Why is my University Career Centre so Useless ? Now what ?
I can tell you as someone with Post Graduate Diploma in HR, that most Career Counselors at most universities don't have the background or the education they should have. The result is that they have no idea what they are talking about. " WISH IT, WANT IT, DO IT." Quote By: Brain Griffin.
This is Typical Experienced that most University Students have at their Career Center just Before or After they Graduate.
They look over your resume tell you what type of font to use.
Than give you Briggs Myers personality test. Which indicates you are good with people and should think about a career in the medical profession, whatever that means?
Mind you this information might have been good to know before your last year. As well this test was first published in 1921 in German. A little outdated (WTF) ?
Than they point you towards a few genetic websites and some local job fairs.
These career centres are usually totally oblivious regarding contemporary issues like Disruptive Innovation and the new economy for example the Gig Economy.
Career centers at Universities feel it is there job is to show you a career path not to actually get you a job with your undergrad. Unless it’s a stem cell degree in which most cases employers are lining up to employee you anyway.
If you do go to your Career Service dept at your University/College.
Ask Two Vital Questions !
1. Do you have a Degree or Post Grad Degree or Diploma in HR?
2. What are your metrics? Meaning out of 10 students that come here how many find meaningful work? Then ask to see their metrics.
How do most of these Career Counselors get hired? A lot times because the collective agreements, the lunch lady gets bumped up because of seniority. The career center is just there for show, not part the core budget of the university.
So what can I do about it?
Perhaps write something to your university/college indicating your disappointment with the plight of the career centre . Ask to be taken off their mailing list from the Alumni dept asking you for money in the future. Though be diplomatic about it. Maybe get a list of follow students to sign it to.
Nothing scares universities more than losing future donors and their reputation.
It used to be get a degree get a good job/career. This is no longer the case. I can also assure you that Tenured Profs & Administrators these universities/colleges don't care about you having to pay off your student loan debts etc...
If your university/college does not make Career Services as part of their core budget and main mission statement find a school that does !
The person that needs to care is you. Because you have just invested a tone of money and time. It is important that it pays off and you find meaningful work in your field.
Tips of Getting Around Useless University Career Centres & Moving Forward.
1. Use Disruptive Innovation as Networking Tools.
Example this site,Tenthousand Coffees is the world biggest network for Informational Interviews. https://www.tenthousandcoffees.com/get-started/sign-up
2. Set up Informational Interviews.
Tenthousands Coffees is great way setting up these interviews.
What is an Informational Interview?
https://www.jobsetc.gc.ca/pieces.jsp?category_id=420
3. Resources on Where the Jobs are for Undergrads and how to Actually get an Interview.
Topics.
- Teaching English aboard, Government Grants that Match Employers & Setting up a Non Government Office (NGO) & A lot More !
- 8 Simple Steps to Getting an Interview !
Good Luck with your Job Hunt !
Demian Hammock,
Diploma of Advanced Studies Human Resources Management.
5 Reasons Colleges Should Invest More in Career Services.
(In the US schools that don't bestow a PhD are called Colleges not Universities).
Best Career Services | The Princeton Review USA
Find out which colleges have the best career services offices based on ratings from real students.
5 Reasons Colleges Should Invest More in Career Services | InsideTrack. " Also make sure the right people with right credentials work there." Demian Hammock, Advanced Studies Human Resources Management.
Colleges and universities are increasingly being evaluated on the career outcomes of their graduates. However, most institutions invest relatively little in career services. The average annual operating budget for a career services department is only $89,819 and, on average colleges have one career services professional for every 1,889 students, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
The expectation gap: Students' and universities' roles in preparing for life after grad. Some universities are rising to the challenge and creating new ways for undergraduate students to think about how their education applies to life after school.
Too many students − told that hard work and a university education are the ticket to the good life − are facing a different reality when they graduate. What are universities doing to help students find realistic career paths? And what should students look for from their education?
Velocity- University of Waterloo.
Velocity is a leading entrepreneurship program at the University of Waterloo and the largest free startup incubator in the world. From idea to product development to commercialization, Velocity provides the knowledge, tools, space and network that startups and entrepreneurs need for success. The Velocity program includes a student dorm, workspaces in Waterloo region, events, mentor programs and more.
Suggested Reading By: Demian Hammock,Diploma of Advanced Studies Human Resources Management .Impact | Student Hubs
Universities do not have the resources to tackle this problem alone. Recent research highlights the need for a national infrastructure to ensure the sustainability of student social action. Infrastructure support has fluctuated from decade to decade . Various organisations have provided some level of sustained support, but funding has been unreliable.
A brief analysis of the Best Career Services at Post Secondary Institutions in Canada and the United States.
Credits you can get on line. Why Career Services are the most important element in this day and age for Post Secondary Institutions. Post Secondary Institutions will now be highbred of hands on learning through incubators. Doing, a thesis is now a thing of the past.
This new model will include elements such as co-op programmes, co-working spaces and service learning, networking with disruptive technologies, example Tenthousands Coffees .
Building your own career through crowdsourcing or grants likes matching funds with Federal or Provincial governments, will now become the norm.
Career services (as it now exists) must die, new report argues. Recommended Reading. By: Demian Hammock, Diploma of Advanced Studies Human Resources Management.
Well, not die, exactly. Transform. "The term 'career services' has been a phrase that has been used for several decades to describe what colleges have been doing," says Andy Chan, vice president for personal and career development at Wake Forest University. "It's not working."
