The Stress of a Student

Wow, Can you believe we are on week 8 already! I bet everyone has been busy finishing assignments and beginning to get ready for mid-terms. Life of a student can be very stressful, especially if you have more on your plate. Allot of people have children, volunteer, work and much more. In this day and age people tend to put so much on themselves until they burn out. Stress relief is important to do regularly as much as we like to put it off or say we don't have time. Make time for some of these great stress relievers.

1) Listen to music
2) Sing Loudly
3) Clean
4) play with your kids
5) exercise
6) hit the punching bag! Or pillow, clay, stress balls all help release the pressure you are feeling.
7) Journaling/Blogging
8) Watch a reality show- Happiness at the misery of others, we subconsciously are lifted when we see others fail. Weird as it sounds
9) Take a bath/Walk
10) Delegate- stop putting so much on your work load
11) Eat Chocolate- Mmm

I Hope these tips help!

Ada
Peer Employment Advisor

Where in the world?

Where have all the good jobs gone? Do you feel like you are either over qualified or under qualified for the jobs you’re applying for, or that you keep applying to places but are getting no response? Well, you’re not alone. Not only are students having a hard time finding jobs, so are grads. Many people have been returning to school to start a second career because they can't find any jobs in their field. What has happened over the last few years to make all the great jobs unattainable? Well, I maybe can't answer why you are not getting any calls back but I can definitely give some tips from experience and from my peers to help you along the way.

1. Think Big! - "If you’re going to be thinking anyway, think big" ~Donald Trump
2. Be Confident - You deserve success and believe it!
3. Set Yourself Apart - Think outside the box
4. Be Honest - There is no point being dishonest since the truth has a way of surfacing.
5. Research - Many companies will ask you questions from their web pages. Show you are interested by having some information ready
6. Be Persistent - you never know if you are one call away from getting your dream job.
7. Get a Second Opinion - Don't get frustrated, you have the resources at the school to help you perfect your résumé. Use them.

Come by and visit the Career Centre!

Ada
Peer Employment Advisor

New to the Loyalist Career Centre

Hey everyone!

I have been recently hired as the new Peer Employment Adviser and I love everything about it. I have learned so much about portfolios, resumes, cover letters and interviews. As a student, I feel I was really unaware of how much the career centre does and how accessible they are to students. They are available to students all throughout the day and always greet you with a warm welcome. The people in the Career Centre are so approachable and love assisting students with the difficult task of job hunting. Lets face it, it has been getting more and more difficult for students to find a job, even just at Tim Hortons. I myself struggled throughout the summer, and through that have gained some valuable experience and tips on job hunting.
The Career Centre has been vary flexible for working around my school schedules, and I really appreciate it. I suggest the first stop to make before job hunting is the Career Centre. They may not always have a potential job, but you can get valuable information, suggestions, and tips on whatever you may be applying for.
This is a great resource for students that you should not pass up. Even if you think your resume is perfect, it can't hurt to get a second opinion. There will be a resume clinic every Tuesday and Thursday in the cafeteria, so if you are a little nervous to go to the Career Centre, they have made themselves available for one on one's with the students on their turf and time.

Happy Hunting!
Thanks and Talk to you soon
Ada

Getting Started

We've officially been in school now for two weeks and your classes are starting to become familiar. Get excited because we only have 12 more weeks to go. The year is going to fly by!

The first couple of weeks are usually very stressful, but don't worry - it gets better! If you are having doubts about the course you are taking, you have other options. Come talk to us at the Career Center and we can help you get into a program that better suits you!

School is tough work; lots of assignments and lots of events going on. Where can you fit it all in?
It's a good idea to start learning time management skills earlier rather than later. Your success mentor will always be there to help you out. Don't be afraid to be keen and work ahead in class or ask for help.

We are always available in the Career Center to do our best to help you out. We have computers you can access, free fax machine service and much more. Don't hesitate to come in.

The school has so many different resources, it would be a shame not to use them. If you need tutoring, it's free; if you need someone to proof read your work, we've got it.

