity to access the hidden job market
- mentoring opportunities (opportunity to be mentored or to mentor)
- practice in socializing
- professional development opportunities

... and so much more.

I encourage you to read fellow CA Becky White's post on creating your own personal brand (click here).




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

New Resources and Training Week Hours!

Is it almost back-to-school time already...

With only two weeks left until we jump into a new school year, we have been busy receiving updated books and magazines for the Resource Centre and also preparing the materials for our Career Assistant Training Week!

If you are just as excited as us to get back to school, you will be excited to hear about the new resources we have to offer to the Brock community. We have extended our book collection in the areas of online job search, networking, and using social media professionally to build your personal brand. These are key areas to gain knowledge in if you are going into your graduating year and planning to hit the job market! Please feel free to come in and browse these resources!

We have also updated our online job postings board website! It has a great new look and feel to it and is now easier to use then ever! However, CareerZone is not only a job posting board, it also includes an Online Resource Centre full of resources, information and handouts for students to use to develop their career documents and improve their job search! It also holds a Career Services Events calendar that lists the upcoming job fairs, workshops, and other career related activities around campus. Make sure you check out the new and improved CareerZone.

As for next week...

During our Career Assistant Training Week the Resource Centre will be closed. It runs from Monday, August 25th to Friday, August 29th. We will be reopened for the new fall semester on Tuesday, September 2nd. Our hours of operation at the Resource Centre starting on September 2nd will be Monday to Friday from 9am-4:30pm.  

Niagara Artists Centre: STRUTT Call for Submissions!

In Niagara we are lucky to have a great community that loves art and culture! The Niagara Artists Centre is a part of that community and they are looking to help artists show their wearable art this year! If you are studying Visual Arts or you are a graduate from Visual Arts you can appreciate this opportunity that NAC is offering.

Currently, I am going into my third year of Visual Arts, concentrating in Intermedia and Design. I know I want to take my career in a direction that uses the applications of other media to impact lives. Opportunities like this one help me discover how I can do that. It also builds up great experience on your resume and in your portfolio! Another great thing about not only showing your work but also just attending the event! Attending the event is a great way to network with other artists and professionals and gain connections within this community. You can learn a lot from talking with someone who has had years of experience within this field.

If you are living in Niagara and has a passionate interest in wearable art and transforming the human body then check out this website for more information about submissions: http://www.nac.org/calls-for-submissions/strutt-wearable-art-runway-show/

Below are some photos from STRUTT 2013

Online Resource Review: Ten Thousand Coffees!

In a time when networking is one of the most important aspects of job seeking, meeting up with a professional for coffee would be a fantastic learning experience. Ten Thousand Coffees is an online mentoring website for students and recent grads to use to connect with professionals in a wide range of fields. Ten Thousand Coffees lets you create a profile and then look up different professionals by industry. For example: Finance, Arts, Marketing & Ad, Science, etc. After finding someone with a desired career of yours you can look at their profile to read a little bit about them and then decide if you want to meet with them for coffee, email them, or call them.

     Having a conversation with someone who has years of experience can help you pursue your own passions and dreams. Along with that you will instantly be networking with people who are developed in their careers.    
     The professionals on Ten Thousand Coffees are able to help give you advice on your career, job searching, what qualifications people are looking for and how you can go about finding opportunity. They are giving their time to act as a mentor to the next generation.
     If you're interested in getting more information on the job market, a specific industry, or just some over all career advise then I recommend you try out this resource! It can be a lot of fun browsing through the profiles and thinking about what you would ask them if you had the chance. Now you do have the chance so don't be shy :). We would love to know what you think of it, comment below with your thoughts!

Resource Review: The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success!

Here at Brock University we try to help students with as much as we possibly can. Something that has become a very popular question from our students is how to use LinkedIn effectively for job search and networking. Lately we have received some new resources to add to our library that can help answer that question.

