Careerscaping or developing your own career used to involve studying hard in university, getting good marks and finding a full time job in your final year. However, with the changes in the workplace, we are forced to look at the world of work from a different vantage point.
According to William Bridges, author of Job Shifts, How to Prosper in a Workplace Without Jobs, full time, traditional jobs are no longer the best way to divide up productive activity in the workplace. Employers can no longer forecast their long term staffing needs accurately due to the changing economy. So employers are considering more contract, term, and part time positions. For instance, a computer programming firm recently advertised for a director and two human resource specialists to conduct an extensive hiring initiative for their company. All three positions were three year term contracts. In other words, the employer was not willing to hire these specialists on a permanent basis, but as just-in-time employees.
So what does just-in-time employment mean to you? It means you must realize that a full time job is not necessarily waiting for you at graduation. Instead, a more flexible employment situation may await you, where employers only hire you for the period of time it takes to complete the job. Therefore, while attending university, you must continue to foster different skills in yourself and take more responsibility for your own career development.
Careerscaping, or taking responsibility for your own career development, is a multifaceted process. Consider Pamela, a recent U of M Psychology grad. At the end of her first year, Pamela took the opportunity to visit Student Counselling and Career Centre and participated in career counselling. The career testing was quite different from what was offered in her high school. Career counselling helped Pamela to see that she had many interests and abilities that she should emphasize in her degree program. One such interest included working with youth. How did Pamela develop some experience in this area? She started by volunteering with at-risk youth attending an inner city school.
Managing your career also involves developing a network to find suitable career connections. Talk to friends, neighbours and family about what you want to do and get referrals. Or join an association in your field. Establishing this network will put you in contact with potential employers. Introduce yourself and inquire about any part-time or term contracts that may be available. For instance, a recent history graduate joined a historical society and after several years, obtained two extensive research contracts. These contracts helped supplement a part-time position as a museum interpreter.
Being versatile is also important. Consider all the options. For example, Sharon was completing her Commerce degree in Human Resource Management and started researching job opportunities in that field. However, the job market seemed rather limited until she considered employment counselling as an option. Now, instead of hiring or interviewing people for jobs, Sharon assists people in finding these positions.
Above all, be creative. Use your research skills developed in university and analyse your industry. Identify the problems facing these employers. Think of ways to solve their problems and approach the employers with your ideas. Market your skills by proposing a pilot project or developing a grant application for specific funding.
As you can see, careerscaping today involves assessing your strengths, developing appropriate skills and charting your own career path in a just-in-time environment. By taking charge of your own career development, you can benefit from a rewarding and successful career.
Financial Planner * Denturist * Volunteer Administrator * Dental Hygienist * Insurance Broker * Home Support Worker * Social Worker * Recreational Program Director * Physician * Dentist * Health Care Administrator * Minister of Religion * Optometrist * Medical Radiation Technologist * Optician * Tour Guide * Chiropodist * Activities Aide * Chiropractor * Real Estate Agent * Dietitian and Nutritionist * Hairstylist/Barber * Funeral Director * Housing Administrator * Travel Counsellor * Speech-Language Pathologist * Counsellor * Audiologist * Respite Worker * Registered or Psychiatric Nurse * Massage Therapist * Lawyer * Physical/Occupational Therapist * Kinesiologist * Retail Salesperson/Manager * Senior's Transportation/Coordinator/Driver
Note: You may have heard that our population is aging and are hoping to choose an occupation that capitalizes on this demographic trend. This trend refers to the baby boom, a large bulge of population that greatly influences our markets. Baby boomers are generally defined as those born between the years of 1947-1966, meaning that they are now 29-48 years old. The greatest number were born in 1960, so it will be some time before they are seniors.
The Career Mentor Program is part of the career planning services offered by the Student Counselling and Career Centre. It helps you explore your career by introducing you to a career mentor in a specific field of work. The program involves a career test, an orientation and a one hour visit with your mentor at their workplace. The mentor can answer questions such as: Can you describe a typical day in your job?; How did you get started in your career?; What do you like about your career?; What skills do you need to perform this job well?; What is the average starting salary for this position?.
Find the solution to your career mystery through the Career Mentor Program. Sign up TODAY at Student Counselling and Career Centre, 474 University Centre or call 474-8592 for more information.