Get involved with our resources, I can guarantee you that they will help you.

Good luck with the rest of the semester and remember: don't stress out!

Thanks for listening :)
Your peer employment advisor,
Leah

Are you struggling for a placement?

Many of you are in that time of the school year where you are beginning to look for a placement.

Are you struggling to find out where you would like to go? The Career Centre can help!

We have a variety of resources that will help you narrow down employment possibilities and highlight your strengths and weaknesses. The Career Centre has electronic sources that will help give you guidance.

We can help you find your career goal!

Come into the Career Centre, Room 2H3

Working on Campus

Hey guys,
My name is Leah Smolders and I am the new Peer Employment Advisor for the Career Centre. Some of you might know who I am, some of you may not. I am here to tell you a bit about what it's like to work on campus and to encourage you to do the same.
I was hired on as the Peer Employment Advisor a couple of weeks before school started and it's been a blast so far. I have been learning so much from how to properly do resumes and how to get your best job search done.
It has been great working at the school because your employers realize school comes first. I work during the day only when I can. If I have a two hour break, like I know manyof you do, I work.
It's nice being able to walk to work; the convenience is great. It's not too many hours but it still allows me some pocket change for the weekends.
It is a great learning experience and I encourage all of you to check out our Work Study Postions.
We are hiring another Peer Employment Advisor here in the Career Centre. Drop in your resume.
Are you needing resume assistance? Come into the Career Centre and we will do our best to help you spice it up.
We have a variety of resources to help with job searches, job interviews, as well as resume critiquing.
Come on in to the Career Centre and see what we have for you!!

Thanks guys, talk to you soon.

Looking For A Job?

Are you looking for a part time job? Come check out our job posts!! You can look at our career board as well as following us on Twitter and our blog!

How about looking for a job on campus?
Come into the Career Centre and pick up a Work Study form and start applying now!

Follow us on Twitter!

Loyalist Career Centre is now on Twitter. Follow us for job postings and information on Career Centre events.

Check out www.twitter.com/CareerCentre

Looking for a job during the school year?

Now is the time to look for a part-time job during the school year. Many area businesses are currently hiring part-time positions, especially in retail, security and food services. Check out the link list on the side for a variety of part-time opportunities, and check back regularly for new updates.

If you are interested in working on campus this semester, stop by the Career Centre office (Room 2H3) to pick up a Work Study Application Form.

And, as always, we can help you with your resume and cover letter. Just stop by, or e-mail careers@loyalistc.on.ca

Hey Guys! So this is my last week here at the College as a Student Peer Employment Advisor. I obtained a job within my field so I will be jobbing out at the end of the week. I am sad to go but excited to expand my skills and grow in my career. Working in the Career Centre this summer has been a blast, I worked with a great team and did some really cool projects!

Working on campus my three years here at the College has been an experience of a lifetime. It is so convenient to work on campus, your schedule is very flexible, and you work with great people. I would recommend for anyone to get a work study form and work on campus, it will truly be a great opportunity.

For the ones who don’t know what work study is, work study is a part time on campus position. Students who are in a full time program and demonstrate financial need may apply for work study. You can pick up a form in our office, the main office or financial aid. Come into the Career Centre we have a list of 2009-2010 positions you can apply for.

Here are a few sample work study positions:

Office Assistant
Test Invigilator
SAL Lab Assistant
Peer Tutor
Peer Advisor
Campus Recreation Staff

Have a great year everyone!

Goodbye Summer...Hello Fall...

As summer is quickly coming to an end, the fall semester is just around the corner. The Career Centre is getting ready for a great new year. We provide services for Loyalist College students, and Alumni, with their job search and career advice, free of charge. Student and Alumni are welcome to drop by at any time to get advice, speak to someone or pick up one of our handouts.

