Balancing School and Fun

First of all, welcome back to all the Badgers returning to Brock and, welcome back to school for all students no matter where you may be.

A challenge that students face in their initial time back to school is balancing social times and their academic life. I personal tip that I received for achieving a good balance was from an Academic Advisor from Brock University where you use a schedule of 8hours-8hours-8hours to balance your sleep, social and academic times where each of these 3 sections get 8 hours.

Another helpful tip I received was from the Career Resource Centre at Brock. The tip involves creating goal action forms by breaking down each goal by using S. M. A. R. T. SMART breaks down into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time and in my experience by using every step of the SMART Goal system, you can create good effective goals. For example here is a sample of a SMART goal pertaining to creating a resume. “I want to construct an effective resume by creating all the necessary components of a resume, by next Wednesday . . . This goal is specific, measurable by completing all the areas of a resume, everyone can do a resume so it is achievable, most application packages need to have a resume so this goal is realistic and this goal has a time frame by wanting to have it accomplished by next week. Go ahead; give a SMART goal a try.

These are some of the tips that we advise and we encourage you come into the centre for a smart goal form and for more tips and we also encourage going to see your academic advisor! Have a great one Badgers, don’t forget to smile! 

Welcome back students and welcome new Career Assistants!

Welcome back BrockU students! We hope everyone had a terrific summer break and are ready to be back at school. We have already seen a bunch of new faces come into the Career Resource Centre which has been so exciting for us. We have a lot to offer to all students so don't be afraid to come check out the centre on the first floor of the James A. Gibson Library.

Our hours for Fall/Winter 2014-15 are Monday through Friday from 9am-4:30pm.

If you stop by the Career Resource Centre you will notice some new faces here too! We have seven new team members that are hard at work training to give you the best information that they can! I have asked them to write a little but about themselves, what they did this summer, and why they wanted to be a Career Assistant:

Tyler Harris:

Tyler is in his third year of Psychology and wanted to become a Career Assistant because he is always looking for ways to help students. He found this job unique because it helps himself develop into the career world and he can also assist students with this same goal. This summer he competed in the World Pipe Band Champions in Glasgow, Scotland! This year he plans on competing with his bagpipes on a solo scale nationally and internationally. We are so excited to have such a musical and adventurous team member like you this year!

Wajeeh Alvi:

Wajeeh is studying Computer Science (co-op) with a minor in Business and pursuing a concentration in Artificial Intelligence (AI). After graduation he is looking forward to working in his field and furthering his freelance web design career. Wajeeh wanted to be a Career Assistant because he is genuinely interested in helping people with their career development and would like to be able to give career advice. We know you will be able to bring many good resources to the BrockU community Wajeeh!

Scarlet Stark:

Scarlet is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Philosophy, she would like to become a school adviser or counselor in a secondary or post-secondary level of education! This summer she enjoyed going to a lot of fun concerts and taking some time off to relax. This fall she is looking forward to going to the Fleetwood Mac concert with a friend! Scarlet wanted to become a Career Assistant because she was looking for a position that gave meaningful outcomes, like helping someone find a job! You're so sweet Scarlet and we look forward to working with you this year! 

Sarah Mitchinson:

Sarah is currently studying Psychology with a minor in Sociology at Brock. After graduation she would like to attend grad school to continue her studies in Psychology. Something exciting that she has planned for this year is going snowboarding in New York when the snow starts to fall. Sounds like so much fun Sarah! We are happy to have you with us this year.

Simon Drum:

Simon is one of our first Graduate Career Assistants! He is taking his MA in Applied Health Sciences (Health and Physical Education), specializing in Sport Psychology. As a huge sport fan, a highlight of his summer this year was going to Pittsburgh and Boston to see the iconic ball parks that they have! As a Graduate Career Assistant, he looks forward to growing the capacity of Brock Career Services to assist grad students with their career paths. We look forward to hearing all your ideas Simon!

