Canada Career Month: Mission Possible!

 

Welcome to November and Canada Career Month!

If not now, when? Unlock your potential It’s Possible!

“I got a C in Organic Chemistry, but now I am in my 3^rd year of Medical School”… It’s possible!

“I worked 2 jobs while going to school full-time to start my handmade jewelry business”…It’s possible!

“I started Undergrad at 26 years old, since then I have graduated, and I am an accountant” …It’s possible!

We have all heard about these stories of people overcoming obstacles, and are now successful at what they do, maybe this is you, or maybe this is someone you know. The theme for Canada Career Month is “It’s Possible!” This means what ever you want to do, no matter how farfetched it sounds, you must believe that you can do it. Write it down, and then from there you can find a way to achieve those goals. Ellen Sirleaf once said “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough”. Thankfully, you do not have to plan out your journey to success on your own. 

CareerZone is here to help! Offering Virtual Cafés and drop in Q&A sessions, that are centered around developing your skills, expanding your network, how to nail that interview and get the job you want. The goal is to put you in a position where you can take charge of your Career Journey and find meaning in a career that you are passionate about. 

Perhaps volunteering is your passion, you can satisfy your desire to help others in so many ways. It’s possible to see your ideas come to life by building that Career Portfolio that you have always read and heard about, but you did not know exactly what that meant. Staff at CareerZone are more than willing and excited to help you review your resume/cover letter, portfolio and guide you in tracking your journey to success via the Student Experience Record. It’s as simple as emailing your questions, resume/cover letter and portfolio to career@brocku.ca. You have your own lived experience and your own story to tell, it’s possible to reflect on your own story in order to help you and others move forward towards their goals. Your voice is important, your ideas and thoughts are important and we are here to help! 

Along with professional development, CareerZone is here to help you in finding that work-life balance that we desperately need for improved mental health and overall development. Some of the activities and Cafes surrounding the month of endless possibility involves, work-life balance workshops, Mentorship, Networking, and many more. 

CareerZone can help you develop your own sense of curiosity that can allow you to explore new learning opportunities. Help develop a plan and help to persevere despite setbacks. Help you adjust and become flexible to the constant change, while still maintaining an optimistic personality and not being afraid to take risks even when the situation is uncertain. Drop in on a Q&A, and Café to take the next steps towards your career! #careermonth #ItsPossible

Connect With Us!
We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer any inquiries you may have.

Follow Us Our Social Media to Stay Up-to-Date With All our Upcoming Events and Workshops!
Twitter: @BrockCareerZone
Instagram: @brockcareerzone
 
Written by Kwasi Duah, Career Assistant
Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department

Preparing For a Career Event

Career Zone offers many Career Events to help you find employers and expand your network!

Where can I find Career Zone Events?
It’s simple! All you need to do is log onto your Career Zone portal: https://careerzone.brocku.ca. Once you have accessed your portal you can find all Career Events under the “Campus Career” or “Goodman Career” tabs in the Dashboard drop down menu, under “Events”. All events are listed monthly. ​You can click on each of the events for a description and register online (if necessary) as well.  

How can I prepare for an upcoming Career Event?
Great question! It is always important to prepare for a Career Event beforehand to ensure that you can make the most of the event. Once you’ve registered for the event (if required), it is important to research and review the available job opportunities offered. You can also prepare a list of employers you would like to connect with so you can prepare some questions for each of those employers. Before attending the event, it is also important to dress professionally. Be sure to check out our Dress + Communication Etiquette resource to learn about dress and communication etiquette.  Another great tip is to bring a note pad and pen with you during the event to record all your interactions and to jot down any important information.   

(NACE. 2017. https://community.naceweb.org/blogs/melena-postolowski/2017/10/10/gender-inclusive-professional-dress-guidelines) 

Wow! That’s a lot to remember! Good thing we have all these resources on Career Zone in case you need a reminder! To access these resources, log onto your Career Zone portal > Student resources > Quick Tips.

