Robert Wooden, Director, Management Career Services
“Many students expect to advance their career rapidly and expect many role changes. Our students’ ability to continue to learn, their health and resiliency will all greatly contribute to their success and the success of the organizations that recruit them.” Robert Wooden, Director of the Faculty of Management’s Management Career Services
“Are we really preparing business students for the future workforce?”
Six team members from Dalhousie University’s co-op offices joined other co-op and career services practitioners from across Canada with employers focused on student and early talent recruitment for two days of learning and engagement in early December for the 2020 edition of the Future Workforce Conference. Sessions included the Gen Z Mindset, EDI in Recruitment, Game Based Assessment Tools, and Virtual Education Programs to Equip Future Talent and much more.
Robert Wooden, Director of the Faculty of Management’s Management Career Services unit was one of Dalhousie’s attendees and returned as a repeat presenter, having presented last year on the topic “Growing Your On Campus Brand”. This year Robert joined reps from McMaster University, BMO Bank of Montreal, and KPMG to discuss the topic “Are We Really Preparing Business Students for the Future Workforce?”
The session dialogue was rich, questions many and varied all while the panel members engaged with the audience to answer chat questions in real time over the 60 minutes. The dialogue included examination of the need of hard skills and soft skills as well as the ability for today’s graduates to be prepared and want to continue to learn throughout their entire career.
Employers interested in seriously tapping into this talent must be mindful of such considerations as socioeconomic issues, inclusion & diversity, mental health, as well as adaptability and agility. Closing remarks included a resounding “yes” from all four panelists that business schools are preparing students for the future workforce however the pace in which we need to make these preparations are changing.
Many students expect to advance their career rapidly and expect many role changes. Our students’ ability to continue to learn, their health and resiliency will all greatly contribute to their success and the success of the organizations that recruit them.
Robert and the Employer Development Team at Dalhousie’s Management Career Services is pleased to connect with new employers and Dalhousie FoM alumni alike to discuss how they can recruit talented students from business programs with the Faculty of Management for co-op, internship and post-grad opportunities.