The resource I am going to be focusing on is "The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success" written by Wayne Breitbarth. This is a great how-to book on one of the fastest growing social media platforms out there today. The reason why it is so popular? It helps lead people to networks, personal branding and of course careers.The world has become increasingly globalized in the last decade that we depend on sites such as LinkedIn and networks to connect us with professionals all around the world.

Breitbarth explains how LinkedIn can be used as a tool, just like a hammer or drill. It has a reason and can be used to do a job correctly. To obtain success from LinkedIn he lays out a formula to follow:

Your Unique Experience + Your Unique Relationships + the Tool (LinkedIn) = The Power

Breitbarth also says that along with these 3 components is how you display yourself online. Everything from your photograph to your headline are important things to keep in mind. Professionalism is key to having a successful LinkedIn account. 

Later, he explained how joining groups and making connections with professionals is important for those especially looking for jobs and connections. Joining groups will increase the likelihood of you becoming discovered over LinkedIn. LinkedIn may be a new and developing tool to use but if you combine what you know with who you know you will see how it can be rewarding. 

The best part of this resource in my opinion is the Profile Perfection Checklist it gives us at the end. It reminds you about all the tips and tricks throughout the book and how to use them. This is a great resource for university and college students looking into their future. Come in to visit us in the library to check it out for yourself!  

Alysha-Lynn Kooter, Graphics and Promotions/Career Assistant, Intermediate/Senior Concurrent Education, Visual Arts

Alternatives after graduation

If you’re like me, the idea of settling into a career after graduation can be intimidating. Not that I don’t want to find the right career for me, I’m just not sure I will want to do it right away.

The fact of the matter is, as a new grad, you are at your prime right now to discover the world. Now more then ever is it accessible for you to do so. Here is a quick list of alternatives after graduation:

1)      Take a gap year. We all know of somebody who has taken the world by storm, hopped on a plane to a foreign country to travel, volunteer, or sometimes work. It may take some planning and saving but the cultural awareness and worldly views that you will obtain may be one of the greatest experiences of your life. There are many ways you can go abroad and many programs you can do this through. Here are a few favourites:

·         www.projects-abroad.ca

·         www.swap.ca

·         www.gooverseas.com

2)      Freelance. Freelancing is another way to gain experience outside of the typical 9-5 job. If you are a freelancer it means that you are your own agent, you create your own market, and you provide clients with the services you would like to give. Some popular industries for freelancers are graphic design, web development, branding, and information technology. Freelancing is a good way to network and figure out where you would like to find a career. You have the unique ability to work at your own pace and only do projects that interest you.

3)      Go for a paid internship. Many people use internships as a way of getting out of their towns and experiencing a new one. Internships last anywhere from 6-16 months and they give you a good chance to see if that kind of job is right for you. Internships can also be rewarding for building your network. The more people you know, the more jobs you will be aware of.

You've worked hard for the last four years, and taking some time to gain real world experience can really be beneficial in the long run. Experience culture; experience the new borderless world that lies ahead. If you aren't going to do it now, then when will you!

Alysha-Lynn Kooter, Career/Graphics and Promotions Assistant, 3rd Year Education and Visual Arts

Be the competition: Connect with Grad LINK!

Networking is something that is becoming more essential between new grads and employers. The hidden job market is where you will find 80% of jobs, and the key to finding them is through your network.

Career Services strives to help you find employment after graduation. With convocation just ending last week, we know that Brock grads are eager to find jobs! The Grad LINK Network on LinkedIn will connect you with Career Services staff, employers, and your graduating peers. Through the LinkedIn Network, we share career and employment related information to help you prepare for transition from school to work.

As part of the Grad LINK Network you will have access to:

• Highlighted job postings
• Employer recruitment/ networking sessions
• Career related articles and information 

Ready to register!?

