‘Help Wanted, must be prepared to impress’
In the face of economic crises, finding a job has become increasingly difficult for university graduates. Jobs that appeared to be in demand when one applied to university are becoming scarcer. With many applicants vying for few positions, the job market has suddenly become highly competitive. Applicants must now have a variety of accomplishments and life skills in order to be seriously considered for their dream job.
Those who are able to gain access to companies involving their field of study, often have to put in time working in unpaid positions before being considered for a paid job. By serving as an intern, one can gain vital experience as well as contacts in their field of interest. This can assist in obtaining meaningful employment, as managers prefer and favor candidates with in-house experience.
Another way to learn life skills is to travel or study abroad. Bishop’s students in particular are familiar with the benefit of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and thrusting themselves into another culture; one can’t avoid developing new perspectives and attitudes.
One recent Bishop’s graduate, Craig Atkinson, took full advantage of opportunities to travel when he was studying here. He carried out his co-op placement at the Australian Trade Commission, and went to the Netherlands on exchange. Craig asserted that the experience he gained abroad could not be acquired any other way. “It was a great experience; I learned a lot that you don’t read in a book”.
Craig attests that living for a period in a foreign country, immersed in the culture, is the key to gaining the most from the experience. “When I lived in the Netherlands, I got a really good idea of what they’re about; which doesn’t happen when you just visit somewhere”. He recommends that everyone go on exchange at some point.
The internship in Australia was an important milestone for Craig, who often changed his focus of study. He started out in Accounting before switching to a Marketing and Co-op degree. In the end, he chose to “change to international trade after finding the internship” in Australia.
It is a common experience for students to change their desired career path during their studies. For Craig, the changes were made easier by the unique ‘Bishop’s experience’. He claims that “it gives you a broad perspective”, and says that it’s fortunate that many classes are offered in various different departments.
Craig graduated from Bishop’s in 2008, and is now working as an intern for the Trade Commissioner’s Service at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT). He’s working with officials on a new Investment Cooperation Program, which was recently created to support Canadian businesses that want to invest responsibly in developing countries. This position combines Craig’s experience at the Australian Trade Commission with his interest in politics and his passion to help Canada.
For those graduating from Bishop’s, the ‘unique experience’ of the institution may be one of their best assets. Craig commented on how he was encouraged to learn how to deal with various obstacles. “Bishop’s doesn’t just provide you with internships”, he said, “I had to find them. I would have to speak with various people and jump through various hoops”.
One of the key elements of the ‘Bishop’s experience’ is learning how to network and communicate effectively with alumni. They can be a valuable resource when it comes to finding opportunities: Craig got his first placement through an Alumni member. Many Bishop’s graduates are currently working in a variety of industries. Being able to utilize this resource is an important skill for students to learn while studying at Bishop’s.
The administration at Bishop’s recently created a graduate task force to see how the school could help students acquire important job skills. The initiative was prompted by a noticeable lack of preparation skills displayed by some students. Principal Goldbloom commented on a meeting he had with alumni in Toronto, where they essentially said that they’re “not so sure if [they’re] prepared to continue to meet with students…they were unimpressed with the preparation the students had prior to coming to the meeting”.
Bishop alumni can be a fantastic resource; they can provide practical advice and access to job opportunities. Craig believes that our Alumni are more valuable than most, claiming that “they’re more successful than students from other schools”. He observes that many are “doing something worthwhile and interesting”.
However, this valuable asset should not be taken for granted. Goldbloom’s comments indicate that, despite the strong loyalty of our alumni, student must still be prepared to impress. Being a Bishop’s grad may help with getting a foot in the door, but the rest is up to the individual.