Our Services Include:

Resume and Cover Letter Development

Mock Interview

Job Search Advice and Assistance

Career Advising and Assessment

Online Job board

Portfolio Development

Career Development Certificate Program

Graduate Statistics and Labour Market Information

Community Resources and Brochures

What not to do at work…bad habits

Everyone is guilty of bad habits they have generated and brought to their place of work…So students beware of your bad habits and be careful using them in your summer workplace. See below for things that we are all guilty of and ways to overcome them.

Punctuality: Being late for work!: Try setting your clocks ten min fast..you will never be late to anywhere.

Procrastination: Prioritizing projects and tasks: Make a list of all your projects you are working on. Rank them in order of importance and what needs to be done first. Once you complete a project or tasks scratch it off your list.

Doing personal business at work: online banking, online shopping: Plan to do your personal business on your breaks..It’s that simple!

Social Items: Texting, checking facebook, msn, and personal e-mail: Shut your phone off, leave it in your car. As for facebook block the website and msn just don’t download it onto your computer. If it already there delete it.

Staying Focused..: Set goals to stay on task and once you have reached your goal reward yourself. Do that throughout your day..you will notice the amount of work you get done…but don’t get to caught up in rewarding yourself.

Keeping Cool Over the Summer!....or is it a Love/Hate Relationship?

Just some tips to keep in mind over the summer..!

•Do company business on company time.
•Get to know your co-workers. Take this as an opportunity to make friends or even a networking circle.
•Keep a log book when you learn something new. Keeping record could come in handy at a later date.
•Be neat, keep everything organized. People tend to associate neatness with good work ethics.
•Have fun! It is important to experience leisure activities, to balance out your schedule.

Try to make the most out of your summer job and have fun while you are at it!

You either love your job or really don’t like it. Here are some points to help you learn to love your job!

•Maintain a positive attitude
•Be proactive, set personal goals: what do you want to accomplish at the end of the week, what stage should you be in with your project.
•Be self motivated and friendly.
•Fine a mentor in your workplace.
•Don’t be shy speak up when you have ideas, be innovative.

Remember no job is perfect..if you truly tried everything to enjoy your summer job and it’s just not working, take it as a learning experience and for next summer.. research different avenues!

First Day of Work

The first day of a new job is very nerve-racking but is probably the most important day of a summer job. Here are a few tips that will help in leaving a positive first impression.

• Dress for success! It’s better to be over dressed on the first day then to be underdressed.


• You might want to ask your supervisor beforehand what they consider to be appropriate.
  


• Be early! Arrive 15-20 min before expected time.
  


• Pay attention, especially to polices, rules and regulations.
  


• Ask lots and lots of questions, don’t be shy ask for clarification if needed.
  


• Remember the names of people you were introduced to for future reference.

Survival of the fittest!

For the month of July, the Career Centre Blog will be full of cool summer tips to get you through your summer job.


Work Safety: When starting a new a job work safety is the number one priority, but many students feel the excitement and forget their rights and responsibilities. Workplace safety is extremely important, visit the link below for more information on your rights.


http://www.youngworker.ca/en/flash/yw_2008.aspx

Resume & Interview Tips

Resume Tips:

- Stay away from templates, employers will know plus they are very difficult to change
- Research different resume formats ( Chronological, functional, combination and find out when to use them
- Do use action verbs
- Have others read it
- Do not use the pronoun I’
- Do not use weak words
- Do not provide a job description
- Do not rely on spell check

Interview Tips:

- Know yourself and know what you want
- Know your resume and have examples
- Bring extra copies of your resume
- Research the company
- Have questions prepared
- Dress for success
- Follow up with a thank you (e-mail, thank you card, letter)

For further information on Resume and Interview Tips come in and see one of our Career Advisors. Practice makes perfect!

Electronic Resume?

Has anyone ever forgot to attach their resume to an e-mail or made a mistake in your cover letter but did not notice till later.....after you sent it? If anyone answered yes to either questions check out the links below, or come on in for a mini workshop with one of our great staff members. They can help you effectively send your resume and cover letter by e-mail.

