Head Start on Post Grad
The transformation from student to young professional is a milestone that every graduate must face. By focusing on the importance of networking earlier rather than later, you could be setting yourself up for a more successful outcome. The 2014 employment report showed that between 2002 and 2012, employment growth among university graduates was 49 per cent in Ontario. Although this number is high, students who are now pursuing post-secondary education need to get a head start on their career.
Graduates from the various programs here at the University of Guelph-Humber were asked, “what is one thing university students can do to get a head start on landing their dream job years before graduation day?”
Sheena Singh, a graduate of GH’s Early Childhood program, brought up the importance of a student’s placement. “Use placement to your advantage and start volunteering. Placement and volunteering are great ways to get your foot in the door.” She also emphasized the usefulness of networking. “They (placements and volunteering) are both opportunities to network with a variety of professionals, enhance and develop life long skills, assists with differentiating between what you like from what you do not and a chance to learn about the variety of professions in your field you can enter into once you graduate.”
Shawn Fischer who is a graduate of our school’s Business program and currently working in the finance/accounting world in downtown Toronto said students should get involved in school activities. “I would most definitely get more involved in student activities and academic groups. I think most university students aren’t able to grasp the true importance of networking and getting yourself involved in groups allows you to build a “brand” so to speak. Because GH is still somewhat in it’s infancy, it’s still trying to build a reputation amongst top employers. Because of that, sometimes students are at a disadvantage. Try and obtain summer internships that relate to your specialization. This goes back to networking. If you can build your own reputation amongst either current or former employees at firms, you can tap that network when searching for jobs.”
Finally, Samuel Hume, who is a digital content producer at CHUM FM and a recent grad of GH’s Media Studies program shared that learning how to deal with people is a big part of becoming successful too. He says, “take criticism, don’t get too attached to an idea or work that you’ve done. Be open for suggestions because if you can’t take the advice you’ll never get better. That is not to say that all the suggestions will be the best corrections, but let them ruminate. If you can set aside the time to analyze and separate the good criticism from the bad you’ll be miles ahead of your peers.
When getting involved in various school activities, summer internships and work placements you begin to build a network of connections. Use those relationships to help guide and assist you when the time comes to begin the all dreaded job-hunt for recent grads and you will already be ahead of the competition you face.
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