Happy Holidays! See You in 2013!

Career Services is now closed.

We reopen January 2, 2013 from 9:00-4:00.

Regular hours begin January 7, 2013 (9:00-4:30) 

Looking for something to do over the holidays? Consider building a portfolio! 

 Happy Holidays Badgers! See you in the new year!

- Ashley, Sr. Career Assistant

Hot "IT" Jobs for 2013!

2013 is predicted to be another successful year for computer science and interactive arts an science graduates! If you are looking to grab a high paying job in the technology industry consider the following 5 career options that are showing favorable employment opportunities in the new year!

  

Network Engineers:  

"Those who can effectively engineer the integration of cloud computing with other new technologies and maintain a secure transfer of data to multiple locations via LANs or WANs will have little trouble finding work." - IT World Canada

Average Forecasted Salary: Between $79,500 and $104,250 (on average)  

Mobile Application Developer:

"As smart phones and tablets continue to change the way we communicate, do business, and access news & entertainment, the demand for new and innovative mobile apps is growing at an incredible speed." - IT Career Finder 

Average Forecasted Salary: $95,000

User Experience (UX) Designers:

"Since so much customer interaction happens online, companies are looking for workers who can create positive digital experiences." - Discovery News

Average Forecasted Salary: Between $73,000 and $110,500

Interactive Creative Directors: 

"As companies of all sizes add interactive roles, they seek professionals with superb leadership skills and digital expertise to manage these growing teams". - Geek Wire

Average Forecasted Salary: $95,500 to $160,000 (for 1-5 years of experience)

Search Engine Optimizations/Search Engine Marketing Specialists:

"These individuals are responsible for formalising search SEO and SEM strategies and tactics. Other duties include analysing website traffic, as well as developing website assessments and recommendations." - IT World Canada

Average Forecasted Salary: Between $75,000 and $95,000 (for 3+ years of experience)

 

We have a number of books available in the centre for students interested in brainstorming career options in the technology field. Feel free to stop by and take a look! 

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Our holiday hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 - 4:00 until December 21. 

Good luck on your exams/final assignments!

- Ashley :)  

 

Using Time Wisely: Networking Over the Holidays!

Are you all done exams/assignments and have nothing to do? Of course you're enjoying your free time after a crazy final month of the semester, catching up on much needed and overdue sleep. Maybe you're seeing your friends, family, and other loved ones. Or maybe you're like me and diving into a good book that you've been meaning to read since now you've got the time! But there are lots of other productive things we could all be doing over the holiday break and one of them is networking!

You might be asking, "what does she mean? I'm going to be spending the month cuddled on my couch watching Holiday Movies for the next two weeks, with odd Holiday Parties and dinners to attend. How could I possibly network?" WELL, you don't have to change that!  I'm going to give you some suggestions for how to network while doing all of the regular things you normally do over the holidays anyway! Don't believe me? Keep reading....

1. Holiday Parties: Tell EVERYONE what you do.  You know those awkward conversations you always seem to have at holiday parties where you cannot wait to inch away AS SOON AS the conversation slows or someone breaks eye contact? Use them to your advantage! Figure out who is going to be at these parties and make sure you rub elbows with those who you think you can benefit from talking to career wise! Even people you don't know - you never know who THEY know! Talk to  these people about what you're currently doing, what you hope to do and what your plan of action is - make an impression! Who knows what opportunities they might know about or even offer to you!

2. Holiday Greeting Cards: Send a Quick Update!  Save the generic holiday greeting for passing people at the mall - in YOUR holiday greeting cards make sure to update everyone on what you've been up to and encourage people to respond with the same! By updating others and finding out what they're doing in return, you'll have an opportunity to hear about new fields of interest and also consider where you might fit into someone else's plans right now.

3. Social Media: Catch up on Facebook! Go ahead and reactivate your Facebook account now that exams are over, we all know you want to. Take the time to see what everyone has been up to in the world of Facebook and Social Media in general (Twitter, Linkedin)! Did somebody update their job title? Any statuses about new opportunities or work promotions? Now's your chance to send out your congratulations and ask your friends/acquintances about how they got where they are! You never know what kinds of tips you might recieve! Who knew lurking could be so productive afterall? ;)

And in the meantime, now is your chance to also update your career documents so they are ready for whatever opportunities might come your way. In all seriousness, there are lots of people off work right now and very few people looking for employment - take this opportunity to be on the top of everybody's list of hires when they get back to work!  My advice - be ready!

Also, feel free to come by the Career Resource Centre to talk to us further about job searching and networking over the holidays! We can review your cover letter or resume in just 15 minutes! Open 9-4pm this month, Monday to Friday until the 21st, open again on January 2nd and regular hours beginning January 7th! A good reason to get up off the couch! :P

Happy Networking and see you soon!

