Applying to Teacher's College

Deadlines are fast approaching for Teacher's College and many students are feeling the pressure. No need to worry though, if you get yourself organized with all the information you need to apply you're bound to make the application deadline - and Career Services is here to help!

Here are a few reminders for your application:

• To apply, go to the TEAS website at: www.ouac.on.ca/teas

• Be sure to do your research. Each of the 13 schools offering Teacher Education programs have different application requirements; For instance, some will require an experience profile that outlines your teaching-related experiences 

• Indicate which division (primary/junior, junior/intermediate, intermediate/senior) that you're applying to and make sure you meet the teachable requirements for your selection

• Be sure to request an academic transcript from your current institution as every application requires one

• Submit application to OUAC no later than December 3, 2012

Notes: try to submit your application as soon as possible because some institutions may require additional information

TEAS application fee and Faculty of Education supplementary fees are non-refundable and are due no later than December 10, 2012

Offers of admissions will be released to successful candidates starting April 2, 2013

  

If you require any extra support with your documents when applying, stop by the Career Resource Centre for assistance!

Good luck to all the future teachers out there!

- Lia  

Special thanks to Kylie, one of our Career Assistants, for help with this blog post! 

University, College, or Both?

If you're in post-secondary, you've heard it. If you're in high school you hate it. If you're in elementary school you barely know yourself well enough to decide but we all know the age old question that begins back in your elementary school days: will you be going to university or college?

Remember back when you had to pick your high school courses in grade 8 and you had to choose academic or applied? Or later in high school when you had to decide whether to take university or college level courses? For so long before you ever get to applying for post-secondary school you are forced to make decisions about where you're going to go, possibly before you even know what you want to do!

There are lots of differences between the institutions of university or college, and today I am going to tell you about some of them.

First let's begin with recalling what they told us way back when:

College:
 - more hands on approach to learning
 - directs you into a field rather than providing a lot of theory

University:
 - theory-based learning style
 - learning the how, emphasis on writing and research

So I mean, this isn't innaccurate; the programs colleges offer usually provide for a very direct employment type learning style, however, this DOES NOT MEAN there is no writing, researching, or theory to accompany the program. AS WELL, university is NOT ALL THEORY. Most universities cater to varying learning styles in the classroom; a lot of university programs offer lab components and group work with hands on learning. There are also fieldwork courses and practicum courses as well.

The MAIN difference between the programs is this: the skills you learn.

 In college, you are gaining many skills, but a lot of special and specific skills to prepare and train you for a specific job. While you will be qualified for certain jobs outside of your field after going to college, you are really learning to master something specific while being there.

 In contast, in university there are some programs that facilitate direct employment with special training toward one job, for the most part the skills you are learning are diverse and transferrable. This means a few things: you may experience more difficulty finding a job once you complete your degree but the good news is that you have a plethera of skills under your belt so that you can apply to a wide variety of jobs.

 And guess what?! Many university graduates end up attending college once completing their degree to complement what they learned and to specialize in something specific! Some college students end up going to university, transferring some credits if possible in order to complete their program in a shorter time, gaining a wider variety of skills that they can apply to their field.

So what does this mean? It means that there is equal value in doing university or college, and that lots of people do both! There are over 60 collaborative programs offered at Brock University, where students earn both a diploma and a degree at the same time!

So whether you're a current or projected student, or maybe even a university or college graduate, just remember the value of your diploma or degree. Know that there are options for both college and university programs, and that through studying both you can help vary the opportunities available to you.

To those of you applying to post-grad right now: good luck! And remember to come by the Career Resource Centre at any time to recieve help with preparing your application documents! We review cover letters, resumes, personal statements and letters of intent!

See you soon,

Brittany
Sr. Career Assistant

Career Expo: How to Prepare!

Happy Belated Halloween!

Just because the Halloween festivities are coming to a close doesn't mean you still should not be preparing. Preparing that is, for THE CAREER EXPO!


For those of you who have never experienced it, The Career Expo is a huge recruitment event which takes place in the Ian Beddis Gym which showcases over 100 various employers from various employment sectors. This year the event will be taking place Tuesday November 6, 2012 from 11am - 4pm.

What does that mean for you then?

By participating in the Career Expo you will not only have the chance to effectively network yourself to potential employers, but you will also be able to  interact one on one with employers, gaining inside access to what it is they look for in an employee and how it is they go about finding the right one.

So, how should you prepare?

1. Use the events new mobile app to research which employers or agencies will be at the event which are of interest to you.

2. Do some research on some of the employers you are most interested in so that you can develop a list of specific questions you could ask them which are specific and based on their programs and services.

3.Dress in business casual attire. You want to make sure that you make an appropriate and professional first impression.

4. Bring extra copies of your resume and specialy tailored cover letter. Remember though to check what positions the employers are hiring for if they are indeed hiring. If so, see if their applications are preferred in person or online.

5. Show up! Preparing and getting there is the hardest part. Once you are there remember to saty positive and engaging.

I hope that with the help of the app and some of the tips I have provided here that you will be successful in preparing for the event and that itproves to be helpful and beneficial in your job search.

