Brock CareerZone Blog: July 2022

Monday, July 25, 2022

Volunteering as a Brock University Student

As the new school year approaches, it is a good idea to start thinking about participating in volunteer activities. Volunteering is important because it can connect you with like-minded peers and mentors to expand your network, build experiences on your resume, develop your skills, and earn credit towards the Campus Wide Co-Curriculum. However, volunteering not only benefits you, but it also greatly benefits your community.

Today we're going to discuss three ways that Brock students can find volunteer experiences!

1. Brock University Volunteer Association (BUVA)

The Brock University Volunteer Association's mission is to help community organizations while developing students' skills. BUVA is great to join because they will match you directly with on of their partner organizations based on your interests. As a member of the association, you will be expected to attend monthly meetings, perform 20 volunteer hours over the course of the year, and complete various workshops focused on developing skills and competencies. The association is open to all Brock students who are interested in making a difference in the Niagara community no matter your program of study! The application process for the 2022-2023 school year is yet to be announced, however for more information please email studentlife@brocku.ca

2. CareerZone Volunteer Board

Here at CareerZone, we have our very own volunteer board! Through the CareerZone portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) you can access many different volunteer opportunities under the "Volunteering" tab as shown below:

Various volunteer positions are advertised here, and you are even able to apply directly on the portal ensuring that your application process is uncomplicated. Make sure you check on the board frequently as new positions are always being added.

3. Brock Cares - Volunteer Fair

All Brock students are invited to join us as we bring together campus and community partners to share how you can support your community through volunteering and service. At this event, you will have the chance to talk with representatives from community partners to learn more about their work and how you can get involved. The event will take place on September 20, 2022, in Market Hall from 11-2 pm. We hope to see you there!

Overall, volunteering is very important. Before the new school year begins, take some time to reflect on how you are going to get involved and make a difference in your community!

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 your questions. 

Twitter: @BrockCareerZone

Instagram: @brockcareerzone 

Written by Brieanna Wannack, Lead Career Assistant

Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department

Monday, July 11, 2022

Further Education

Have you started considering what you will do after you graduate? Perhaps you have decided that you’re going to apply to some entry-level job positions. Or maybe, you have decided to continue your education and pursue post-graduate studies.

If the latter is true, you might be feeling overwhelmed with the post-graduate process and that’s ok! We are here to support your decisions and offer resources to help you pick a program.

But first, it is crucial to ask yourself: is grad school the right choice for me? Grad school is a great way for students to gain more knowledge and specialize in your field of interest. It is also important to consider the extra time and costs that come along with another degree. This question can be tough to answer, but if you establish some career goals for yourself, then it can help you decide whether another degree is necessary to pursue. In CareerZone, we offer career guidance, and our Talent Development Specialists can help assist you with creating your career action plan.

If further education is something you aspire to do, you will first need to explore program options. This process can be very time-consuming and require a lot of research. Luckily, we have resources to help you navigate post-graduate programs that can be accessed on your CareerZone portal.

After you’ve decided on what program(s) interest you, you can apply! You can find support for any application components on CareerZone as well. Our staff is trained to review your application documents and can give you beneficial feedback to increase your chances of getting accepted!

It is important to take your time with this decision, and we are here to support you no matter what decision you make!

Connect with us virtually and in-person this summer!

If you have any questions related to further education, we have virtual Q&A hours Monday to Friday from 11am-1pm. We also have CareerZone drop-in Q&A hours Monday to Thursday from 1-4pm! We also host café presentations every Tuesday and Thursday from 2-3pm. Stay tuned for this week’s presentations on “Polish your Interview Skills ” and “How to Best Showcase your Experiential Learning in your Resume and Cover Letter”.

Unable to join us for live drop-ins? No worries, students can access our online chat at https://brocku.ca/ccee/career-education/ for common inquiries.