Brittany
Sr. Career Assistant

Jack's Holiday Contest!

This is just a reminder about Jack's Super Awesome Holiday Contest! Don't forget to dress Jack up in anything that represents your family or culture's holiday and send it to csmedia@brocku.ca for a chance to win a $50 Campus Store Gift Card!

Things to include in the email:
 - name
 - brock email (if not emailing from that account)
 - phone number you can be reached by

Have fun and Happy Holidays!

Ps, Here's my Holiday Jack!

My family traditions include lots of mistletoe and big kisses from my grandma! Looks like she got Jack! :P


Best,

Brittany
Sr. Career Assistant

Information Interviews

The majority of job seekers today use job search sites and social media to find jobs. It has become all the rage recently to network yourself and rightly so. Most available positions are not visible to the public eye through these sites, thus requiring you to know somebody. If you're like me, then you always find yourself asking "Who is this somebody?"

Well this somebody is a person who becomes known through networking, being involved in your field, or, well, because you're lucky and someone in your family can give you an in!

For those of  us who aren't that lucky, I have the perfect way to follow the networking bandwagon while gaining insight information into your potential place of work. That is a double whammy!

The answer: INFORMATION INTERVIEWS

It is called an information interview when you, an interested potential/future employee, call a business or individual in the field in which you would like to work, and set up a time where you can call and interview them about their workplace, the field, and the company itself.

To get started I would suggest:

1. Contacting someone who you think you would want to speak with and ask them if they would be willing to answer a few of your questions at a convenient time for them

2. Go on the companies website and develop questions which you can ask them

3. If you are going in person, bring along your business cards and resume

4. Be sure to ask if they know of anyone else you may be able to speak with and ask them for one of their business cards before you leave

5. Send a letter, e-mail or card following the interview to thank them for their time


As you can see an information interview is an awesome way to make yourself known and to get to know your future field of study/work to make sure it is right for you. The more contacts you make the better it will be for you when you are applying. Then hopefully you can be the person saying " I knew somebody!".

All the best,
Rosemary

P.S I hope studying has been going well for you all!

Holiday Hours

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Well, it's getting there anyway. We know all of our hard-working Brock students are busy writing exams and finishing final papers during this busy month, but we are happy to let you know of our

Career Services will be OPEN from Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm through to December 22nd

AND

We will be CLOSED from December 24th to January 1st

But will REOPEN from January 2nd to 4th from 9:00am-4:00pm

Normal business hours will resume the week of January 7th.

So if you're done exams early or feel like filling a study break with some career resources, feel free to stop by and chat with a Career Assistant about any questions you may have. 

We hope to see you during this busy time!

- Lia

Avoiding Workplace Gossip

Everyone hears it and most of us have had some part in spreading it but if you're saying something about someone that you wouldn't say in their presence... then it's gossip!

Workplace gossip is not necessarily something you would want to engage in and it should be avoided at all costs especially in the workplace where it can compromise your professionalism and integrity.

You know that saying: "Its a small world"?... this pertains to the workplace too. 

Repercussions:

• resentment                                                           
• rivalries
• self conscienceness
• unnecessary tension
• lack of group cohesiveness
• negative effects on teamwork and productivity

 
As you can see, there are some serious reprecussions to engaging in workplace gossip and it is so prevalent and hard to avoid so I wanted to let you know about it and to provide you some helpful tips in preventing it!  I hope in knowing you will be able to easier recognize signs and learn some preventative measures.

Here are some strategies you may be interested in employing if you find your self faced with similar uncomfortable situations:

• Encourage open communication thus preventing workplace gossip to form in the first place 
• Change the subject to something more positive and preferablly work related
• Ignore it or fade it out trying of course not to be rude about it
• Politely say to the gossipers that you do not think this subject would be appropriate at work. Try maybe framing it in a way that depicts your interest so you are not attacking them (ex. I am sorry but this topic makes me feel uncomfortable).
• Approach supervisor and ask her to mention something in a meeting or on a bulletin that is overarching and does not target anyone specifically, but rather as something that has been noticed
• Finally, if the problem persists contact supervisor with a name and information on what you have been noticing specifically

We can all help in trying to stop gossip from spreading. It is hard to not engage in gossip.
While some information you could gain while gossiping is certainly interesting, it will not be life changing or necessary for your development. In fact, as we have shown it will likely be more detrimental than anything else.


ALSO....

I want to let you all know that career services is having another contest!! JACK'S HOLIDAY CONTEST for a chance to win $50 at the bookstore. All you have to do is dress up Jack in an outfit that is reminiscent of your families holiday festivities.

I know this is a lot of information for a Thursday, the last Thursday of class no less. Which if your like me, you are probably rejoicing!! Woot woot!

Remember Career Services will be open the entire exam period (9am-4pm)if you have questiosn about workplace gossip or need someone to talk to about any and all career related quandries.

