Looking for work can be tough, especially if you rely solely on "traditional" job search techniques like scanning postings in newspapers and employment centres. The problem is compounded if your career goals are uncertain. How do you even know where to apply?
A good job search starts long before graduation day and requires much more than a well-written resume. Looking for some incentive? Look no further than these three University of Manitoba graduates.
As she entered third year Arts, Sheryl had begun to believe that she would never find work that used her history background. Frequent trips to the Career Resource Centre helped her to discover museum and curatorial work. By graduation Sheryl had joined the Manitoba Historical Society, started work on Association of Manitoba Museum's (AMM) Basic Level Certificate Program and had landed a job at Dalnavert Museum.
Since graduation, Sheryl has worked continuously at Ross House Museum, the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Dalnavert Museum. Her volunteer work history is impressive and she strives to keep it "specialized and career-related". Her network, and subsequent job offers, have developed as a result of attending specialized training courses, the AMM's Annual Conference, and Manitoba Historical Society functions. She serves as Membership Records Coordinator and Secretary of the AMM Council and on the Museum Management Board of Dalnavert Museum. Sheryl's hard work has paid off - she has recently begun a permanent position as curatorial assistant at the Transcona Museum.
Gina, a visa student, had no contacts when she began her Ph.D. studies in Computer Science in 1991. While co-op education experience at the bachelor's and master's level had helped her develop marketable skills, her employment contacts were all in her home country.
Gina recognized the importance of using resources available on campus. "My first contact with the Career Planning and Placement Service introduced me to all of the services within the Student Counselling and Career Centre including the resources in the Career Resource Centre, an assertiveness training group, the Placement Research Library and the employment bulletin". Individual resume and job search consultations and a mock interview helped her prepare for the various components of her job search.
After receiving her landed immigrant status, Gina achieved her goal and accepted a position as a major Canadian computer company in Toronto.
Internships are work arrangements that are unfamiliar to most Canadian students but that can provide much needed practical experience. Debra, a graduate of native studies and art history, used a year-long paid internship at the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature as a springboard to full-time employment.
Although Debra had previously completed an Administrative Assistant course and had worked for the federal government, it was the internship that finally allowed her to work in an area of interest. Her organization of a fund-raising event at the museum was so successful that she was encouraged to apply for, and was subsequently awarded, the position of Special Events Assistant.
Successful job search is possible with perseverance, hard work and creativity. Start now and put words like satisfaction, networking, volunteering, internships and success into your job search vocabulary.
Change is here to stay. The workplace will never return to what it once was. For example, middle management will not make a comeback. The new workplace is an ever evolving environment. We will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to match what the workplace will demand. This will be challenging because it is very difficult to predict what the new workplace will look like. One fact: Economists and futurists predict that 75% of the companies that will exist in the year 2000 do not exist at this time.
The permanent job, for the most part, is a thing of the past. We have a volatile job market that is changing from being job-based to becoming work-based. Company cocoons will not exist for most people any longer and there will not be enough jobs to go around. There will be enough work to go around, however. People will need to become their own company.
The successful worker of the future must develop a proactive career plan. We need to be career strategists. The hit or miss approach will not work. People should look at short-term goals and should focus on networking as much as possible. You will need to accept responsibility for your own career direction.
Knowledge is the most important asset of the future. This includes having clear and correct knowledge about the new economy. There is a global paradox being created as globalization expands; the bigger the economy, the more powerful the small player. Each of us can play a critical role in the new economy.
Life-long learning and constant retraining is essential. Successful workers will have a "portfolio" of skills which can be marketed in different places. Try to develop several sources of income potential at the same time. Work to promote yourself and always look for opportunities to network.
Good self-care is a must! Being prepared to market yourself and to deal with the uncertainties of the changing workplace requires good stress management. Work to establish supportive relationships and a balanced lifestyle to help yourself cope with the stresses inherent in the new workplace. In addition, identify personal barriers that may interfere with your ability to secure work.
Fit for the Pit! To be fit for the pit (or trading floor) you need to be aggressive, independent, outgoing, street smart and have a love for the market and a stressful work environment. "There are not a lot of shrinking violets down on the trading floor" states David Ruff.