1. Complete the online registration form 

www.brocku.ca/career-services/students-alumni/graduating-year/gradlink

2. Review the Getting Started Presentation

3. Create your LinkedIn profile, if you do not have one already

4. Join the Grad LINK Network group on LinkedIn

Have other questions? Email: gradlink@brocku.ca

Lights... Camera... Action! Step four:

Over the last month I have posted about the Career Planning Process and we are now arriving at the fourth and final step. You have assessed your interests, values, and skills, researched possible career options, made a decision, and now its time to TAKE ACTION!

Taking Action is about putting your plans into action- whether you have decided on a career or to continue with further education, the time is now! Below are some tips for both scenarios: 

Employment:

- Researching potential employers

- Thoroughly reviewing job descriptions

- Completing on-line or facilitated workshops offered by Career Services

- Developing marketing tools such as achievement based resumes, cover letters, and portfolios

- Accessing and expanding your network (using LinkedIn and other networking methods such as Information Interviews and attending Career Expos) 

- Practicing effective interview skills 

- Locating part-time, full-time, summer and volunteer work experiences

Further Education:

- Researching educational programs, requirements and deadlines

- Speaking with Program Coordinators and Advisers about program

- Visiting the institutions you are considering

- Looking at the Career Services events calendar to see what institutions will be on campus

- Preparing for educational entrance exams

-Collecting transcripts and letters of reference 

- Preparing a personal statement, letter of intent, curriculum vitae, resume, and/or portfolio

Our friends from Cosmic Coaching Center also wrote some greatly inspiring tips to help you take action. 

How to Take Action in Career Planning

Once you have made up your mind as to what career path you are going to pursue, the next step is for you to figure out how you can make the successful career move. It is never enough that you keep planning, because at the end of the day, it is all about executing your action plan.

Here are some tips you can use to create an excellent action plan.

#1 Set specific goals.

Planning to change careers or perhaps return to school is a bit too general. For you to get enough motivation, it is important that your goal be specific. You could set a goal like “look for a career in the medical field” or in whatever industry you want to be in. What really matters is that you know what it is exactly that you want to achieve and when you should do it.

#2 Plan it step-by-step.

One essential thing to do to move forward is to know what steps to take to get closer to your goals. It isn’t enough that you know what you want to achieve; you must figure out ways to achieve it. You can do this by determining the steps you need to take. If you are sure about pursuing a career in dentistry, for instance, you should know what qualifications you should have to become a dental practitioner. Do you have the qualified degree? Do you possess the certificates needed for such a career? This way, you will know what you already have and what you still don’t have. This will also guide you as you make a concrete plan for the achievement of your ultimate goal.

#3 Prepare an excellent resume.

Your resume reflects who you are as a professional and what you can do that will benefit the company that is to hire you. With that said, it is important that you make it as informative and accurate as possible. Bear in mind as you write your resume that it should impress the potential employer or hiring manager. Make sure that you put in only the information that is relevant to the position you are applying for. There is no need for your resume to be wordy and lengthy. Go straight to the point and show the hiring manager the many reasons you deserve the job you are applying for.

#4 Put all your plans into action.

At this point, you may already have listed all the things you need to do so you could execute your career plan. What you should do now is set deadlines for every task that you have. Use a calendar where you should note the names of the companies you wish to work for. If you think you need to enhance your resume by adding relevant experience, then start looking for corporate events or even training seminars that you can participate in. This is a crucial part of your career planning because there is no sense in making plans without properly putting them into action.

About the author: 

Cecile Peterkin is a certified career and retirement coach, and a registered member of the Career Professionals of Canada and the International Coach Federation. She is also the Founder and Senior Career Strategist at Cosmic Coaching Center, provider of career and life management services for middle managers and mid-career professionals across Canada, United States and Europe.

Alysha-Lynn Kooter, Career Assistant, 2nd Year Intermediate/Senior Con-Ed Visual Art and English 

Professional Use of Social Media Sites for Students and Graduates!