Finally,if you haven't already, REGISTER FOR THE APP and find out more about the event and what you can do to prepare yourself.

I hope to see you all there,

Rosemary
Senior CA

Time to show off those awesome costumes!

Happy Halloween from Career Services!

 

 
Be safe and have fun! :)

- Ashley

Leadership Styles in the Workplace

Let's get real here - not everyone in our workplace is going to be exactly like us. We all have different personalities, quirks, and characteristics that make each one of us unique workers; and that's a good thing! A blend of these personalities is what makes for a collaborative team that is able to contribute different things to the workplace.

In light of this, there are bound to be different leadership styles at your place of work too. Whether it be your supervisor, boss, or even coworker, it is useful to be aware of the way they lead a team and what their strengths are in a leadership position.

Here is a short rundown of the different leadership styles you might find in the workplace, taken from Personality Dimensions:

• Blue leaders are supportive and good mediators but tend to avoid conflict. They are fair to their team and are able to read their staff/coworkers well.They are genuinely interested in developing relationships at work and are committed to making a difference professionally and socially.
• Green leaders are independent and extremely innovative. They thrive on facts and knowledge and will to go great lengths to finish a quality product. Greens can come off as critical but really they just want to make sure their team is as competent as possible.
• Gold leaders are organized and detail-oriented. They love to set goals and achieve them. They work excellently in a team environment as they are able to determine the strengths and pitfalls of a project easily. A Gold leader is very helpful and dedicated to his/her team, but can appear strict if team members are not contributing.
• Orange leaders are resourceful and energetic. They tend to be fast-paced and like to get their jobs done so they can move on to their next project. An Orange leader may not necessarily plan ahead, but is great at  negotiating with others about the next step to take. Oranges have a very go-with-the-flow attitude, not to be confused with laziness or incompetence.

Obviously the leaders you may see in your workplace might be a combination of any of these styles; the important thing to recognize is how they thrive in a work environment and what you can do to be a better team member when working with them.

And whatever your leadership style, use your strengths to your full advantage!

- Lia

Career and Post-Graduate Expo 2012!

So you're graduating this year. You're considering entering your field in an entry-level position, or maybe you'd like to further your education with a post-graduate certificate or Master's Degree. But where to start? Well why not check out the Career and Post Graduate Expo? With over 90 employers, post-graduate institutions and non-profit organizations in attendance, there's bound to be something at this event for you!

The Expo is entering its 7th year and it is always a great success. This event provides students the chance to network with potential employers and get informed about what to expect from a future in various fields.

It's important to look your best at this event so no ripped jeans or yoga pants! Dress to impress! Many new grads find full-time employment at this event so do not miss out!

This event is NOT RESTRICTED to graduating students; it's always great to get ahead so come on out first, second and third years and get yourselves informed :)!

Hopefully this event will help you figure out what your next steps are. If you have any questions before or after attending, feel free to stop by the Career Resource Centre located in the Learning Commons and any Career Assistant will be happy to assist you.


To register for the event and to view the list of exhibitors visit the website here: www.tripbuilder.mobi/brockexpo2012.

Good luck!

Brittany

The Importance of Learning Your Bosses Management Style

Taking the time to learn your boss's management style is important when starting a new position. A bad relationship with the boss - caused by your misunderstanding of what they want, expect and need from you - can make your expereince there, less than what you might have wanted.

 My Advice???

Learn about your boss's leadership style. These include democratic, autocratic/participative and laissez-faire.

Do know the best ways to work with individuals who fall under that style.

Make friends in the workplace and ask them about your boss and the way he/she prefers work to be done and issues to be sorted out.

Clarify with your boss about what he/she prefers in a non-invasive way at a time and location that is convenient for him/her.


So.......... make the most of your experience using these new know how's and use them to learn to distinguish what your bosses management style is - and also what that means for you. Do research about these styles and the way that they can be adapted in the work place. More importantly, learn from those with experience in your workplace (with your boss and coworkers).

And you never know, using this strategy within your first few shifts might help you to make new friends, find a mentor, and maybe... just maybe.... get an in with the boss!!

So Happy Learning Everyone!

-Rosemary
Senior Career Assistant

Happy Boss's Day!

The Career Assistants would like to take the time to thank our amazing boss:

 

Kara Hammond! 

Kara is an incredible employer to work for and has assisted us in becoming confident and successful CAs!

 

Remember to take the time today to thank your own boss! A positive reminder that they are a wonderful person to work for could make their day a little less stressful!

Happy Boss's Day!

- Ashley, and the Career Assistants :)

What Did You Do Wrong In First Year?

Ironically I'm probably not the best person to be talking about what I did wrong in first year; I was one of the few students already very dedicated to my studies right from the get-go! However, I believe we could all have used a little more advice looking back to our young selves a few years ago.