A money and banking course at university piqued David's interest in commodity trading. Part of the course was managing a sample portfolio. David and his partner turned $100,000 into $2.9 million in eight months! Curious about commodity trading, David began researching the occupation in libraries and the Career Resource Centre. He also met with a Career Mentor who clarified how the business works and introduced him to others in the field. He opened a small trading account through a broker in Winnipeg and began talking to people at the commodity exchange. This led to a part-time job as a market recorder/observer. David wanted to begin trading on his own full-time so he worked in construction to raise the money. Once he was trading, a network contract found out what he was doing and offered him a trading position with Scotia McLeod.
A typical day for David begins at 7:15 a.m. making sure trades executed the previous day have been cleared properly, summarizing customer accounts and generally preparing for the day. From 8:30 to 1:30, he is on the trading floor taking and placing orders, communicating with clients and filling orders in the pit. The remainder of the day is spent keeping up with various commodity markets (keeping price charts and reading research), developing ideas, making recommendations to clients and trying to open new accounts. The work can be stressful but David thrives in this new environment. "Work is only stressful if you don't enjoy it. I love being a trader/broker. Something exciting happens almost every day and the markets are constantly changing. The commodities field is one I would recommend to everyone."
Although David's background is in economics, it is not a requirement. People working in commodity trading have diverse educational backgrounds - agriculture, management, economics, or sales experience is beneficial.
The current labour market is not great. However, there are opportunities for young entrepreneurial and sales-oriented individuals.
David understands the importance of sharing information with others. As a University of Manitoba student, David wanted to meet with someone working in his career area. He joined the Career Mentor Program and met with a stockbroker. His positive experience has encouraged him to volunteer his time as a career mentor to share his knowledge with students.
Commodity trading is not a well-publicized career. Stockbrokers and cash traders (grain, currency, and bonds) seem to be more well-known. For further information on these and other occupations, visit the Career Resource Centre, 474 University Centre.
Michael, an after-degree education student began volunteering with Option Start in the Fort Garry School Division. While working as a mentor to troubled junior high students, Michael gained valuable experience in dealing with students. Upon graduation, Michael was hired by another school division to teach grade seven.
Angela contacted the Student Counselling and Career Centre in her third year of Arts to explore occupational options. She joined the Career Mentor program and was matched up with a mentor in her career area. The mentor shared how he got started in his career and made program suggestions. After hearing his success story, Angela was more able to make a concrete career decision. Her mentor later referred her to an employer and she is now working as an executive assistant for a brokerage firm. Angela kept in touch with her mentor and now has someone to talk to about her job.
So how can you establish a network? The first step is often the hardest. There are several resources available to you on campus. The Career Mentor Program introduces you to alumni working in your chosen career area. You simply register at the Student Counselling and Career Centre, 474 University Centre and indicate the occupation you would like to explore.
Your mentor may identify courses you could include in your program, organizations worth joining and job search strategies.
Volunteering is another excellent way of networking. Volunteering helps you develop valuable skills, gain experience in your chosen career and meet potential employers. Colleagues who have observed your work skills firsthand will often tell you about position openings and may provide you with a reference. When a job opening becomes available... apply! Your volunteer experience may increase your chances of getting the job.
To help students find volunteer positions, the Career Planning and Placement Service (473 University Centre) maintains a volunteer job board. Check them out today!
Joining a professional organization is another way to establish your network. A Human Ecology student with a major in Foods and Nutrition joined the Manitoba Home Economists Association. By attending meetings, she became more informed about nutrition and preventative education and found out about a health education job with the Manitoba Heart and Lung Association.
Membership in organizations such as Toastmasters, community, service and networking clubs can help you make valuable connections. For more information on associations and organizations, check the Yellow Pages, visit the Career Resource Centre, Dafoe Library or the Winnipeg Centennial Library (ask for a directory of associations).
Once you have started your network, it is very important to keep in touch with the people who seemed helpful and interested. Follow up on any job leads they may have mentioned. Thank them for the suggestions. In the long run, networking pays off in jobs, friendships and life long connections.
KNOW EXACTLY what it is you want from
others. Prepare questions in advance of a meeting or telephone
conversation.TALK TO STRANGERS and mingle with people
you don't already know at meetings and events. Introduce yourself!SHARE INFORMATION, ideas, resources, and
contacts with others. Networking is a two-way process.CONTINUE NETWORKING even after you've found a
job. Everyone needs a personal and professional support system. Keep
yours in place throughout your career.INCORPORATE NETWORKING into your everyday
life. It is not a powerful tool for marketing yourself, but also a
powerful tool for enriching your life and the lives of those in your
network.