Networking At Events/In-Person

You've found the perfect event to get out there and begin networking for a career. This can be an overwhelming feeling, breath, because you made it through the toughest part. You're reached the right spot to begin gathering knowledge on career networking. Procrastinating may have carried us through our undergrad degree, but the best prep for any event is done in advance. Secure your spot by registering in advance if the event requires. Would not want to travel on a series of buses for three hours and not get in, right? Even worse, walking into the event and giving a blank smile to who could potentially be your next ally. This leads to point number two, research, research, research. Knowledge is power and the more you know of the folks you are with and career cultural norms, the more you will have to talk about! Let's make sure all this hard work does not go to waste and document all these great ideas. Using a small notepad, jot down the names of key people you would like to meet, some questions you may ask and some conversation topic buzzwords to get you through the painful small talk. Being prepared may mean notepad and paper copy resumes to some and to others it may mean a clean, sophisticated business card with your contact information and personal portfolio URL. Now that you have the power it's time to work on the performance.  

 

Remember how we are not going to procrastinate anymore? Perfect. This means we will be on time and we will arrive early, yay us! Before mingling amongst your future connections, make sure to stop by and grab an event program and floor plan if available. Even if you aren't the one for strategizing every detail, an event planner is an excellent distraction read for all your awkward moments. And that's the thing, this will be a bit of an awkward practice at first. Don't sweat, and be patient, this is a new skill you are working on and all skill development takes time. With a deep breathe you are ready to open your first network. It will be a little messy at first and after some exposure you will begin to develop a rhythm and a know for which questions are appropriate to ask. Start with introducing yourself and asking your new connection about their work and/or company. This will get the conversation to naturally progress towards the opportunities available. Wrap things up considerably, offer a salutation and ask for a business card. Each of you should leave feeling more connected and knowledgeable on what you have to offer each other.  

Etiquette is another extremely important topic for networking. We need to understand how our verbal and non-verbal communication is perceived by others in order to portray the right image or intended image. Good body language, a confident & energetic voice, reading a persons business card before pocketing it, and having non-business discussions can be excellent ways to improve one's networking skills. On the other hand, dressing inappropriately can have adverse effects on your networking efforts. As intermediate fashionistas, we advise to  avoid wearing a belt and suspenders, socks that contrast your suit and overpowering scents. We understand it is difficult to refrain from full diva but do try and avoid overwhelming jewelry, elaborate hairstyles, low cut tops,  and etc. With these tips in mind, you are ready to let your nexus unfurl.  

For more information on Networking stop by CareerZone in Market Hall and talk to one of our Career Assistants! 

It All Adds Up

The month of November signals the start of an exciting campaign called It All Adds Up! Have you ever wondered how all your experiences, hobbies, and passion come together? If you have, you are not alone and filling out a poster may be just what you need. The campaign has been created to help reduce students' uncertainty of the gap between their accomplishments and future aspirations. Many students focus on continually adding more experiences to their repertoire without considering the impact it may have on achieving their future goals. 

Completing an It All Adds Up poster will give you a snapshot of your current career path and how well it aligns with your goals. The CareerZone staff is well trained in advising for this types of situations and can provide helpful resources and knowledge to develop a plan for achieving your future goals. The following image is an example of an It All Adds Up poster created by a Career Assistant at Brock University.  

For all of you interested in participating, come visit CareerZone located in Market for a template, or be as creative as you like designing your own poster. Students who complete a poster can tag #ItAllAddsUp and #brocku to spread the word. At the end of each month until April we will be giving away a $25 gift card, so be sure to include your name, student number, and Instagram handles on the back of your poster. Feel free to post your own It All Adds Up poster or email it to us, career@brocku.ca, and we will post it. 

Teachers College: Where Should I be Applying?

As the semester winds down, Teacher's College applications approach! The deadline to apply is December 1st, so make sure you get your applications in ASAP. Applications can be very lengthy as they may require references, personal statements, or other supporting materials, so plan ahead and don't miss the deadline!

In terms of where you can apply for Teacher's College in Ontario, there are a number of different options that all offer different programs and different course plans that may be beneficial to you.

Teaching programs in Ontario are available at the following universities:

To apply to teaching programs in Ontario, visit the Teaching Education Application Services (TEAS), which offers an Application Guide that has a step-by-step breakdown of how the application process works and various important topics related to the teachers college.

TEAS is supported by the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) for applicants to the Faculties of Education for the teacher's colleges in Ontario.

When applying to Teacher's College it is important to consider the different areas of programs available:

1. Primary/Junior: Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6
2. Junior/Intermediate: Grade 4 through Grade 10
3. Intermediate/Senior: Grade 7 through Grade 12
4. Technological Education: This program is only available at a few faculties of education. Refer to each faculty of education’s section for additional information

You will also have to select the teaching subjects that are required within your program, which is outlined on TEAS.

Admission requirements vary based on the program and institution of choice so be sure to check the individual school's sites for more information.

Should you have any questions about teacher's college, feel free to drop by CareerZone in our NEW centre in Guernsey Market!