Spring is a time for cleaning and clearing out! Get rid of all the unwanted attention on your social media pages to present yourself in a professional manner. Below are some things to think about when cleaning up your social media profiles:

Making Connections: Networking and the Job Search Process

Networking is a vital component of the job search process. It is about sharing knowledge
and contacts, helping others and building relationships before you need them. Networking
does not mean you need to meet 20 people every week. Instead make it a goal of adding 1
person to your network every week; it is not about the quantity of contacts a person has
but the quality. For this reason it is important that once you add a person to your
network you keep in touch with them periodically. This can be done through social media
(LinkedIn), over the phone, or a face-to-face conservation over coffee. Some places you can build
your network include …

•        Your classes / seminars
•        At work
•        Conferences
•        Volunteer opportunities
•        Online (through sites such as LinkedIn)

Networking on LinkedIn
•Users with complete profiles are 40x more likely to receive opportunities through
LinkinIn.
•Networking does not mean reaching out to strangers. The best networks begin with those
you know and trust, and then grow based on personal referrals.
•Always customize your connection requests with a friendly note.
•Stay on other people’s radar by updating your LinkedIn status at least once a week.
•Help your connections with their questions, comment on their statuses, or forward job
listings to show your generous side. You will find that your generosity is usually
rewarded.
•Search by similarities (i.e., school, program, concentration) to generate new
connections.

While online networking has become more and more popular, it should not replace
face-to-face conversations.

Come stop by the Career Resource Centre in the Learning Commons where we have a variety
of networking resources including LinkedIn tips, accessing the hidden job market and
information interview resources.


Mike Pratas, Career Assistant
2^nd Year Political Science

Keep Your Academic Network Up-to-Date

The end of the term is just around the corner! And, for some of our Badgers, this also means the completion of your undergraduate degree. Congratulations on surviving to the end of March - only a couple weeks left until (pseudo)freedom is here!

As you may have already realized, one of the greatest resources you will gain during your degree is the relationship you build with your professors. These individuals are some of your best contacts for getting jobs after graduation. Not only do they work in the field that you are interested in, but they have friends that do too! Its important that you don't let these contacts fizzle away.

March is the perfect time to send some emails out to professors you have enjoyed working with, as well as old employers that you've had, and letting them know where you are headed after you graduate. If you have any outstanding professors or TAs to add to your LinkedIn, consider doing that today. Your professors will have hundreds of students after you so you want to ensure that they remember who you are!

If you are returning as a student next year and are planning on attending graduate school in 2015, start considering which professors you are interested in using as references for your applications. If you aren't taking any classes with your ideal references next year you should be asking them to be your reference now while you (and your work) are still fresh in their minds.

Good luck with your final assignments and exams! Summer break is just around the corner :). And continue keeping an eye on Career Zone (careerzone.brocku.ca) for summer employment opportunities.

Ashley Paolozzi, Lead Career Assistant
4th Year History of Art (Honours)

Great Networking Opportunities with 'Ten Thousand Coffees'

A new networking focused website called Ten Thousand Coffees has been brought to our attention and we want Brock University's students to be aware and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity! Ten Thousand Coffees targets individuals with all types of interests and career goals with networking opportunities available to students from all academic backgrounds.

As stated on the 'About Us' section of their website:

"We’re a team of young people who believe that the next generation has incredible potential just waiting to be unlocked. The problem? There’s a gap between the leaders of today and the social generation. We built Ten Thousand Coffees to be the solution: to bridge that gap and help people connect in a way that’s never been done before. Business leaders go for coffee all the time, but they’re restricted to their personal networks of friends and family. Ten Thousand Coffees is democratizing the coffee experience by opening it up to youth all over Canada.

Ten Thousand Coffees is the first youth movement of its kind in the world, created by young people for young people. It’s more than just a chat over coffee. It’s a new way for young people to unlock opportunities and share their ideas and for industry leaders to share their experience. We’re connecting students, recent grads, and young professionals with leaders and industry professionals to share insights and spark ideas that will plant the seeds of future opportunities over a cup of coffee."

Create a profile today and gain access to experts in over 21 industries and fields! This website has a ton to offer undergraduate students and new grads who are looking for an opportunity to network with professional, making these industry experts more accessible than they ever had before. 