Prepare Your Resume for Email and Online Posting - http://www.rileyguide.com/eresume.html

Resume Tips for New Graduates - http://www.gradresumes.com/blog/2007/email-attachments-when-you-send-your-resume-electronically-dos-and-no-nos.html

Top 10 Job Search Strategies

Having a hard time searching for a Job...? Try these tips!

Top 10 Job Search Strategies

1. Make a list of your knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA)
2. Define what your work goals are, remember they must be measurable
3. Searching for a job should be treated as a full time job. Create a job
tracking sheet to monitor who you have contacted and followed up with.
4. Ensure you have a clean neat resume and a reference sheet
5. Cover letter should be clean, to the point and error-free
6. Network, Network, talk to everyone see who is hiring
7. Fill out applications forms, send out cover letters and resumes
8. Prepare for interviews: know the companies you are applying to
9. Have a follow – up system: Thank you cards
10. Stay motivated..your job search with bring you victory!

Get To Know Yourself

Advice, student to students: How well do you know yourself and the skills you posses? Do you know what to offer an employer?

Your skills are broken into two different categories : Technical Skills and Personal Skills.

Technical skills are skills you learn in a past job, volunteer positions, life and school.
Example: Operating a cash register, overhauling small engines.

Personal skills (also known as transferable skills) are skills that are developed in every. These skills can be transfer from job to job.
Example: Sense of humour, organizing work.

Take some time and think about what skills you posses, and how they can benefit you when in search for a job.

Stay tune this month for Resume and Interview tips along with “Survival of the fittest”: how to survive that summer job!

Graduation Reflection.....Summer Employment

Graduation is a rite of passage, it’s a time when the world pushes forward and everyone takes a moment to stop and reminisce about their experiences and embrace their friendships they have built.

I would like to congratulate everyone for crossing the stage and taking the next step to start your career. Any question in regards to career counseling, job search, or you just want to get a jump start on your career contact us at the Career Centre (careers@loyalistc.on.ca) and we will ensure you have a successful experience.

If you are still looking for summer employment, check out the links below:
Canadian Heritage is the location for summer jobs and internships: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/jct-ycw/index-eng.cfm

Federal Government Job Bank:
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/Intro_eng.aspx

Why Network?

Why not take the opportunity to network with some Alumni at Graduation?

Networking is the process of developing and nurturing personal and professional contacts to obtain referrals, advise, information and support. Networking provides you with contacts/feedback, allows for opportunity to gain new experiences and knowledge, meet new friends and networking can help you help others.

Networking is a part of everyday life, it happens in all sorts of ways and with all sorts of different people...whether it is face to face interaction, phone calls, to chatting with a family member or old friend…you are networking.

Food for thought: Networking is an essential component of a job search since the majority of jobs are referred by word-of-mouth…interesting eh!

So why not start at graduation?

Erin’s RYLA Experience!

Positive Choices: Powerful Outcomes!

WOW! My experience at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) was unforgettable. This program generated high personal satisfaction, in terms of receiving the tools and skills needed for me to grow as a leader.
Last week was extremely engaging, as we were constantly faced with new and exciting challenges. I must say it was an overwhelming experience but the friendships built and the knowledge gained to be an effective leader has initiated change in my eyes. Learning the different behavior styles and their key characteristics will improve the effectiveness of my interactions with others.

OK, so now for the fun stuff. During my week at RYLA we did lots of activities. One I want to share pretty much sums up everything I learned that week. It is called Blind Polygon (I think).

So there were 27 RYLA participants we are all in a circle blindfolded in the gym. Each person had to hold onto the rope with both hands and were not allowed to remove them. We were only allowed to drag our hands up and down the rope. Our task was to create a square blindfolded! Crazy eh?! Well once we were given the go ahead to start, we soon realized the rope was tangled and this was going to be harder than we thought.