Best of luck,
Rosemary

Proper Workplace Behavior 101

Whether or not you enjoy your current job it is important to uphold a positive reputation within the company. Not only should you keep yourself in line in order to maintain your position  but also to secure a solid reference for future jobs. Part-time jobs are not meant for slacking - building a positive relationship with co-workers and your boss can go a long way!

Below are a number of obvious but important things to keep in mind during your work shifts:

• Stay off your cell phone!
• We can all admit to having an issue with this. During a long (and especially boring) shift it's so tempting to check your phone or text your significant other. However, this is a serious offense in many workplaces and could lower your employers opinion of you - or worse, get you fired.
• Check your Facebook on your break or wait until you get home
• This is just as important as not checking your cell phone. Checking your Facebook is the best thing you can do if you're looking to get fired. Unless you are a social media coordinator save updating your status until you get home.
•  Stay on task
• It's great to have a good relationship with your co-workers but don't let socializing get in the way of the work you're getting paid to do!
•  Get to know your boss
• Make an effort to talk to your supervisor. Having a good working relationship with them will make your time at work easier for the both of you.
•  Arrive on time
• And if you're going to be late - call ahead! But try really hard to get to work about 15 minutes before your shift starts. This will allow you to properly prepare (ie. grabbing a coffee and checking your personal email!) before your shift starts.

Obvious but important things to remember!

 - Ashley

Why Compile A Portfolio? 5 Benefits

A portfolio is one of the hidden treasures in the world of career documents. In the Career Resource Centre we always vouche for students creating career portfolios; but why? Many of the customers we serve tend to be confused about what a porfolio could possibly be used for - what's the benefit to them?

Good question.

It's just a start, but here are 5 amazing benefits of compiling a portfolio:

1. You are able to organize your own thinking about your career development. It's incredible how once you have all of your documents in one place (and organized by section!), you are more able to clearly see how your experiences have culminated to what you've been working towards all this time.
2. It will assist in the presentation of your qualifications, skills, experiences and achievements. What better way to show off all of your hard work than to have it all in one place? Portfolios also serve as a great memory aid to remind you just how many things you've done so far in your academic or professional career.
3. It will give you an advantage over other job seekers. Portfolios, if used properly, can make potential employers remember you over other applicants. By flagging exactly what you'd like to show them and offering the concrete examples of your experiences in your portfolio it will definitely make you stand out.   
4. A portfolio increases your credibility by providing documentation that backs up your resume. Having tangible evidence that supports your achievements can really validate everything you include on your resume. Things like certificates, job performance reviews, awards, or writing samples can all work to provide an employer or educational institution the documentation they need that directly attests to the information you provided in your resume.
5. Portfolios are a great networking tool. Sometimes it becomes difficult describing an experience to another professional only using your words. Your portfolio can provide another person with a more in-depth look at your accomplishments which can push that individual to make a professional connection with you based on a better, more visual, representation of your skills.

Convinced yet?
I knew you would be!

Stop by the Career Resource Centre for information on how to get started on creating your very own portfolio.

Remember, it's only to your benefit!
- Lia

SMART FINISH 2013!

Graduating this school year (or next)? Anticipating further education or entry into the work force? Wondering what your next steps after graduation are? Well then don't miss out on this year's SMART FINISH 2013! From seminars on further education, to building a network, using social media in job search and useful strategies for paying back your OSAP, this conference has everything you need to finish your degree smart!

When? Saturday, January 19th, 2013
Time? 8:30-4:30pm
Cost? $20! with lunch provided :)
How to Register? Career Zone!

This event was a huge success last year so make sure to mark it on your calendar! Spaces fill up fast so keep an eye on Career Zone for the registration date! If you have any questions for how to prepare or what to expect, feel free to drop by the Career Resource Centre from 9-4:30pm, Monday to Friday and any of the Career Assistants would be happy to help you out!

See you soon!

Brittany
Sr. Career Assistant

Grad School Applications

Last year at this time I watched as all of the students, who had plans of pursuing post-grad programs, started to get stressed with all of the application procedures and deadlines; which, in some cases, are different for each school.

Fast-forward to this year and I am in their position while some of the other career assistants in the centre are watching me stress as I did to others last year.

I however, as a career assistant, feel that I am pretty knowledgeable about the steps involved in applying to grad school, so I started my process early! And now I am going to share some of that knowledge with you in hopes that it might relieve some stress if you are in the process of applying and that it might prepare you if you will be applying this or next year.

Also, if you are feeling overwhelmed, I want to let you know that you are not alone in that, and that this process is a very difficult one for everyone who has to go through it!

NOTE... IF YOU HAVEN'T STARTED PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS LET THIS BE YOUR WARNING TO START!

