Becoming a Peer Advisor

I am often asked “What is a Career Centre Peer Advisor?”  The simplest answer is we have several different projects we do to promote the different services offered by the Career Centre. After various training projects, we will be putting our knowledge to use in the winter term by conducting in-person resume critique appointments with non-graduating students after they have attended the resume writing workshop. Peer Advisors also have the opportunity to work on various independent, and team projects. The largest project that I am working on is the 2010 Peer Advisor Recruitment Video. We have a team of 4 people planning, filming and editing a video designed to promote the program and recruit volunteers for next year’s team. The video will be up on the Career Centre website and on a loop on SBE TV, starting the middle of February.      The video will showcase the Career Centre and demonstrate to students what a great opportunity the Peer Advisor position can be for crafting new skills and polishing your own resume and career planning initiatives.  If you are looking to get involved  next year, be sure to visit the Career Centre volunteering website end of January for information on the video myself and my team have been working hard on!

Natalee Snell, Peer Advisor

Surviving the Office Party this Season

As the holiday season is among us, I was invited to my first office Christmas party. Now, as I have never been to one before and this party being held by current employers, which I intend to remain with for some time, I decided that some research was necessary regarding office party etiquette.

 First, I decided to seek out my fellow friends and classmates for insight of their first office parties and it became evident that most university students have yet to attend their first professional, office party, or are attending their firsts this year.

I then deemed it necessary to seek external help using everyone’s favourite resource – the internet. I have listed below several sights that I have insightful as to how to behave, dress, and present one’s self this holiday season amongst employees and employers. I even found answers to questions I had not thought of asking, such as ‘Is it appropriate to bring a gift?’

This holiday season; take the time to advance your career one step further. Look into these websites before your office work party; it’s something you won’t regret.

http://www.sideroad.com/Business_Etiquette/office-party.html

http://workplaceculture.suite101.com/article.cfm/office_party_etiquette

http://www.a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com/office-party-etiquette.html

http://www.everythingchristmas.com/story/partyetiquette.html

Tara Mitchell, Senior Peer Advisor