Rob Shea
Manager, Centre for Career Development, Department of Student Development

    You have brains in your head
    You have feet in your shoes
    You can steer yourself any
    direction you choose.
                  (Oh the Places you'll go! Dr Seuss)

Each year with the arrival of spring the university community bears witness to a major event in the career development of our students – convocation. This transition from university to the world of work occurs with many mixed emotions as students move from the comfort of a system they know  towards the unknown. At convocation many students do not know whether they will have a job before their student loan is due; where they will find work; or in what part of the world they will find work.

With these immediate challenges comes a realization that preparation for the world of work is a time-consuming, information-based process.

A successful employment search begins with a thorough self-assessment of skills
and abilities. The days of writing down team work skills and not being able to justify from where you developed these skills have passed. Through the use of behavioural description interviewing techniques employers are now looking at how past experience predicts future work abilities. Personal skills and abilities are critical to writing a strong cover letter and preparing for the interview.

The next step is the development and application of personal marketing skills (cover letter and résumé) to showcase knowledge and abilities. This stage is paramount to getting a foot in the door. Once this has been accomplished, students need to understand the interview process. With varying employer interview styles between professions and disciplines, it is critical for students to keep up to date on questions they can be asked.

In a rapidly changing world the career development process has embraced technology. Through the use of employment search tools such as the National Graduate Register/Worklink and our own Web site www.mun.ca/ccd, the world of careers is at a student's finger tips. The use of technology does not replace personal mentoring and guidance. The career development process, while embracing technology, still by its very nature requires face-to-face service provision.
Members of the university community can help our students prepare for career transition by:

    • Developing experiential learning opportunities within your own department for students.

    • Giving students feedback regarding their résumés and interview style.

    • Referring students to the Centre for Career Development when questions arise                       regarding student employment.

    • Referring potential job leads or employer contact names to the CCD manager
for follow-up.

    • Becoming a career mentor.

Through creative partnerships within the university community Memorial has been able to establish national award-winning programs such as the Memorial University Career Enhancement Program (MUCEP). Let us continue this tradition to enhance student learning so that students will be better able to make successful transitions to the world of work.

For further information on services and career development programs please check www.mun.ca/ccd or contact us at 737-2033.