Here are some things I think I should have done while in my first year, and some of my recommendations to you:

• Get involved! I think I was way too nervous about doing well in school that I missed out on some great opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities. There is so much to do on campus! Join a club, become a member of an association within your program, or volunteer for events happening around the school. Not only are these wonderful resume boosters, but can help you meet new people and get more out of your university experience!
• Sign up for workshops. Yes, it's true, you excelled in high school and got into university. But that doesn't mean there's not going to be some sort of academic transition phase that you'll experience once you're here. A-Z Learning Services offers a variety of workshops that will help you from writing university level essays to taking multiple choice exams.
• Talk to Your Professors. It can be intimidating to approach your professors in first year, especially if you have some large classes. However putting yourself out there and talking to your professors can mean the difference between you understanding an assignment or getting an answer to something they lectured on. It can also be a great way to get their insight on your field/area of interest!
• Explore. I don't know about you, but in first year I didn't travel much further than the Pen Centre to get groceries. Especially if you're not acquainted with the city, it's important to get out there and see what the different areas of town have to offer. Who knows? You might find a new favourite coffee place or a great store that you wouldn't have known about had you not stepped on that city bus.

All in all, it's important to look at first year both as a learning curve and an opportunity to experience all kinds of new things. Take advantage of all the services your university has to offer and also look out for ways to get the most out of your time here. You won't regret it!

Good luck; believe me when I tell you that these years absolutely fly by!
- Lia

Brock Life: Adjusting to Living at Home Sweet ... Not ... Home

So Thanksgiving is over and maybe that was the first time you've gotten to go home since being here at Brock! And before going home you were totally fine with that. But now that you're back at school, classes in full swing and that long weekend was not quite long enough  you're all "oh my gosh, when am I going to be home again? It's only October, Christmas is two months away, I miss my friends, I miss my family!!!". Okay, so maybe you're all still fine and happy to be back at school (woohoo!!) but hey, some of us had a hard time adjusting to living away and getting the chance to go home just reminds you of that. It's totally okay! Living away from home definitely has its ups and downs and there are ways to make that transition a lot easier. Here are some tips I wish I used in my first year:

1. Call or skype home at least once a week, and make your family tell you whats going on with THEM! They're missing 1 person from their household but you might be missing 2-6! Your parents will definitely want to hear about how everything is going for you on this end, but getting a chance to hear about their lives will make you feel a little more connected to home. Share a story, tell a joke, have a staring contest! Whatever makes you feel more in the loop.

2. Create a list of things that you didn't know how to do on your own before living by yourself. You might include stuff about laundry, cooking, cleaning, sending a letter, paying bills/managing finances, etc! Be as specific as you want. Each month take the time to refer back to that list to see what you might have learned so you can cross it off! Feel free to add something new to it as well - you may have realized something else you didn't know that month and learned it too! This will make you feel accomplished and remember why you might have made the decision to move away in the first place.

3. Find some friends to have a family dinner with once a week. Even if you're living in a dorm style residence room this is possible - just find some things that can be made with a microwave or toaster and set up your dinner in the lounge. This is a nice way to recognize the new community/family you have created for yourself at school!

*You might also take this a step further and call your parent/grandparent/guardian at home about one of their famous recipes and make it here at Brock! A nice way to add to tip #2 and also to share a piece of home and tradition with your new home and friends.

And finally...

4. Find a part-time job! You might be questioning this one ("is she just adding this in because this is the Career Services blog?"), but think about it, having a job keeps you busy and earns you money. A part of a difficult in transition for first year might be going from being in high school all day with a part-time job that was keeping you busy,  to university classes sporadically throughout your day with nothing else to do in between. Your classes aren't 8:30-3pm everyday anymore - you might be spending all day with nothing to do before a class, missing home and friends in that idleness.  Finding yourself a job or volunteer experience can help relieve that. Just visit careerzone.brocku.ca!

*This goes for joining a sports team or club at Brock as well!

I hope these tips will help you adjust to your new home away from home! Remember to embrace your newfound independence and enjoy this time!

4 years away and still missing my family,

Brittany

Order a Workshop!

Hello Friends,

Congratulations on surviving the first month of the school year! If you have visited the career resource centre then you will know that we are there everyday from 9-4:30 ready and willing to help you at your convenience.

I am here to tell you that we get even more convenient and accessible!

If you prefer face to face interaction as opposed to learning from a computer screen and would like the benefits of the entire workshops we have online and more, then I would encourage you to round up a group of 5-6 people so that we can work out a time that works for us both to run a personal and scheduled workshop.

We offer online workshops for cover letter writing, resume writing, interview skills and portfolio development workshops through CareerZone. But, to supplement that, we also offer these on an order a workshop basis too. Here's our list:

 

1. Accomplishment Based Resume Writing
2. Career Planning
3. Customized Cover Letter Writing
4. interview Strategies and Practice
5. Job Search Strategies
6. Portfolio Production


So like I said, if you can find a group of people then go ahead and order one because we would love to help you learn more!

If you would like more information visit the order a workshop portion of our website.

Finally if you decide to take part, e-mail our resource co-ordinator at khammond@brocku.ca to set up a time that is convenient for you! (I told you we are convenient!!)