Monika Parsons:

Monika is also one of our first Graduate Career Assistants! She is taking her MA in Child and Youth Studies. Upon graduation she would like to work in a Residential Treatment setting for children, advocate, teach/mentor relational child and youth care (CYC) practice. Something exciting she did over the summer was travelling to St. John's, Newfoundland and hiking part of the East Coast Trail with a toddler strapped on her back! She wanted to be a Graduate Career Assistant to assist peers with achieving their goals and create future plans that will lead them to success. We feel very fortunate to have an individual like you join our team this year!

Kaitlyn Daw:

Kaitlyn is studying English, Language and Literature with a minor in Applied Computing here at Brock! After graduation she would like to attend Humber College to complete a program in Creative Publishing as well as a program in Graphic Design. Something exciting she has planned for this year is being the head of Brock Eco Clubs fundraising committee! Kaitlyn wanted to become a Career Assistant because she wants to help other people see the value in their degree and assist them in their search for a career they will love. We know Kaitlyn is going to make a great editor with her background in English!


As a team, we look forward to working with all of you this year! We hope you learn and develop essential job market skills that will allow you to assist others in reaching their career goals. We look forward to hearing all of your ideas and helping you make an impact on our 2014-2015 team!

Welcome new senior team 2014-2015!!

It's that time of year again...our new senior team for next year is established and we are in the process of hiring some great new students for next year! With that said, I have the honour of introducing the new Senior and Lead Career Assistants for the 2014-2015 academic year...

Becky White - Lead Career Assistant

Becky is going into her 3rd year of Tourism and Environment (Honours) and hopes to be involved in tourism marketing and sustainability. Next school year will also be Becky's 3rd year with career services as our new Lead Career Assistant. Becky describes herself as a "professional cat lady" and this couldn't be more true...Becky has helped maintain an adequate supply of funny and endearing cat photos, drawings, and videos that has kept our team entertained all year (or at least she has done that for me and I will miss it so much when I am gone!). Becky says she is "looking forward to another great year at school surrounded by awesome people". The new team is lucky to have someone as fun and energetic as Becky to lead them next year :) 

Michael Pratas - Senior Career Assistant

Mike is going into his 3rd year of Political Science and has aspirations to go into teaching, something he would obviously be very successful at based on his strong ability to guide students through their career planning process, or a career in politics. Mike has developed so much in his role as a Career Assistant and is now ready to take on the role of a Senior CA. Mike says he is looking forward to "working with the new team of CA's and taking on more of a leadership role here in the Centre". Mike will most definitely be a great teacher, effective leader and excellent mentor to the new team next year.

Anthony Mancuso - Senior Career Assistant

Anthony is going into his 3rd year of Sport Management and hopes to be a team marketing manager for a sports team. Anthony wants to be able "to connect high-profile organizations with major and minor league sports teams to help generate revenue, kick-start the economy, and build  strong brands which will inspire youth to participate in sport". Anthony says: "I am looking forward to being in a position of increased responsibility, so I can challenge myself even more than I already have as a CA while also helping to shape the direction of Career Services...[and] to being in a mentoring role for the new CA's so I can help mold the future of Career Services and build a welcoming culture for all students seeking advice or help on any career related items". Anthony has demonstrated so much motivation to get involved this past year which has well-prepared him for his new leadership role.

Alysha Kooter - Senior Career Assistant

Alysha is going into her 3rd year at Brock studying Visual Art and English Concurrent Education. Even though Alysha did not join us until December, we immediately knew she was a wonderful addition and asset to our team. Alysha will be working full-time in the Career Resource Centre this summer updating resources, creating training materials for the new team, and as our new graphics designer! She will also be taking over the blog posts for the summer so you will hear lots from her over the next few months. Alysha hopes to "express leadership by inspiring and guiding new Career Assistants throughout the year to ensure their knowledge of materials and resources that are present in the center, while helping them create new ideas to encourage their involvement as an impacting member of the Career Services team". Alysha's initiative to learn quickly and lead effectively will surely make her a successful Senior CA! 

Welcome to you cool new cats!!!  #welcome #hello #CatsOfCareerServices
Stay tuned for our upcoming post saying farewell to the Senior CAs and CAs who aren't returning next year.

