Get Started Now For A Successful Application for Teacher’s College

Author: Trevor Belkwell, Peer Advisor

The second week in October was Teacher Education Week in the Career Centre at Wilfrid Laurier University.  Presentations were made by Admission Administrators representing all the Ontario programs as well as some bordering American and International Colleges.  If by chance you missed these presentations, but are still interested in applying to Teacher’s College, I recommend starting your research early so your application is submitted on time for the Wednesday, December 1, 2010, 11:59 p.m. deadline.

First of all, make sure teaching is the right profession for you by checking out the document entitled, ‘Becoming a Teacher in Ontario’.  This document references the Teacher Education Application Service (TEAS) found at www.ouac.on.ca/teas which is the actual website used to apply to all Ontario programs.  This is a great place to get started and provides plenty of information on the application process.  TEAS recommends to research university options by reading their Instruction Booklet and following up by looking at university websites and publications.  The next step is to create a TEAS 2011 Application Account.  It is recommended that this be done well in advance, so it is one less thing to worry about when the pressure is on to get the application submitted.  Lastly, the applicant must fill out the required experience profiles and/or supplementary forms, which are required by many of the programs.

The Career Development Centre at Laurier is offering an Applying to Teacher’s College workshop on November 3^rd, 2010 at 1 p.m. This workshop provides helpful information on filling out the experience profiles, an integral part of the application.  Experience profiles are used to highlight transferable skills of working with youth in educational settings.  When filling out experience profiles, remember that all universities are different so make sure you understand what each program is asking and tailor your answers to each specific application. You can also book an individual appointment to discuss your application.

 Hopefully, with a little hard work and being well prepared will result in an Offer of Admission in early April.

Co-op | Do or Die

Author: Adil Mawani 

As a student in SBE, it sometimes feels as though all the pressure in the world is built up on the fact that getting into co-op is necessary to ‘make it’ in the real world. At times I get the impression that success following university is predicated exclusively on whether or not I’ve gone through the co-op experience.   

I am currently in my second year of university here at Laurier and several weeks back I was preparing for my co-op interview when I realized that co-op, at its simplest form, connects work experience with the classroom and provides access to summer jobs that are found using connections within the school – postings that are at your arms length. As I started to analyze it a bit further, my nervousness and pressure became removed because the Career Centre (which is available to all students) also offers fantastic resources to aid your summer job search initiative. Just because you didn’t get into co-op, doesn’t mean you have to work at the mall this summer…unless that’s what you want to do! 

No one can argue with the fact that co-op is a fantastic resource for securing career-related jobs. However, if you don’t get into co-op, it’s not the end of the world. You’ve still got a great resource through the Career Development Centre. The Career Centre has several summer job postings as well as job searching appointments and workshops that will help enlighten you as to how to tap into 75% of the labour market, known as the ‘hidden job market’ (essentially unadvertised jobs).  Knowing how to navigate through the hidden job market will add far more value to your summer job search than simply checking a job postings website.

Why Is Personality Important For Career Selection?

Author: Mehak Bhatia, Peer Advisor

Most university students feel indecisive and confused about which career to select. We begin with asking, “what can I do with my degree?” However, a more important question to contemplate is, “Who am I and how does that translate into a meaningful career path?”  As a science student who enjoys mulling over topics like personality, I have often felt extremely confused about what exactly my personality entails. More importantly, how can this help me figure out my career direction? 

Following attendance at a Career Development 101 workshop, I attended a one-on-one personality debrief appointment at the Career Centre, which allowed me to begin clearing out some of this confusion and unveil my personality characteristics. I realized that I am more of a ‘trained’ leader, rather than naturally adept at leading.  The debrief appointment also made me aware that I am more inclined toward personal down time where I can analyze the needs of each student before I have to step out and present solutions or ideas.  Not to say I don’t enjoy group work, but I am a better group member if provided with down time first. 

Does this imply that being an extravert is better than an introvert?  Certainly not. Personality debriefs are not about analyzing what is good or bad.  It is about understanding what is more natural for you, and where your blind spots may lie.  This insight is meant to help us move forward by being able to apply that self insight in an analytical way. So what careers will provide me with opportunities to analyze human personality without necessarily being on the frontlines of client work each and every hour of a work day? Knowing our personality can help us to refine which questions to be asking of the careers we are considering.

Career Development 101 challenges us to consider our personalities BEFORE we begin researching careers.  We want a career that will be a positive compliment to our personality, and not a clash. So, are you ready to stop asking, “what can I do with my degree?”, and instead dive into some personality self awareness? If so, WLU Career Centre is the way to go!

Sacrifice: Not Just for Sheep

Author: Mike Gregor, Peer Advisor

Sacrifice.  Not the arcane, tribal, offering-of-sheep-to-Zeus kind of sacrifice (it’s kind of frowned upon these days).  I am talking about the sacrifice of balancing your life.  When I first heard of the concept of ‘work-life balance’, it sounded simple enough.  Keep both sides of the scale equal – success, and happiness will follow.  Well that concept seemed to leave out a few key elements of my scale.  Where would my classes, homework, studying, exams, co-op and clubs fit in?  Not to mention subtleties such as friends, relaxation and sleep (these must be considered optional). 