I hope to see you soon and good luck with the next 7 months of school,

-Rosemary

The 10 Minute Wonder: The Career Services Resume Review!

Our 10 minute resume reviews are one of the most popular services that we offer to students. We ask that you consider the following in order to assist us in giving you a positive experience when coming in for a review:

Things to Bring to Your Resume Review:

•  A hard copy of your resume:
• We require a hard copy of a resume that you have previously constructed in order to properly give you feedback. A hard copy is required in order for us to effectively record our suggestions and comments for your use in the future.
•  A printed copy of the job posting:
• Having the job posting with you allows us to effectively customize your personal work and volunteer experiences to make you appealing to the employer. 

How you Can Prepare Before Coming in for  Review:

• We supply students with free resume, cover letter, and CV templates! Don't be shy, come on in and ask us for one! :) We will be more then happy to answer any of your questions to help get you started.
• Complete our online workshop for an in depth look at how to construct your resume. This can be found at: http://www.brocku.ca/career-services/students-alumni/resumes/create-resume  

We look forward to seeing you soon!

- Ashley

Services We Offer

One of the most frequent questions we get here in the Career Resource Centre is always:

"So...what exactly do you do here?"

Today I'm here to answer this perpetual question. You'll quickly find that just about anything that you have questions about regarding your career path or any preparation involved in pursuing that path is covered through one of our many services.

Here's a snapshot of some of the things we offer:

• Assistance with job search (all kinds) and locating volunteer opportunities, both on and off campus
• Locating resources regarding working/studying/volunteering abroad
• Help with preparing for interviews and finding resources to help you practice your interviewing skills
• Online and order-a-workshop series on the subjects of resume and cover letter writing, portfolio development, and more
• 15 minute drop-in resume, cover letter, and curriculum vitae review services with a trained Career Assistant
• Other experiental programs to complement your degree including Mentorship, Experience, Volunteer, International, Advantage, and Med Plus programs
• Assistance in researching opportunities in post graduate programs and going over necessary application documents (including teacher's college, post graduate college diplomas, and all other graduate studies)
• In-house print resources on a variety of topics including resume writing, building a career portfolio, teaching abroad, entrance exams, networking, professional etiquette, and more!

So I think this question really becomes - what don't we do at Career Services?

Stop by to find out more about how we can help you achieve your short and long term career goals.

See you soon!
Lia

 

Taking Care of Business: BCDO at Brock!

If you're a Business student, you may already know and use the Business Career Development Office (BCDO) on a regular basis. You may know that it is an invaluable tool geared to help Business students SPECIFICALLY with resume building, professional development, networking and degree exploration. For those of you who have never heard of the BCDO, or have heard of it and never used it, I write to you today to let you know that this amazing resource is there for you, Business students, so USE IT to your advantage!

Basically, the BCDO is an office there to help you:

• understand and determine career options with your degree
• create a resume and cover letter that will impress employers
• conduct effective job search and succeed in a competitive job market
• meet employers and network with industry professionals

Pretty much all the same stuff we offer here at Career Services, except specific to Business students!

There are a few differences:

Career Services:
 - drop in resume and cover letter reviews
 - more broad range career information
 - alumni can use us after they graduate, no cap on our services

BCDO:
 - due to the specific resume reviews they provide, appointments are necessary
 - walk-in hours and resume clinics are available
 - after one year, limitations on access to the BCDO occur
 - The BCDO offers a specific Business Job Postings section through Career Zone

NOTE: Business students can STILL come to Career Services for any of their career needs, from degree exploration to resume reviews, and even career planning. The main thing is that the BCDO offers very specific information, geared exclusively toward Business students. But we encourage all students to recognize all of the student services and resources available to them on campus and to take advantage of everything!

To book an appointment with the BCDO, just log in to Career Zone!

For more information feel free to visit the BCDO website, or email Stephanie Sugamori at ssugamori@brocku.ca for more details.

Brittany

Guess Who

He is tall, has blue eyes, wears a red sweater and blue pants, and is super educated on careers!

Who is he you ask?

Jack McIsaac of course!

Jack is Career Service’s wonderful avatar who is super involved.  He knows about all career events happening on campus and he can help you stay connected to the Brock Community. He posts a variety of career/international information on his facebook wall and Twitter account. Jack also uses his pinterest board as a way for students to connect themselves with what is new and interesting in the career world.

Jack is very friendly and would love for you to add/ follow him on all of his social media pages. You can follow him on facebook at Jack McIsaac on twitter @JackMcisaac and finally on pinterest at jackmcisaaccs.

So add away and learn all you can about what's current in careers! If you have any questions or comments about Jack feel free to ask me or Jack himself on one of his walls.

Have a fabulous Thursday,
Rosemary

Advantages of Part-Time Jobs

So it's a brand new school year and classes are well underway. What are you going to do to fill those spaces between lectures, before (or preferably after) you're done your assignments, and to make some extra cash?

...Well, you're going to apply for a part-time job, of course!