What should I do during a Career Event?
Another great question! For in-person events, it is always a good idea to arrive early if possible, to become familiar with the event layout. If the event is online, be sure to keep your camera and mic on and maintain a visible presence. Before diving into questions about the available opportunities the employers have, you want to introduce yourself first so you can personally connect with the employers. Additionally, be sure to collect contact information to follow up after the event (e.g., business cards or LinkedIn information). Last, but not least, stay patient.  It might take some time to connect with employers if the event is busy.!

Are there any upcoming Career Events?

Yes, there are! We have three very exciting Career Events coming up in October and  November! 

FDM Group Info Session will be taking place on October 25^th from 4:30-5:30pm. FDM is a Career Program for recent graduates in Canada. This online workshop will provide you with an understanding of what roles in the IT/Tech sector exist post-graduation. It will also outline what duties and responsibilities fall within the IT/TECH sector. Bring your questions and register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom.

The Nursing Career & Networking Fair will be taking place on October 27^th from 1:00-3:00pm. This virtual event will bring together 25+ Health Care organizations from across Ontario and Canada (e.g., Niagara Health, SickKids, etc.). It is an amazing opportunity to engage with potential employers, learn about what each organization has to offer, and to build your network! Register here: https://hopin.com/events/nursing-career-networking-fair.

The Exploring Careers in Law, Security & Government Event will be taking place on November 1^st at 5:00-7:00pm. This virtual event will feature industry professionals who work in security and law. This event will teach you about the career options, industry trends, and strategies for getting a job within the outlined fields. Register here: https://hopin.com/events/exploring-careers-in-law-security-government.

To better prepare for the event, you can attend virtual networking prep sessions, available on the Career Zone Campus Career Event calendar.

Connect With Us!
We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer any inquiries you may have. 

Follow Us Our Social Media to Stay Up-to-Date With All our Upcoming Events and Workshops!
Twitter: @BrockCareerZone
Instagram: @brockcareerzone 
 
Written by Megan Vlahiotis, Career Assistant
Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department
 

Talentoday

 Talentoday

Career exploration can be a daunting journey but navigating it using the right resources and tools can help one succeed. Getting to know what the right career is for you, is not a benchmark to be crossed but rather a journey to be explored. It’s never too late to get started on this journey and career assessments play a crucial part in this journey of yours. Career Assessments help in getting to know yourself better in terms of your personality, values and skills. Quite often students tend to get started on their job search without trying to explore and know about their interest and experiences. It is important to recognise these qualities and traits in order to know what type of a career or job would be the best suited for you. These assessments help you know your strengths and work on gaining new skills.  

There are many different career assessments available on Career Zone that students are advised to check out. Each of these help students in different aspects of career planning and personality and skills identification. Talent Today is one such assessment offered. It assesses your personality and motivations in relation to your career options. This assessment is composed of three aspects, that are the motivations radar (focusing on what motivates you), talent id (helps you know your best skills), and the personality radar (focusing on five dimensions: communicate, manage, dare, adapt and excel). Once you’re done with your profile completion, you get to discover jobs that match best with the results. Talent Today also has an amazing feature of providing you with charts and graphs based on your personal data which looks great on a LinkedIn Profile or a Career Portfolio. 

You can access the Talent Today and the other assessments as well for free! To access it: 

• Log onto careerzone.brocku.ca and sign in using your student id and password 

• Click on the “Student Resources” tab on the dashboard 

• Click on “Explore Careers” and scroll down to the “Career Assessments” section 

Now you can choose an assessment to complete. We hope these assessments help you towards your journey of navigating a successful career path!  

Written by Mansi Vansia, Career Assistant 
Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard!

With the start of the fall semester, we would like to welcome aboard our 2021-2022 Career Assistant team! We are excited to have you all on our team, and with your experience, skills, and talents, we look forward to sharing many successes.

Kwasi Duah

(Honours Psychology Research, minor in Child & Youth Studies, 3^rd Year.)