Yes the elusive ‘work-life balance’ is an ever-striving goal, but it must be possible…  Right?  I think so.  The key is making the right sacrifices.  Right now, like many of my peers, I am in overdrive.  This week I have four midterms, two co-op information sessions, one volunteer shift, one club meeting and the usual dozen or so hours of class.  Many friends have five midterms, a part-time job and other commitments.  Everyone is in the same situation. 

Once again – the key is making the right sacrifices at the right times.  In extremely trying times (see above paragraph) – it is physically, mentally and emotionally impossible to accomplish everything you want to do.  Some tasks must take priority over others.  This week it will most likely be slepe…I mean sleep (sorry it has already begun).  But – in my mind that’s okay.  Temporary insomnia is a sacrifice I am willing to make to accomplish my goals this week.  Key word: temporary. 

Like I said, it is always a balance.  To be constantly sacrificing the relaxing, social and fun parts of university is to sacrifice – quite bluntly – university.  In my mind, the social experience of university is its most important aspect.  The extra-curricular and social experiences help build strong students into stronger people.  Yes, make sacrifices to check-off your to-do-list, but be sure to include ‘fun’ on that list.  Remember, contrary to Hollywood motion picture lore – robots make really boring employees.  So do sheep. 

How do you know which sacrifices to make for your future career?  Well you have to make a plan.  For all the help you require to plan your future career, take part in the Career Development 101 (CD101) and Career Development 102 (CD102) workshops at the Laurier Career Development Centre this month!

Recruitment Events: Why Should I Go?

Author: Elizabeth Evans, Peer Advisor 

Recruitment events…networking…a necessary and often dreaded part of the career/job search. Many graduating students don’t even know such events exist and younger students often do not realize the benefits they may gain by attending such an event. I recently attended my first recruitment event and learned just how beneficial they can be. 

As a Peer Advisor with the Career Centre, I had acquired some information about networking; enough to know that it makes me extremely nervous. To walk up to a stranger who I want to give me a job and ask them questions while 15 other eager job hunters are around me, makes me want to crawl under my chair.  So I prepared, and then prepared some more. I spoke to two different career consultants and I researched the company until my eyes hurt. I was directed to a resource on the Career Centre website called Informational Interviewing. This resource was immensely helpful as it contained a list of sample questions to ask in your networking interactions. 

Then the day of the recruitment event came. I went over everything I had learned, put my best interview clothes on, took a breath and walked in. At first they had the candidates wait together in a lobby where, through conversation, I learned that the majority of my fellow event attendees were masters level students, which intimidated me all the more.  The event began with a formal presentation giving company information – nothing too scary.

However, after the presentation came the networking component.  While the presentation was going on, I wrote down all of the speakers names and job titles so that I could pick out who I wanted to speak with. Once the presentation concluded, I bee-lined for the representative I had singled out. Just as I had feared, I was not the first person to get there, and had to patiently wait my turn to speak. So I listened to the conversation for a good time to interject. Once the recruiter turned to me, all my nerves went away and I calmly made a smooth transition into the conversation, introduced myself and expressed my field of interest. To my surprise, the recruiter was ecstatic about the career in which I was interested (underwriting). Apparently, I picked a career that not a lot of new graduates are showing any interest. As a result, I gained the spotlight for probably the longest time out of all the candidates! I learned all about their training program, the different positions available, and gained information about when they would be hiring. 

At the end of it all, my nerves just seemed silly because the reaction I received from the recruiter was so positive. If I had taken the easy way out and just left after the presentation, I would not have secured a valuable inside contact, and I wouldn’t have learned anything more about the career I am considering for the rest of my life. 

One thing you want to make sure you have when attending these events is a networking card. It makes the exchange of contact information much faster and smoother, and the recruiter will be impressed with your preparedness. The Career Centre has some helpful information about how to make a networking card. In addition, I found this website had great examples for students: http://www.quintcareers.com/networking_business_cards.html

 Happy networking!

Further Education – A Requirement?

Author: Megan Wibberley, Peer Advisor

Now in my last year of undergraduate studies, I have started to realize that the reality of ‘grown-up’ life is fast approaching.  I am asked more and more often what my plans are for the future, what kind of job I am looking for and what my long-term goals are.  At first I was having a significant amount of anxiety about not having all of the answers to these questions, I kept thinking – I should know by now, what am I going to do?  I had a lot of jealously for people like my boyfriend who know exactly what they want to do, lawyer, and exactly how they need to get there, law school. 

I began to look into graduate school, but also headed to the more unknown, and began researching companies that support environmental initiatives; a broad theme for a career I am entertaining. My first concern was would I even need a Masters? Unlike straightforward careers like law, medical school, psychology, etc., there are not typically definitive post-education requirements. For instance, within environmental land use planning, I may, or may not need a Masters. It all depends on the company’s policies and for that matter, a well-networked person may get an entry level job and do their Masters while working. 