Working during your studies poses many valuable advantages to your university career. Just as a few examples, you will:

• Be able to learn valuable transferable skills such as organization, teamwork, professional etiquette, customer service...the list goes on! Not to mention you might have the opportunity to take part in other professional development opportunities depending on your employer
• Meet new people & network with professionals - not to mention you will also have the opportunity to snap up some wonderful references from your employer
• Expand your resume and gain experience for your future career path (your part-time job may even open up doors for you in the future and turn into full-time work!)
• Learn more about a specific field and/or industry
• Help finance your education and other expenses
• Diversify your schedule and take a break from schoolwork/other commitments

So as you can see, working during university has many benefits, even for the modern-day busy student. If you're interested in part-time work, check out CareerZone for current opportunities both on and off campus. For more general searches, take a look at the Find A Job section of our website, or as always, stop by the Resource Centre for more tips & tricks.

Happy job-hunting!
Lia

PS. It's wonderful to be back writing the blog for 2012-2013. Looking forward to an exciting year!

Welcome Back Brockers!

So by tomorrow school will have officially been back in session for one whole week, and doesn't it feel like its full speed ahead? In Career Services we definitely feel this way. With Shop for Jobs just behind us and so many of you looking for part-time jobs, we have been happily busy with helping you guys!

We just wanted to take the time to welcome you all back, and let you know that our school year hours are Monday-Friday, 9-4:30pm! We are located just inside the South Entrance of the Learning Commons. Remember to come by with questions about your degree, finding a job, graduate school applications, you name it! As well, drop by with your resume and cover letter and we can review it for you no problem! It only takes ten minutes.

Hope to see you all soon and here's to a successful and productive year to all!

Brittany

Introducing the New Career Assistants!

Career Services is excited to introduce you to our 6 new Career Assistants for the 2012/2013 school year! Joining our lead CA and three senior CAs, the new Career Assistant team will be happy to answer all of your job and career related questions throughout the rest of the school year.

We thought we would take the time to introduce our new staff by asking them each a career related question to find out a little bit more about them!

Ben (Recreation and Leisure Studies)
Q: If you could have any fictional job what would it be?
A: Leprechaun because I can eat all the Lucky Charms I want and charm all the ladies at the pub.

Nella (Psychology - 3rd Year)
Q: What was your first job and what did you like/dislike about it?
A: My first job was at Highland Country Markets. I worked at the meat counter of the butcher portion of store. I only liked some of the people I worked with other than that I disliked EVERYTHING from management, to never having a Saturday off, to having to serve bits of pigs and cows to customers. Hard to believe I stayed for a year!

Becky (Tourism and Environment - 2nd Year)
Q: When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Ok, so when I was younger I was invited to my friend's awesome pool party every year and her dad would video tape us and ask us questions. My answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up" was "a figure skater!". My friends dad was like "No really, what do you want to be when you grow?" and I replied "No really, a figure skater".

Kylie (Concurrent Education (J/I division) Minor in Geography and English - 4th year)
Q: If you were a professor what subject would you teach?
A: I would teach geography because of the variety of strands available. Specifically, social and cultural geography are interested to me because it examines people's interactions in different spaces and traits of cultural groups within society. For these reasons, I would teach geography.

Jami (Public Health - 3rd Year)
Q: What is a career that everyone always says you would be good at?
A: Animal rescue and/or care

Shawn (Kinesiology - 4th Year)
Q: Would you rather work under the ocean, work on land, or work in the sky? Why?
A: When you're under the ocean you cannot see the light, and if you're in the sky your heads in the clouds. I would work on land because of how much wonder it has. The world is a book, and if you don't explore then you read only one page. The day I stop understanding the land we call Earth, is the day I stop living.


Returning Student Staff!

Lia
Position: Lead Career Assistant
Program: Child and Youth Studies (4th Year) 
 
Ashley 
Position: Senior Career Assistant
Program: History of Art and Visual Culture (3rd Year)

Brittany
Position: Senior Career Assistant
Program: English Language and Literature and Dramatic Arts (5th Year)

Rosemary
Position: Senior Career Assistant
Program: Child and Youth Studies, Minor in French (4th Year)




As a reminder, we are now open from 9-4:30 from Monday to Friday for the school year! 

See you soon!

- Ashley and Brittany

Program Specific Resume Samples

Are you interested in what the resume of an ideal student candidate in your field would look like? Over the summer we have have been working on a project to create a series of binders that house resume samples for each individual program. So far we have created resume samples for the following faculties:

- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Business
- Faculty of Humanities

Each resume lists a number of positions that students in your program may have worked during their time at Brock as well as volunteer positions, clubs on campus, languages, technical skills, and more! These resumes can also serve as inspiration for anyone interested in exploring unique opportunities to fill their own resume with.

If you are interested in viewing any of the resumes from our completed faculties, drop by Career Services and we will be more then happy to let you take a look!

See you soon!

- Ashley

Your Future After Graduate School

Brock University is home to a growing number of graduate programs at both the Masters and PhD level. Career planning is a crucial aspect of any graduate students' educational experience. Having a Masters or a PhD is not a free ticket to your dream career - there is still a lot of work to do in order to guarantee yourself a job after graduation. Luckily, Career Services is equipped with a fantastic new resource called Navigating Your Career Search, a graduate student career resource guide by Shane LeBlanc which can assist you in choosing an appropriate career path and helping you prepare for a career in academia or for a private and not-for-profit sector.