Hi, my name is Kwasi. My favourite courses at Brock include Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 2P15), Lifespan Development (PSYC 2P12) and Child and Youth Studies (CHYS 1F90). My areas of interest also include mental health, a focus on children and youth, specifically those with exceptionalities/special needs. Additionally, I am interested in Medicine and pursuing a career in Medicine. My future research interests lie towards water play, specifically how that impacts cognitive development, namely for children with exceptionalities/special needs. I am also a Don of Activities this year!

Mansi Vansia

(Business Economics Co-op, 3^rd Year.)

Hi, my name is Mansi, and my favourite course is Introduction to Marketing (MKTG 2P51). It was the point of inception for my interest in advancing in it, and the case studies made the course so interesting and insightful! Introductory and Intermediate Microeconomics has also been another favourite of mine. My areas of interest include basketball, treks, and the beach. I’ve been a high school basketball player and I’m always up for hikes and beach trips! Currently, I am the Marketing co-chair for Brock Relay for Life, Junior Writer for HerCampus at BrockU and the Membership Engagement Officer for Brock Mental Health Association this year. 

Megan Vlahiotis

(BA in Psychology, minor in Child & Youth Studies, 3^rd Year.)

Hi there! I’m Megan Vlahiotis, and I’m a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Child and Youth Studies. Some of my favourite Brock courses that I've taken thus far are CHYS 2P35: Children and Youth with Exceptionalities, CHYS 2P38: Childhood, Youth and Society, and PSYC 2P37: Brain and Behaviour II. I’m interested in research surrounding abnormal psychology, developmental cognition, and socialization in child and youth development. I currently work and volunteer in several Brock research labs within the Psychology and Child and Youth departments. I enjoy getting involved with clubs such as the Brock Eco Society, and love playing on different intramural teams!

Aditi Gopikrishna

(Bachelor of Business Administration, minor in Applied Computing, 4^th Year)

Hi, I’m Aditi. My favourite courses include Augmented Reality Marketing (MKTG 4P37) and Fluency in Technology (APCO 1P01). I have a passion for dancing and have been dancing since the age of four/ five. I also am passionate about my micro-blogging platform I started last year to help navigate undergraduate career and lifestyles. Currently, I am the Human Resources Coordinator for Goodman Business Students’ Association, the Marketing and Publicity Director for HerCampus at BrockU and the Treasurer for the Brock Malayalee Association.

Jessica Kroeze

(Honours BA in Ancient Art and Archaeology, 2^nd Year)

Hi, my name is Jessica. I'm in my second year of the Ancient Art and Archaeology program. My favourite course so far has been Myths of Greek and Roman Gods (CLAS1P95). I'm interested in Classics, TV, movies, dogs, and cooking. I'm also a part of the Law Plus co-curricular program and hope to join BUAS (Brock University Archaeological Society) this year!

Jordan Sheridan

(Biological Sciences, Classics Minor, 3^rd Year)

Hi, my name is Jordan. I am in the Med Plus Program at Brock University. My favourite courses so far have been Principles of Zoology (BIOL 2P92), Principles of Microbiology (BIOL 2P98) and Myths of the Greek and Roman Gods (CLAS 1P951)! My areas of interest include Medicine (animal and human health), Mindfulness and Gratitude, Horseback Riding, Painting and Graphic Design. I love dogs, with my own being a beautiful Belgian Malinois! I absolutely love to get involved with extracurricular activities; I currently volunteer as a distress line responder at Compass Community Services, as a stablehand at Equine Ability Niagara and aid in flu-drives and COVID vaccination clinics with Portage Medical Family Health Team. I develop my leadership skills as an executive on the Faculty of Mathematics and Science Council, the Brock Stem Cell Club and the Brock Mental Health Association Club. In my spare time I partake in horseback riding and other endeavours such as the safe transportation of puppies and kittens to their forever home!