My main duty is to work on leisure education with clients. At the centre, we have a three-step process to help clients achieve their goals. Within the first month I assess the client's recreational needs. Areas we look at are: interests, past leisure activity, personal goals, knowledge of recreational resources, decision making, and motivation. The treatment team includes the unit supervisor, clinicians, the school, and the recreational specialist. After the assessment period, we decide which key issues are necessary to work on so that the client can function in the community. Key issues for clients may include self-esteem, depression, anger management, and family issues. From these issues we agree on a treatment plan for the clietnt. Every three months, a client's plan is reviewed and a report is written. As well, the treatment team meets regularly to ensure we are all working with the same goals in mind.
I work Monday to Friday, from eight until four in the afternoon. My day consists of meeting with two clients for an hour each. Throughout the day I have meetings with the treatment teams, complete administrative duties, and help on various committees. I have contact with youth care workers, psychologists, staff at the client's school, administrative staff, and maintenance workers.
BACKGROUND: I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a Bachelor of Recreational Studies at the University of Manitoba. My work placement at the Independent Learning Resource Centre helped with my knowledge of leisure education. I have also been a program planner at a nursing home. My diverse sports background helps when educating others about recreation. At the university, I played basketball, coached different programs, and volunteered when possible.
WJAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF YOUR JOB? It is a challenge to educate children who have little self respect and little value for life. I try to teach them new values and at times they are not receptive to these ideas. People ask me if I find working in this environment difficult. My response is that these children can be positive, especially during their leisure time. My job with the children is future oriented and therefore offers them a sense of control.
PROS/CONS OF YOUR JOB: I enjoy working with children of all ages. If I see an improvement in my clients, it makes me happy. A simple laugh or smile really makes my day. The area of recreation has always been of interest to me. The ability to share my interest with others is wonderful. However, there is not enough contact with the children at the centre. Daily, a lot of my time is spent on administrative duties.
WHAT IS THE JOB FUTURE? Within our recreation department, there are only three employees. The only higher position available is the Coordinator of Rec. Services. This position deals more with administrative duties and has less contact with the children.
In the future, recreation will continue to be more important. Currently, people in general may be experiencing more forced leisure time due to earlier retirement and unemployment. In these situations, leisure education will be useful.
HINTS YOU HAVE FOR STUDENTS: Volunteer wherever you can. There are many different areas in recreation. Find the one you enjoy and learn as much as possible. It may be valuable to speak to professors and professionals in the field. Currently, the Parks and Recreation branch is developing a support association for professionals in Recreation. At the group, professionals can share their experiences, resources, and information. Be patient and have conviction in what you are doing. People will question your motives for studying recreation. When these situations occur, stand firmly, believing that it provides a necessary service to the community.
World WISE (Work, Internship, Study, Exchange) is a new service of the Dept. of Student Affairs on campus, having just opened this past September. It is located on the 5th floor of University Centre, inside the International Centre for Students (Room 541). Between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday to Friday World WISE staff will assist you in finding:
World WISE can put you in touch with exciting possibilities for shaping your own education and giving you an international experience that will change your life! Come to the World WISE office at 541 University Centre and discover YOUR world of opportunity!
"I lived in Indonesia from July, 1992 to October, 1994. I went to study language and culture but in retrospect this seems very insignificant when compared to what I learned about myself." When asked how he became interested in visiting Indonesia, as opposed to any other part of the world, he laughs and says, "it chose me!".
In Toronto while volunteering with the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), John happened to inadvertently pass by the Indonesian consulate and decided to go in and gather some information on educational opportunities. AS an Asian Cultures student at university and having previously travelled Indonesia for four months in 1990, John was interested in the opportunities that lay ahead in this country. Through his experience in Indonesia in 1990, and then living/studying there between 1992 and 1994, he was fortunate to experience "both the perspective of a tourist and the perspective of a local."
"Before you decide to go abroad, you must first be willing to let go of the social paradigm of your own culture - be prepared to learn new social skills and values. It is easy to put ourselves [Canadians] above others by making comparisons to our system of educations and social values. However, these comparisons often become our largest barrier [to cultural adaptation]."
When becoming familiar with another culture, many people try too hard to "fit in" with their host culture and forget who they are. "We are hard on ourselves." says John. "We are conscious of everything and are too impatient with ourselves to allow for the mistakes necessary to learn... It is not an academic situation where you read a book and instantly become culturally aware and sensitive. It is an interactive process of socialization of which you are an active part. It comes not from the outside, but from within."
International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical
Experience (IAESTE) - Engineering & Science Internships:
Dec. 7/95
Canadian Foundation for the Americas (FOCAL) - MBA Internships:
Dec. 15/95