The earlier you start considering your career options, the better. LeBlanc suggests finding ways to prepare yourself for your career while you are still working through your graduate studies. Don't allow your education to be your only relevant experience! Having real world experience on your CV or resume will significantly increase your chances of finding relevant employment after completing your graduate studies. Find ways to make yourself stand out among the other post-graduate students - be creative!

The guide also mentions ways of identifying your own abilities and understanding the transferable skills that you obtain during your graduate studies. LeBlanc suggests writing down all the tasks that you completed during your graduate studies, describing what was involved in the completion of these tasks, and outlining the skills and strengths that you developed in order to be successful in this area. This type of in depth personal reflection will allow you to understand your own strengths and weaknesses and the ways that your graduate studies have prepared your career and will provide you with information to include on your resume, cover letter, or during interviews. If you need help brainstorming a list of potential skills acquired by a graduate student can be found in the back of Navigating Your Career Search on page 53.

A final area of LeBlanc's graduate student career guide that should be highlighted is his detailed over view of what to include in a curriculum vitae (CV). He presents a list of different sections to include on a CV as well as a description of the potential experiences to list under each heading. He also provides tips on selecting appropriate references. One of the services available to students and alumni at our career centre is a drop-in CV review. So if you have any questions while preparing your document or you are interested in having someone read over it for you feel free to stop by!

I highly suggest all future, current, and past graduate students stop by Career Services and take a look through Shane LeBlanc's Navigating Your Career Search guide. Our Career Assistants are also more then happy to assist you with your graduate school preparation and career search.

Plan ahead and consider all of your options. But most importantly, enjoy being immersed in what you love!

- Ashley, Sr. Career Assistant



Further reading available in the career centre for graduate students:

•  The Academic Job Search Handbook (4th Edition)
   by Julia Miller Vick and Jeniffer S. Furlong
•  The Chicago Guide to Your Academic Career
   by John A. Goldsmith, John Komlos, and Penny Schine Gold
• Post-Grad Studies Binder
  Brock University, Career Services
• How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae
  by Acy L. Jackson and C. Kathleen Gecheis
  

Shop for Jobs 2012!

It's that time of year again - time to pay your tuition, time to start thinking about how you're going to make money this year and therefore time to start preparing your career documents to apply... if you haven't already started, that is!

There are a bunch of new listings popping up on our Career Zone, for both on and off campus positions, but you can ALSO check out our annual Shop for Jobs event, which is happening again in just one month! The event is occurring on September 11th from 12-6pm at the Pen Centre. You have exactly 33 days; plenty of time  to get your resume in gear and practice those interview skills!

You can check out our online workshops for resume writing, cover letter writing, and interview skills all on our Career Zone website, under "Workshops" from your dashboard. You can also check the Career Services website for more information on resume writing, interview skills and also for using resources like Interview Stream!

Interview Stream is a really useful program where students can create a free account, and film themselves being "mock interviewed". All you do is login, choose some questions you'd like to be asked, and the program sets up a computerized interviewer who will ask you these questions while you're being filmed. Why is this helpful? Because it forces you to recognize your potentially bad habits that pop up in interviews and elsewhere. You can watch the video back to see if you touch your hair or face a lot, whether you're fidgeting, or maybe to see that you use words like "ummm" or "like" too much! It's always good to self-check and Interview Stream is a really useful way to do that. You can also send in your video to our full-time staff at Career Services where it can be looked over and sent back to you providing further feedback. You might also choose to book a real mock interview with our department before you head to the event by emailing khammond@brocku.ca, or even check out some of the Interview resources we have in the Career Resource Centre!

You can also bring your resume and cover letter into the centre and a Career Assistant would be happy to look it over for you! It's a drop in service so you don't have to make an appointment! Come in anytime between 9 and 4pm until August 24th, and then between 9 and 4:30pm starting in September!

Remember: choose the employers you'd like to meet with at the event and tailor your resume to each specific one. Don't just print off 10 copies of the same resume - it's better to apply to less positions and tailor each document to the specific companies than to hand out a bunch and be general. This is because employers want to know that a) you took the time to decide where you'd like to work and why and also b)  what you think qualifies you for their specific position. We can help you with all of this stuff right here in the centre :)


For some other tips and tricks, and a list of the participating employers, check out Jack's Facebook Page to view the event and also check out the Prezi!

Good luck and see you soon!

Brittany

Book Review: Work Your Way Around the World

Living in North America we are faced with a very competitive job market, especially for those seeking jobs in teaching. Because of this it seems that now more than ever before graduates are making the decision to finish school and move on to travel or work abroad. Working abroad is truly becoming an ideal option for many, since, for a lot of the jobs being offered (especially in teaching) the expectation is that you will have completed an undergraduate degree in any field, but that's it. Often students will complete their TESOL Certificate (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages), that is if they're going into teaching since it puts them at a salary advantage and also provides them a better general knowledge for how to teach english, but even that is optional. It seems so easy to do, but some of you might be asking, "are there really opportunities other than teaching overseas?" and "so where do I start this process?"