Whether you head into further education or not, it is exceptionally important to examine the ‘why’? Are you heading into further education because, you know based on research, it will truly be required? Or are you diving into further education for fear of the unknown?   There are many specialized programs in both college and university where you can further your requirements for specific jobs as well as ‘beef-up’ your resumé.  Doing research into whether a certain degree or credential is a requirement, or whether you can tackle the almighty networking and job search mission, are critical decisions one needs to make. 

As for what the future actually holds for me, I’m working on making the decision as to whether to brave the unknown and go full force into the job market, or entertain further education.  If I choose further education, I want it to be for a sound, strategic reason – and not be based on a fear of tackling the job market.

Time Management Skills for Career Success

Author: Karleigh Buist, Peer Advisor

As a university student who is involved in multiple activities such as co-op, a part-time job, volunteering and school, I (like many other students) am learning the importance of good time management skills to be successful.  Most people indicate on a resumé or in an interview that they are effective time managers.  However, a majority of students decline the opportunity to get involved in extra-curricular activities because they ‘don’t have time’. I personally found it especially hard my first year to get involved in volunteering and not to focus all of my time on my schooling.

Not making time may prevent you from reaching your full potential.

Obviously it is important to keep on top of your academics. I have learned through the workshops and resources at the Career Development Centre that it is equally as important as your grades, to also build up your skills and networks through the participation in volunteer activities.  I have learned that most employers are looking for well-rounded candidates that have been actively involved in a variety of different ways. Often employers will look at your extra-curricular activities and volunteer positions when making a decisionbefore even inquiring about specific grades on your transcript – if they ever look at your grades at all. (That is with the exception for maybe finance and accounting).

I discovered that the only way to accomplish this is to work ahead on projects and to use time management skills.  Volunteering can be very rewarding. Not only is it a stress reliever, it is also a great way to network with people who have similar interests as you.  It is important to keep volunteering and career planning in mind throughout your time at Laurier, and not let the immediate necessity of studying and writing essays prevent you from getting involved.

Consider the following equation for success:

Academics + Skills + Experiences + Your Network (Who you Know) = Success

If all you did was study for four years, how successful are you going to be?

Career Planning – In First Year?

Author: Alexandria Malcolm, Peer Advisor

When most people reflect back on their first year of university, they instantly think of the new people they met, the parties, as well as the drastic change in experience from high school. Personally, I want to look back on my first year experience and not only remember the social aspect, but I’d also like to view my first year of university as the starting point for planning my future.

In first year, no one is too concerned with what is coming up four years from now. We tend to just live in the present. However, your fourth year will arrive before you know it and you don’t want to reflect on the fact that after 4 years of undergraduate studies, you still have no clue what type of career you want to pursue. Just because you go to university and take studies in a certain area, doesn’t mean your career plan is going to be handed to you on a platter. Now is the time to start thinking about your career.

By beginning the career planning process now, you buy yourself quality time to experience career planning trial and error. Maybe you’ll not only change your mind career wise, but also academically as well. If you currently want to be a doctor and you are enrolled in biology, but suddenly realize you have an interest in marketing, and need to change to business, now’s the time to do it!

My suggestion is don’t leave such big decisions until the last minute or you’ll be completely overwhelmed with all the options. By leaving your planning to fourth year, the more likely you’ll end up haphazardly planning your career, which may land you in a job that is not well suited to your interests or personality. Begin by attending the Career Development 101 session at the Career Centre to help you begin figuring out what you may want to do with your life. You’ll thank yourself for it in the future, that’s for sure.

 

Success | The Roller Coaster of Life:

Author: Adil Mawani, Peer Advisor

Throughout my life I have always had my eye out for opportunities.  Opportunity is something that seems to serendipitously just happen, but it is also something we create. I have found that the best opportunities are often in disguise.

In my previous year of University I had applied for a position in my residence House Council. I did not end up getting the position to which I applied, but because of my drive they did offer me another position. Being the opportunist that I am, I said, “When do I start?” (Maybe it wasn’t in those exact words, but I was more or less happy).  Interestingly enough, the opportunity that transpired was not even the one to which I applied, or was offered, but instead, after a few months I was promoted to a higher level role where I was incredibly happy.

After months of diligent work at this role, I also decided to apply to become a Residence Life Don, secured an interview, but notregrettably, I was rejected. The ‘not-regrettably’ part stems from the fact that getting rejected from the Don position allowed me to come across two additional opportunities, one as a Peer Advisor with the Student Career Leader Program (at the Career Development Centre) as well as a role with the School of Business and Economics Students’ Society (which I may add are the best two organizations in which I have volunteered, and plan to continue my university career with them).

This life experience during my first year of University has taught me that persistence is key. Never give up, as one door may close, another two may open just as quickly.  Throughout my roller coaster, I have noticed that the key in life is to keep trying and give 150% effort in everything you do, eventually you will get noticed and applauded for your dedication and the perks will be worth the grief of facing rejection.

Remember Life is a roller coaster; there will be ups and downs, but don’t let the downs prevent you from continuing your journey of finding, creating and capitalizing on opportunities.