Now you are probably wondering what the point of this activity was …..well we had to use all of the skills we learned about during RYLA: communication skills which include active listening (extremely hard for some behavioural styles), team work, controlling stress levels, reaction to change, and learn how to prioritize demands. This was the most challenging task of all. I am pretty sure everyone was extremely frustrated with one another by the end of this activity but it was a perfect example to best describe our learning of the week.
So that’s pretty much it for me. This was an experience of a lifetime and Rotary also offers many other adventures like this one, (i.e. University Exchange).

If anyone wants more information see previous post or contact me via careers@loyalistc.on.ca

Get involved, you can create change in anything you do!

“Leadership Begins With Me”

Hey Loyalist!

The Career Centre blog will be experiencing an overhaul. Next week I will be taking part in Ryla (The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) with two other fellow students Luc Fonurnier and Amanda Deeth. This program is designed for young individuals who are 19-22 years of age. This program allows the candidates to get to know themselves better and to cultivate the respect and trust of others. Individuals will also be able to identify their own leadership skills and determine ways to seek effective resources.

So the plan! This year Loyalist College has the opportunity to host The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. The three of us students will be taking part in small group discussions, recreational activities, simulated games, and leisure activities to build our leadership skills.

This wouldn’t have been possible without our local Rotary Club, district 7070. Thanks to our sponsors, we have been given this great opportunity to attend this leadership training course. Now I bet you all are wondering what Rotary is…well The Rotary foundation provides humanitarian services as well as helps build goodwill and peace in the world.

Seeking more information or wanting to get involved? Contact Geoffrey Cudmore (GCudmore@Loyalistc.on.ca) at Loyalist College. He is the coordinator for the student run Rotaract Club of Loyalist College.

Stay tuned for Ryla updates coming next week…….

Cheers,

Erin

Where in the world: Ireland

Location: Western Europe
Population: 4,203,200
Main Cities: Dublin, Belfast, Limerick
Language: English, Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge)
Currency: 1 EUR = 1.58825 CAD
Industry: Agricultural, Mining, Manufacturing, and Tourism
Documents Needed to Work Here
Valid Canadian Passport
Valid Work Permit

Where in the World: Brazil

Location: Eastern South America
Population: 198,739,269
Main Cities: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro
Language: Portuguese, Spanish, English
Currency: 1.00 BRL= 0.55 CAD
Industry: Agricultural, Mining, Manufacturing, and Service Sectors
Documents Needed to Work Here:
Valid Canadian Passport
Valid Work Permit

Where in the World: Turkey

Location: Europe and Asia
Population: 76, 000, 000
Main Cities: Istanbul, Ankara
Language: Turkish, Kurdish, some English
Currency: 1 Turkey Lira=$.74 Canadian Dollars
Industry: Textiles, Tourism, Agriculture, Finance

Documents Needed to Work Here:

Valid Canadian Passport

Work Visa

Where in the World: Bermuda

Location: Caribbean
Population: 67, 000
Main Cities: Hamilton, Southampton
Language: English, Portuguese
Currency: 1 Bermuda=$1.23 Canadian
Industry: Finance, Tourism

Documents needed to work here:

Valid Canadian Passport

Valid Work Permit

Where in the World: Canada

Location: North America
Population: 33, 000, 000
Main Cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, Calgary
Language: English and French
Currency: Canadian Dollars ($)
Industry: Agriculture, Automotive, Tourism, Oil, Manufacturing

Documents Needed to work here:

Social Insurance Number

Where in the World: Italy

Location: Europe
Population: 58, 000, 000
Main Cities: Rome, Naples, Venice, Milan
Language: Italian, English
Currency: 1 Euro=$1.63 Canadian
Industry: Tourism, Machinery, Textiles, Auto

Documents Needed to Work Here:

Valid Canadian Passport
Company Sponsorship

***Also extremely helpful to speak Italian***

Where in the World: South Africa

Location: Africa
Population: 49,000,000
Main Cities: Johannesburg, Cape Town
Language: IsiZulu, English
Currency: 1.00 Rand=$0.136 Canadian
Industry: Mining, Machinery, Tourism

Documents Needed to Work Here:

Valid Canadian Passport

Valid Work Permit