New Goodman Career Assistant

Angelina Shtramel

(Honours Bachelor of Business Administration, Conc. Accounting, 3^rd Year)

Hi, I’m Angelina! My favourite courses are Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 1P91), Introduction to Finance (FNCE 2P91), Operations Management (OPER 2P91) and Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 1F94). Some of my interests also include finance and management, Art, Yoga, Cooking, Classical Literature and Philosophy. I have always had a great interest in Finance and Management, which led me to my choice of program. I love exploring and doing Art as a hobby, especially fauvism, expressionism, and pop art. I have been practising various kinds of Yoga for more than 10 years such as Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa flow, and Bikram. Nutrition and cooking healthier alternatives are another thing I am very interested in. I love to read and reflect on classical literature and philosophical theories. My favourite writers include Chekhov and Dostoevskiy, and the philosophers I like are David Hume and René Descartes. Other extracurricular activities I am involved in are volunteering, and a current accounting Internship. 

Returning Career Assistants

Yaa Asare

(Honours Bachelor of Public Health, 4^th Year)

Hi, my name is Yaa. This year I will be returning as the Lead Career Assistant for CareerZone, within CCEE. In my new leadership role, I hope to usher our new career assistants comfortably into their new roles and help provide Brock University students with the appropriate resources for their career journey. My favourite courses at Brock include Qualitative Research in Health Sciences (HLSC 3P37), The Health of Children (HLSC 3P80), Cardiac Rehabilitation Practicum (HLSC 3P95), Nutrition (HSLC 2P91), Processes of Health and Wellness (HLSC 3P92) and Health Quality Improvement Special Projects (HLSC 4F91). My interest includes quality improvement in healthcare, global health, healthcare management, and anything related to the health of children, as I aspire to become a pediatrician (globally). Currently, I am part of Brock Niagara Rotaract, a social media coordinator for Brock University Ghana Association (B.U.G.A.) and a member of Interprofessional Education for Quality Improvement Program (I-EQUIP) and Brock Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).

Brieanna Wannack

(Concurrent Education, Intermediate Senior Program, 3^rd Year)

Hi, I’m Brieanna! I am entering my third year in the Concurrent Education Intermediate Senior program with a teachable in English and History. My favourite courses include The Study of Language (LING 1F25) and Young People’s Literature after 1914 (ENGL 2P11). I have a passion for helping children of all ages in achieving their goals. Outside of the university, I enjoy yoga and skating. Not only am I a Senior Career Assistant, but this year I am also entering the role as the Co-Curricular Record Assistant with Career Education! 

Returning Goodman Career Assistant

Liam Nowacki

(BBA, minor in Applied Computing, 4^th Year)

My name is Liam, and I am a senior Career Assistant for the Goodman School of Business here at Brock University. I’m currently in my final year of the BBA program while also pursuing a minor in Applied Computing. My favorite courses are all the coding courses I’m taking for my minor, I love the problem solving and figuring out the simplest way to solve complex tasks. Outside of work I’m looking to continue my DECA competitions for Goodman School of Business and further improve on our award-winning season last year. When I’m not focused on academics you can usually find me running around St. Catharines as I train for my first marathon or enjoying finally being able to be on campus this year.

Connect With Us!

We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer any inquiries you may have. 

Follow Us Our Social Media to Stay Up-to-Date With All our Upcoming Events and Workshops!

Twitter: @BrockCareerZone
Instagram: @brockcareerzone 

Written by Yaa Asare, Lead Career Assistant and Blog Manager
Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department

Gateway Resources: Volunteer and Job Postings Board

We are two weeks away from the first day of classes, and we cannot wait to welcome our Brock Badgers!

Next week, the CareerZone Blog will have a detailed post of the resources and services that Career Education provides for all Brock students.

At this time, we want to garner your attention to a few gateway resources that can help you get started with navigating your career!

1. Quick Tip Cards

Located all throughout the CareerZone portal (careerzone.brocku.ca), the Quick Tips provide you with an introduction to our resources and services, including important career-related topics like interviews, job search, networking, and more!

2. Job Posting Boards on CareerZone

There are hundreds of opportunities found on the internal job boards on CareerZone, and this is where on-campus jobs can be located.

3. Volunteer Job Postings

In July 2021, CareerZone launched a Volunteer Job Postings board to help connect students to volunteer opportunities at Brock and in the community. For additional volunteer assistance, please connect with CareerZone, Brock University Volunteer Association (BUVA), Student Life and Community Experience..

