If there was one thing the staff of Career and Placement Services wish more students knew, it’s that it’s okay to be unsure. Located on the University of Guelph-Humber’s first floor, C&PS are there to help students prepare for what’s next, even if they aren’t sure what that is yet.
“Our mandate is to help UofGH students work towards planning for and reaching placement, career and further education goals,” says Susan Thomas, Manager of Career and Placement Services. “We often have students come for appointments who have a rough plan in place, but they’re uncertain about it. We can help those who are in third and fourth year, but it’s okay for a first-year student to come in and say ‘I don’t know what I want to do next.’ If we start earlier with smaller pieces, we can be of more help over the long run.”
One-on-one appointments are just a small piece of the work done by C&PS. On a given day they might be visiting a student at their placement, hosting a workshop in a classroom, or holding a career event out in the atrium, like October’s graduate school fair that brought to campus representatives from more than 25 programs. It’s a lot for the team of coordinators to handle, so they have help from Career Support Peers, students who provide information and services when someone drops in.
“Career Support Peers are our first line of advice when students come to C&PS. They’re trained to review resumes and cover letters, and can help students consider graduate school options, whether that means researching different programs or reviewing admissions requirements so students can ask the right questions when they see a coordinator,” says Ms. Thomas. “We use that levelled approach because students are usually more comfortable speaking with one of their peers who may have been through the same things.”
Working with Support Peers are the Career and Placement Coordinators, full-time staff members who work with one of UofGH’s academic programs.
“The design of our department is meant to develop relationships with students over time. So for me and the students in Early Childhood Studies, I know them right from the beginning of their first job-shadowing to the end of their program when we cry together at graduation,” says Jenni Mastroianni, Career and Placement Coordinator for ECS. “Working with them over that time allows me to support them better as they decide what direction to take with their education or career. I’ve seen what their placement experiences have been like and how they’ve developed over time, so that really helps with personal statements and other applications.”
For a student who’s starting to think about what comes next, whether it’s their next placement, another academic program, or heading into the workforce, C&PS can offer support.
“There are no bad questions, so please don’t hesitate to come down and see us,” says Ms. Mastroianni. “Take advantage of the resources you have at hand and call us, email us or visit us — we’re here to help.”