The Student Dilemma: Preparing for the "Real" Job Market. Recommended By: Demian Hammock, Diploma of Advanced Studies Human Resources Management
There are many sobering statistics out there regarding the job market, the unemployed and the underemployed. A topic close to my heart is the plight of students; having two of my own in University. Tier 1 post-secondary institutions are getting with the program. The CO-OP program.
Career Centers, Internships & Service Learning at Post Secondary Institutions.
If you want your Post Secondary Institution to succeed in
this day and age, better have a first rate Career Center
with the right people with the right skills to run it.
People simply will not take out massive loans to be a Batista.
Looking out for Number One & that's means You !
The most important thing that students overlook when choosing an University is
A - The Location !
B - Career Services & Co-op Programmes that are offered !
If you chose your University based on these two elements your chances of getting
employment in your field exponentially improves.
A lot of educators will tell you it's not about finding work, but you are the one that will be stuck with a debt that is potentially the size of small mortgage not them.
Kids it works both ways.You actually matter and so does future don't let anyone
tell you otherwise !
"Can’t do anything without starting. Starting is the key ! Sometimes meaning having to do mundane work to start with. Yes one can write a thesis on emptying the dishwasher or one can actually empty the dishwasher. Theory is good but practice is always better. "
Quote From - Demian Hammock.
Things to think about before choosing a Post Secondary Institution.
Which campus location suits your style? For example if you want work in field after University.
Ms. Giampietro says students who are attending any university should consider what is important to them: Is this location selection about having an adventure outside of one’s comfort zone? Is it a way to explore a new region? Or are you better to stay and build the network where you want to live long-term?
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The Best in Career Services in the US & Canada.
The Best in Canada - Career Services, University of Waterloo.
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Canadian cooperative education entices Silicon Valley. University of Waterloo.
A British sandwich course, which gives students a stint in industry during their studies, is a bit like a plain old cheese and pickle sarnie - a year of work in the middle of three or four years of academic study.
Honorable Mentions Career Centers
University of Regina. The role of the university career centre evolves with the times | University Affairs
At the University of Regina, the focus on helping students find jobs is pervasive. All students, regardless of field of study, have to complete at least one semester of experiential learning, such as a co-op or internship. “We see our role differently from a lot of other schools” says Mr. Bolen, “parents like knowing there’s a practical part of every degree that can lead to a good paying job.”
University of Northern British Columbia - Career Center. Also Rank No. 1 in the Primarily Undergraduate Universities in Canada by Maclean’s magazine.
UNBC offers a co-operative education model that provides flexibility and strong academic linkages. Co-operative education combines learning in the classroom with learning on the job. Students put their academic knowledge into action through relevant work experience of 4 or 8 month terms. Typical Co-op work terms are four months in length and the students must end their cop-op program on an academic term prior to graduating.
Interesting New Concept !
Magnet | Advancing Careers, Businesses and Communities. Suggested Reading By: Demian Hammock.
Magnet is a not-for-profit social innovation founded by Ryerson University, in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. It is a collaborative hub of post-secondary institutions, not-for-profits, government, labour, and industry partners working together to one common platform, towards one common goal: to address unemployment and under-employment of Canadians.
Best Career Services in US. Princeton Review, Clemson University.
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In the US have to offer Post Secondary Studies to be a University, usually this
means offering a PhD.
30 US Colleges with the Most Impressive Job Placement Rates and Career Services - Online Schools Center. In the US to be an University one has to bestow a PhD. In Canada this is not the case.
Image Source by Rowan Jones Deciding upon a field of interest, choosing a major, and implementing a career strategy can seem like a daunting task. Many college students take it upon themselves to find a major, craft a resume and cover letter, and dive into professional interviews, but these tasks do not have to be completed alone, nor do they have to be completed simultaneously.
Also very Important these days. Co - Working Spaces at Colleges & Universities.
Will Coworking Spaces Be The New Classrooms? Recommended Reading By: Demian Hammock.
As entrepreneurs, it seems that coworking is an appropriate response to the needs of today's students. Concerned with the success of their students, some universities have now chosen to partner with coworking spaces or to create their own, such as H4 and Kosilab.
Service Learning
Service Learning will not land you a job like a Co-op programme or a first rate Career Service Dept. Though hands on learning never hurts. Though it does look better on resume that just saying you took a course. Think of it as add on to your resume.
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Interesting Concept with Dealing with the Skills Gap Problem.
Zedfast's Steve Scott, Sackville, N.B. Canada. A virtual solution to a staffing problem. The skills gap problems even in a University Town.
Zedfast's Steve Scott needed to add more specialized software developers, but found it tough to lure them from urban tech hubs to a small town. Article, By: Prof NAUMAN FAROOQI."To cater to future growth and develop further potential talent, Mr. Scott has set up an “app club” at Mount Allison that meets once a week, allowing him, students and faculty to brainstorm ideas, and get students excited about software development."
Grants for Students & Young People
How to Get a Job/Career with just Liberals Arts Degree.
Matching Grants to get you Started in the Right Direction.
What kind of Jobs can you get with a Liberal Arts Degree ? What about Matching Grants to Start your Own Career, Via Federal or Provincial Grants !
By: Demian Hammock, Diploma of Advanced Studies Human Resources
Nova Scotia Getting the Big Picture about Career Services.
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