 

Seriously though, most of the processes are very intricate. While all programs require different things, here is a list of some important things common to almost all grad applications which you should start considering and preparing:

 

1. Transcripts

•  These can be ordered through your my.brocku.ca portal and they cost $12 each

2. Letter of Intent/Personal Statement

• If you do not know the difference or want resources on how to write one or both of these ducoments come into the resource centre and we can give you some tips and suggestions

3. Test Scores

• GMAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, PCAT, DAT, SAT
• most of these tests can be taken year long and multiple times
• Once you take the test or before you book it make sure to see when the applications for the program are due because you will need to include your test mark in your application

 

4. CV

• we have CV guidelines in the centre if you would like help writing one!

5. Online Application Component

 

6. Online Payment

 

7. References

• Each program will say what it is they would like from the references
• It is important that you talk with some professors or professionals-which one you use will depend on the program- and have them agree to be a reference for you
• Once they have agreed they will either need to fill out a form online which you have to send them, or the program you are applying to will send them a form which they will need to fill out and send to  the program
•  It will be your job to stay on top of your references to make sure that they submit your information by the deadline

8. Lastly find out if you are eligible for scholarships/ Grad funding

• This isn't a necessary step; but, it does help to off-set the cost of grad school and allows you to focus on your research by giving you enough money so that you don't have to work
• Some of these applications also require things such as reference letters, research proposals, etc and take quite a while to complete so make sure you find out when they are due (the due dates are on the Grad Studies website) so that you can leave yourself ample time to complete them

DEADLINES

 

It would be impossible for me to be able to tell you guys the due dates for every program because there are so many programs you can apply to which all have very different application due dates. But I will list some of the due dates to the more common programs which I hope will help!

 

If the program you are hoping to get into is not listed, I would recommend going on the Grad Studies site of the institution and looking up your specific program to find out when your program's application is due.

 

Most of this information was taken from the OUAC website, where, if your interested, you can find even more information about some of these processes!

 

Medical School--> October 1, 2012 (already passed!!)

Dental School--> Western and U of T = December 1, 2012

Law School--> November 1, 2012 for first year students, May 1, 2013 for upper year students

Master of Business--> @ Brock = rolling admission.. for April 2013 start, apply by March 30, 2013

Teacher's College--> Decomber 3, 2012 (for applications), December 10, 2012 (for money order or electronic payment and all supplementary application forms and the experience profile)

ORPAS (for OT, PT, AUD, SLP) --> January 11, 2013 at 11:59 pm

 

I know that I have just presented a lot of information but be sure to consult the Grad School Office of the school you wish to apply to in order to find out the specifics of the application process.

 

Hopefully, now that you have all of this wonderful information at your finger tips, you can go through the process with less stress.

 

One can only hope :)

 

All the best with your endeavours! And remember everyone at Career Services will be happy to assist you in preparing your documents if you want some extra help. If you would like further or more specific assistance than feel free to contact the program coodinator for the program you wish to apply to who will be pleased to answer any of your questions. If you are applying to a Brock program than most answers can be found on the Grad Studies website.

 

So if you aren't applying to the same program as me, then I wish you the best of luck and hope that you get in where you want to!

 

Good luck,

Rosemary

Senior Career Assistant

Teaching Resumes: Preparing for Future Employment

So you’re looking to become a teacher! You've got some great experience on your resume, but you're not sure how to format this into a TEACHING resume.

Teaching resumes are slightly different than the traditional resumes that you may be used to creating. Below is a list of differences that you should aware of when you begin constructing your document:

• Teaching resumes are generally 1-2 pages in length, including your references on the bottom. For those of you with a little more experience, if you go onto a third page with your teaching resume, that's usually okay.
• References should be individuals that have witnessed you working/volunteering in a teaching environment (i.e. principle, teacher, etc.). Unlike regular resumes, teaching resumes will always include your list of references. 
• Work and volunteering should be situated around teaching experiences. 
• Be specific about who you taught, what you taught (grade levels) and if you participated in any  extracurricular activities in your experiences.
• Key items that you want the employer to see first should go on the first half of the first page (i.e. teaching qualifications go here).
•  Does one of your references know the principal of the school you are applying to? Be sure to include them!

Stop by the Career Resource Centre in the Learning Commons to view our “Resume Samples for the Faculty of Education” binder. We have a small collection of teaching resumes that proved successful for the teaching candidates that used them.

Other Helpful Teaching Resources available in Career Services:

• 101 Career Alternatives for Teachers by Margaret M. Gisler
•  Education DEG: http://www.brocku.ca/webfm_send/13592
• Teaching Abroad Information
• Teaching College Binder + Handouts

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And remember to come by Career Services from Nov 12 – 16 (this week!) for International Education Week! Guess the answer to our world trivia question and enter our draw to win The Travel Book! 

See you soon!

- Ashley