Stay up to date and find out more information through Ten Thousand Coffees' various social media pages:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Google +

Good luck networking! I hope you find this website as interesting as I have!

Ashley Paolozzi, Lead Career Assistant
4th Year History of Art (Honours)  

Etiquette at Networking Events

It cannot be stressed enough how important networking is to job search and career progression nowadays. Networking is a key factor in landing meaningful employment after you graduate and can be crucial to upward mobility in the workforce or within a company. In addition, networking is one of the main ways to tap into the hidden job market where approximately 80% of the jobs actually are!

In order to build and maintain your network you should keep in contact with those you meet and attend networking events whenever possible, whether they are offered through your department at school, through Career Services, by your current employer, or by professional associations in your field.

There are certain things to keep in mind while at networking events so I will offer you my 2 cents on some important tips …

Communication Etiquette:

• Use good body language: Maintain good posture, eye contact, and use a strong handshake

• Let your voice convey energy, enthusiasm and interest as you speak

• Make sure to read the person’s business card before putting it away

• Engage in a few minutes of non-business related small-talk

• Stand when being approached

• Listen attentively

Dress Etiquette:

• Always dress appropriately and professionally. Here are a few tips:

Women	Men
Wear comfortable shoes and hosiery to complement your outfit	Always wear an undershirt
Keep hair and nails clean and neat	Keep hair and nails clean and neat
Wear natural looking makeup and keep it to a minimum	Don’t wear ankle socks or light coloured socks with a dark coloured suit (or vice versa)
Don’t overpower your appearance with heavy scents (also, keep in mind that many places are becoming ‘scent-free’ and do not permit the use of perfumes)	Don’t overpower your appearance with heavy scents (also, keep in mind that many places are becoming ‘scent-free’ and do not permit the use of colognes)
Wear appropriate jewellery	Wear appropriate jewellery
Don’t wear tank tops with thin straps	Show a clean cuff: don’t wear a short sleeved shirt with your suit

Dining Etiquette:

Certain behaviour is deemed appropriate in different cultural, social and/or professional situations. Your ability to behave appropriately in various situations will demonstrate a sense of competence, and will likely create credibility. Here are some basic dining etiquette tips to follow if your networking event involves a sit down meal:

• Eat to your left, drink to your right

• Start with utensils furthest away from you and work your way in

• Pass food from left to right

• Taste food before you season it

• Try a little of everything on your plate

• Your napkin rests on your lap until the end of the meal

• Wait until you are all served before beginning to eat

• Your idle hand should sit on your lap

• Chew with your mouth closed

• Thank your host(s)

Here is an example of formal dining table set-up that you might find at a networking event in which dinner is served (refer to above tips for how to approach this set-up): 

Here are some additional tips for networking events in general...

 

The Elevator Pitch:

Prepare an ‘elevator pitch’ prior to the networking event so that you always have something to start a conversation with. This is a short (about 30 seconds) speech about who you are, what you do, and what your future plans are. This is a great way to break the ice with other professionals at the event and can usually turns into a more in-depth conversation. You may find you have something in common with the person you are speaking with and right there you have most likely added someone to your network! Here is a great article by Forbes magazine that summarizes how to prepare an effective elevator pitch.

After the event:

Maintain the network that you have worked hard to build by keeping a database or file so you can keep track of everyone you meet. Write a few notes on the back of the person’s business card so that you will remember what you talked about. Keep in contact with your network so they don’t forget about you. You might offer to take them out to coffee to catch up every 6 months or so. Even if you just send them a quick/short email once in a while (or a link to an article you think they would be interested in – again, keep it professional!)…you never know what opportunities might come across their desk that they think you would be interested in.

Here is a great article by QuickandDirtyTips.com about networking etiquette that you might find helpful as well!

Happy networking :) 

 

Jami Coughler, Senior Career Assistant

4th Year Public Health [Honours] '14

BA: Sociology, Criminology Concentration [Honours] '11