Connect with us via the online chat on the Co-op, Career and Experiential Education website or email us at career@brocku.ca.

Brand new sections on CareerZone: Co-Curricular Record and Volunteering

Students Starting From Scratch: CCEE Career Advice

Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) Department at Brock University

Co-op Education 

Associate Director Julia Zhu 

“Cultivate a growth mindset with positive thinking, [and] embrace diverse experiences purposefully and reflect to see how to keep moving forward differently.” 

Student Talent Coach Jason Peng 

“A lot of students jump right into their job search without actually taking the time to explore for themselves – through self reflection or with CCEE staff – what their interests or goals are, and what relevant skills and experiences they already have. 

As a result, the first few waves of applications they submit are disorganized, non-specific and lackluster. It will save [students] a lot of time, effort and wasted opportunities to get those fundamental things clear before proceeding with any applications.  

That way when [students] do apply, they’re sending very clearly targeted applications which represent them in the best way possible.” 

Career Education 

Med Plus Advisor Pam Isaak 

“I think the biggest piece of advice to students is to notice and follow their hearts’ guidance. I graduated with a degree in business, specializing in marketing (Brock BBA 2005) and I began my career in the not-for-profit world! I loved event management and fundraising, both areas I had no formal training in, and took a leap of faith that my degree and my love for helping others, when combined, would land me in a role that I would be passionate about.  

Fifteen years later and thanks to staying attuned to my heart, my sincere love of community engagement has brought me all the way back to Brock and helping students gain experience and skills to follow their dreams. 

Every student should take some time to sit with their heart and listen. It’s speaking to each and every student if they only take the time to listen.” 

Experiential Education 

Associate Director Sandy Howe  

“Having gone to a much larger school, I think Brock students are particularly supported to build a pathway for their future!  

What I would say to a student is this: I don’t believe you’re actually starting from scratch, even though you may disagree! I mean, you lived your life until today, right? You have plenty of life experience, built character and have opinions already about what you like and don’t like! That’s a lot of great information to build on! 

Right now, if I had to give you a nugget of advice, I’d say use your resources and get busy! Register for a class that has an experiential opportunity within it already and get great experience directly in your classes! Talk to someone in Career Education about possible careers and work backwards from there! Talk to someone at BUSU about clubs, connect with Student Life about volunteering and complete the Campus-Wide Co-Curriculum in ExperienceBU! 

Everything you do will benefit you if you take the time to process what you’ve learned, how you’ve grown and changed and what skills you feel more confident with! 

Surgite!” 

Experiential Education Coordinator Kristen Nilsen 

“My advice to students would be that it’s ok to not know what you want to do after university, but to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the opportunities at the university that can help you figure out with your path may be.  

Look for classes that you are curious about but be open and willing to participate in the courses you have to take but don’t necessarily love. There’s always something to be learned in each course you take, both about the subject matter, and yourself. Finding out you don’t like something can be just as valuable as finding out you do like something.  

Connect with Brock services and student organizations. Connect with your classmates, staff and faculty. Be open to new opportunities and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Be open-minded and flexible about what your future may look like, as career paths are not always linear, and often we find ourselves on a different path than we planned when we first stepped on campus! 

I could never have imagined the career path I have been on since graduating when I started my first year of university with plans to be an accountant. But it was through feeling brave enough to make a change when I knew I wasn’t on the right path, pursing my interests when I took classes I loved, engaging with campus student clubs, and connecting with staff on campus that I was able to navigate a meaningful (and unexpected) journey working in Higher Education.” 

Written by Lisa Brown, Career Assistant and Blog Manager
Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department

 

Back to School Blog Series 
 
1. Students Starting From Scratch: CCEE Career Advice 
2. Adaptability: Learning, Working From Home and More 
3. Gateway Resources: Job Postings, Volunteer Boards and More 
4. How CareerZone Can Help You 
5. Peer Mentors: 2021-2022 Career Assistants