Jami Coughler, Senior Career Assistant
4th Year Public Health [Honours]; BA: Sociology '11

Welcome Back Badgers!

On behalf of Career Services I would like to extend a warm welcome to our new and returning Brock University students. We encourage both students and alumni from all faculties to utilize our services in order to strengthen their professional documents and better prepare themselves for part-time jobs and the eventual career world.

As a refresher, Career Services is a free drop-in service located within the Learning Commons that assists students and alumni of the Brock community with any career/job/post-graduate questions and concerns. Our services include (but are not limited to!) the following:

• On and off campus job search strategies and websites including Career Zone our online job posting board only accessible to Brock students and alumni (careerzone.brocku.ca)
• Resume, Cover Letter, and CV evaluations, templates, and workshops
• Teach/volunteer/work abroad information as well as international resume samples
• Program specific resumes and Degree Exploration Guides that include information specific to each of Brock's programs such as Career Options, Professional Associations, and Job Search sites
• An assortment of printed handouts and books available on various topics including information on specific careers, job search, resume/cover letter writing, going abroad, etc.
• Portfolio creation, samples, and evaluations
• Post-graduate information including prep books for graduate entrance exams
  

If you have any questions about your current and post-graduation job search feel free to stop by our office!

   We are currently operating on regular Fall/Winter hours:

9:00 - 4:30 Monday - Friday 

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

Welcome Career Assistant Team 2013-2014!!

Welcome back Brock students…I hope that you had an amazing and fun-filled summer holiday! Another school year is about to begin and we hope to continue to provide you with the best career-related advice and resources that we can. This year’s blog writers will include myself (Senior Career Assistant), Nella (Senior Career Assistant), Becky (Senior Career Assistant), and Ashley (Lead Career Assistant)! You may even hear a bit from Ben (Senior Career Assistant) and Brittany (Lead Career Assistant) from time to time.

I would like to take this time to introduce our new Career Assistants to the Career Services family!! I asked them each to write a little bit about themselves, their summer vacation, and what they look forward to about working at Career Services:

Anthony Mancuso (yes, he is Lia’s brother!!) is going into his 2^nd year of the Sport Management program here at Brock and loves it!  He writes: “My career aspiration is to use sport as a catalyst for change in developing countries. At Career Services I look forward to helping people discover more about themselves, and also I look forward to discovering more about myself in the process.This summer was the first time I went camping (crazy right?). My friends and I camped up in Tobermory and we went bouldering and caving which was wild”. Wow, that’s WILD Tony!!

Kelsey Osborne is going into her 3^rd year of Sociology and aspires to be a Wedding Planner! She writes: “I am looking forward to working for Career Services because I want to help other students at Brock discover their aspirations and then reach them by using the resources that Career Services has to offer”. Kelsey spent her summer “exploring British Columbia and falling in love with the mountains”. That sounds like an experience of a life time Kelsey!

Erik Gunn is going into his 4^th year of Bachelor of Business Administration – concentrating in Finance. His career aspirations are “to make a difference in the world and to attain my CFA
designation and own my own business”. Erik Writes: “I look forward to interacting with new people and making a difference for students. Also I plan on learning a lot about myself and what I can do to brighten my future as well as others”. Erik was busy over the summer; he attained his full motorcycle license and planned a trip to Vegas for Christmas break! Sounds like a blast Erik!

Michael Pratas is working towards his Honours BA in Political Science with a minor in History and is entering his 2^nd year. Michael aspires to “work as a high school teacher or work in city government”. He writes: “I'm looking forward to learning about the student job market and helping students get jobs in the Brock community”. Over the summer holidays Michael planned trips to Florida and New York for the fall semester! What a great way to start off a new school year Mike!

I am very much looking forward to working with our wonderful new team of Career Assistants!! WELCOME Anthony, Kelsey, Erik, and Michael! We hope that you enjoy your time at Career Services as we have all enjoyed ours :) 

 

Jami Coughler, Senior Career Assistant

4^th Year Public Health [Honours]; BA Sociology [Honours] ‘11