There are tons of organizations that will help a graduate make their overseas transition into working abroad, and teaching isn't the only industry that they're recruiting for. You can find many of these organizations sites through a simple google search, but how can you know whats legitimate and who to trust?

In her book Work Your Way Around the World, Susan Griffith acts as your "tour guide" for understanding the ins and outs of going abroad for work, travel, school, or for any other reason! She breaks her book up by country, outlining the differences in working conditions, earnings, lifestyles, and the booming industries in each place. For each country she outlines specific companies and organizations to work or volunteer for. She even goes into aspects about how to prepare to leave, such as what to bring, what you might need at the border, and even outlines how to attain a VISA. She outlines what legal documents are required in each specific country, money conversion, how taxes work in each place and even what to do if you need to do a money transfer to or from home. She also provides tips on staying healthy in a new country and gives information on which insurance providers to go with.

With all of this preparation speak she also provides a disclaimer to warn the new traveler that once you start, it's often difficult to stop - for many reasons. She reminds her reader that travelling can become very addicting, and not to get yourself into a situation where you can't make it home. It can be difficult setting out, but once you're there it's often much easier to stay there than come home because the resettlement process can often be severe, leaving you feeling like you're "back to reality" and that "life was so much easier abroad". Being prepared and planning ahead carefully can help you steer clear of any negative feelings for home or the country that you've travelled to.

The section entitled "Extremis" is a particularly interesting read as it offers up examples of extreme scenarios a worker or traveler abroad might find themselves in and offers practical solutions to overcoming them. The Independent coined this book "the globetrotter's bible" and I believe that Griffith's coverage of all countries, scenarios, and possible questions that someone might never have considered before is what makes this statement true. Her appendices are also very helpful as she offers a currency conversion chart, useful phrases for all countries, possible travel itineraries and even international dialing codes.

This book truly has it all and it's a definite must-read for anybody who wants to live or travel abroad, for any duration of time. I plan on going to teach abroad
when I am done school and I found it to be an invaluable resource and researching tool.

Good luck and happy travels!

Brittany

PS. If you want some tips for how to create a resume, CV or cover letter for the country you intend on travelling to, or an online search of the popular industries abroad, check out Going Global!

Still No Summer Job?!

So it's the end of July, summer's practically over and you still can't find a job. Never fear - there's still some things you can do to fill your time, and ways to prepare yourself for next year's job search!

1. Volunteer
 - Agencies are always looking for people who are interested in helping out - no deadlines or worrying about the competition! An easy way to get that experience you might be looking for, just without the pay check (if you can manage that).

2. Job Search for September
 - At this point, a lot of places are listing their jobs for the upcoming school year when their student staff might be heading back to their university towns, or just moving on after their summer position. Now's a great time to start that search, and hey, you might get hired on early! Land yourself a school year job and make some cash for the last month of summer too!

3. Independent Skills Exploration
 - If it's a skill you want to work on, why not take the time to develop it on your own? You know that language that you've been meaning to learn, take it up now! You can learn about pretty much anything for free on websites like Open Culture, which provides free lectures to students! Languages are included. Or you could take the time to develop professionally; sign up for a workshop - see what's available in your city or school community!


Check out this website for some helpful tips for what to do in your summer job search, where to find jobs, and what to look for. Super helpful, and hey, it might even help you land something for August!

Brittany

Book Review: Networking for People Who Hate Networking

As an introvert I tend to feel an unnecessary isolation from the extroverted portion of our society. My occasional need for ‘me time’ and an extroverts constant need for social stimulation has, in the past, created boundaries during conversation. Things can get awkward and uncomfortable for both parties when the need of each individual isn’t being met – especially when you’re at a networking event.

Devora Zack’s charming guide 'Networking for People Who Hate Networking' provides a humorous and comprehensive analysis of both sides of the spectrum. Networking can be intimidating for everyone, even extroverts, which makes this book an excellent companion for all of the social (and not so social) butterflies out there.  

Zack creates an immersive read with her comedic writing style and light hearted attitude. My favourite chapter, Networking Survival Kit, covers the basics of a networking event from conversation management (feeling in control of the conversation from start to finish) to dealing with your networking name tag. Zack takes a genuine fear of many individuals and turns it into something that is almost bearable (almost!)

‘Networking for People Who Hate Networking’ has the potential to unite, what Zack cleverly calls Introville and Extroland, allowing us all to remove those awkward moments from professional interaction. In general, in order to succeed in each others company we require a solid understanding of how the mind of our opposites work. I can question all day why someone would choose to spend their evenings surrounded by other people in a crowded bar or I can take the time to learn about why extroverts require this type of environment to flourish. And, in return, extroverts can take the time to understand why I prefer to spend my time curled up on my couch with my dog, a cup of Earl Grey, and a good book. 

'Networking for People Who Hate Networking' is available for citizens of both Introville and Extroland in the Career Resource Centre!

- Ashley

Book Review: No Canadian Experience, Eh?

It's tough enough for Canadians to get hired with relevant experience in their field, let alone for those who do not. These people end up stretching out their achievement statements in order to prove how their skills qualify them; it can be a difficult process. Now imagine the difficulty for a person who might have little to no experience, or even some excellent and relateable experience, but not in the country which they're applying. This is a common occurrence for International Students and Immigrants, people who come to Canada seeking better education or work, but without Canadian experience they can end up feeling lost.

Brock University is full of International students who choose to stay in Canada following their studies to pursue something in their field here. What some of them are realizing is that their lack of Canadian experience is getting in the way of their career goals and job search. Or is it..?

In the second edition of "No Canadian Experience, Eh?" Daisy Wright covers literally everything a Canadian newcomer will need to know about how to immerse themselves in the culture of our career search, and even provides some helpful tips about Canadian culture as a whole (the term "eh?" is defined on page xiii, haha).  From attaining the accurate legal documents and creating a resume, to putting the references sheet together, sample thank-you letters and even success stories, this book has it all!


Wright identifies key areas where an immigrant to Canada might have difficulty transitioning, especially when it comes to job search. She provides specific suggestions for how to deal with resume writing, filling in gaps and structuring all experiences, as well as how to market yourself and prepare for the interview.  At the end of each section there is even a quiz to complete, helping the reader guage how well they are understanding the material in order to ensure confidence as they move forward in their Canadian career search!

Another great aspect about this book is something we're very big on at Career Services - goal setting and self assessments! She begins the book by having the reader get to know themselves, and understand how to set achieveable goals for their job search. She reminds the reader that it could be a lengthy process, but knowing yourself and making SMART Goals are imperative first steps to help make the process go smoother, if not faster!

My favourite part of the book is Chapter 9: Navigating the Job Search Maze. This chapter includes various sections on success tips, real life examples of job search mistakes, the hiring manager's perspective in the process, and even suggestions for preparing yourself for a job layoff. As an immigrant to Canada herself, Wright has a good understanding of what information is important to relay to Canadian newcomers in order to facilitate job search success and confidence, with no surprises!

Here are a few testimonials about how beneficial this book is, if I haven't yet convinced you:

"this book is an outstanding resource tool and thoroughly prepares our newcomers to take a pro-active and fresh look at addressing some fo the employment barriers that they will face"
Dauna Jones-Simmonds - Manager, Diversity Programs and Initiatives, TD Banks

"a must read for new immigrants. I wish I had this book before coming to Canada"
 T. Small, Legal Assistant

"This book is outstanding. It provides many valuable resources to people who plan to immigrate to Canada, and it allows newcomers to take a fresh look at the challenges they could face in immigrating, but also offers advice on how to overcome those challenges"
D.r Cheng, former University Professor in Taiwan

I'd also say that after reviewing this book, I find that the tips that Wright provides are beneficial for every job seeker in the Canadian market as her tips are universal to the fundaments of Canadian job search success.

 So those of you reading this blog who feel like you could benefit from some guidance on how to structure your resume and job search without any Canadian experience, never fear - drop by the Career Resource Centre in the Learning Commons and have a look through! You won't be disappointed :)

Brittany

Book Review: Designing a Digital Portfolio

We may live in an age where the job market is extremely competitive, but there is one thing that current job hunters have that previous generations didn't: a much bigger world of job opportunities! Thanks to the internet we are able to connect with potential employers world wide. One of the greatest ways for artists, architects, programmers, photographers, game developers, or any other visually creative individual to reach this global audience is by creating a digital online portfolio.  

Nothing feels greater to an artist then having their work fashioned together in a way that highlights their character and talent for curious employers. But what does the creation process of such a medium entail? Cynthia L. Baron's book 'Designing a Digital Portfolio' (2nd Edition) highlights the process of creating an online portfolio, what to include, and how to present it.

Baron covers topics such as digitizing your art, writing your biography (keep it short and sweet!), portfolio reels, and the risk associated with posting your work online. With plenty of eye-catching images and creative page layouts, this portfolio guide is easy to navigate and offers information for both tech savvy individuals and fearful technophobes. 

Complete with examples of real digital portfolio's at the end of each chapter, 'Designing a Digital Portfolio' is an excellent resource for both beginners and experts of the digital realm. I highly suggest that students in Brock programs such as Visual Arts, Interactive Arts and Science, Computer Science, and Film take the time to read through the information within this book and begin organizing their own creations into an inspiring online presence.

If you are interested in reading 'Designing a Digital Portfolio' by Cynthia L. Baron, feel free to visit Career Services at Brock University. If you are looking to creating a more traditional portfolio we have plenty of resources and sample portfolios that have been generously donated by Brock alumni from programs such as Classics, Recreation and Leisure, and Biomedical Sciences!

I wish you the best of luck with the creation of your portfolio! If you have any questions or would like your portfolio reviewed Career Services will be more then happy to assist you! :)

- Ashley, Summer Career Assistant