Student Spotlight: Kaylie Lang

March 31, 2015 Management Career Services 1 Comment

Kaylie Lang is a Bachelor of Management student finishing up her final year of study. Recently, Kaylie secured graduation employment with Imperial Tobacco.

“I came to Management Career Services for help in my final year of school, because I was scared of graduating, and didn’t know where to start. I had done work on my resume on my own, but it wasn’t until a Career Recruitment Specialist (Gillian Fowler) had a look over my cover letter that I realized just how many improvements I could make! She was also really supportive, and gave me the tools and resources to begin my job search.

I found the job posting from Imperial Tobacco on myCareer. I applied immediately, emailing their HR department my resume, as well applying through their website. Four skype interviews later, I got the call with an offer.

I have found that when interviewing with employers the most important thing is to know the industry. Employers want to know that the person they are interviewing is informed, and has put the work in to go above and beyond what is expected of them.

My advice for anyone on the job search is to not underestimate the importance of a good resume and cover letter. As well, do not be scared to start your search for fear of being overwhelmed, be the go-getter you know you can be, and just start already! I set an hour or two aside every day to apply for jobs, and it landed me a career right out of university!”

Do not miss the opportunity to meet with your Career Recruitment Specialist before the semester ends. Book your appointment on myCareer today!

Employer Spotlight: J.D. Irving Ltd.

January 28, 2015 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

J.D. Irving Ltd. is a valued Dalhousie employer, who is attending the Summer Job + Career Fair, January 29. J.D. Irving is a company with over 15,000 employees, in Canada and the United States. For over 130 years, J.D. Irving has been a strong player, with a diverse group of performance driven enterprises. Management Career Services asked Kristen Drapeau, Student Recruitment Manager at J.D. Irving about why J.D. Irving Ltd. is attending the Summer Job + Career Fair and why students should attend.

1. Why is J.D. Irving attending the Summer Job + Career Fair?

We believe that one of the top means to finding student talent is through interaction, and attending such student events allows our team to build relationships and provide information on the types of opportunities we have within our organization. Students have the opportunity to hear from either recruiters and/or people from our business on what it is like to work for our organization.

2. Why do you think it is important for students to attend job fairs?

It’s an ideal way for students to learn about their potential future employers and also a great way to start building a network of people from various industries. The businesses who attend Career Fairs are there specifically to identify talent and share on the various types of Career opportunities they may not be aware of that compliments their current education choice.

3. What type of jobs do you offer for business students and recent grads?

Our student opportunities include: co-op, summer student, and intern positions, and our new graduates-career track program. Recognized as a Top Employer of Youth by the Conference Board of Canada, we provide valuable work experience that allows you and our managers to identify potential opportunities for full-time employment with our company. At J.D. Irving, Limited, we are developing tomorrow’s leaders today.

4. What skills/qualities do you look for in applicants?

We recognize that sometimes students do not always come to us with exact work related experience as it would relate to their current education. We want to make certain that the skills/behaviours and education are in line with the role. What we would look for is prior work experience, types of extra-curricular and community involvement, leadership qualities, demonstration of initiative, a solid work ethic, solid communication skills, willingness to learn, and last but not least, a positive attitude

5. Any tips for how students could prepare to interact with you at the Summer Job and Career Fair?

Do your research: check out our corporate site and get familiar with the various business streams
Have an idea of what kind of experience you are looking to obtain.
Location: sometimes the right opportunity means working in a different city or province.
Have your resume ready to hand out (spell-check!).
Dress professionally: this is your time to make a great first impression.

Do not miss out on the opportunity to connect with J.D. Irving Ltd. on Thursday, January, 29. Register for the Summer Job + Career Fair on myCareer.

Student Spotlight: Ivan Slywka

December 9, 2014 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Ivan Slywka graduated from the Bachelor of Management program in April of this year with a major in Public Sector Management. Before he graduated, Ivan completed a twelve-month internship with the Government of Saskatchewan through the Management Internship Program. Ivan explains how his experience working with payroll operations was valuable to his overall career development:

“The internship gave me great experience working in a professional environment and allowed me to explore a job much more in depth than any summer job ever did that was directly related to my major. I was able to work on much larger projects that I was able to see through to the end.”

It would have seemed as though Ivan was destined to achieve a career in the public sector, however, he instead secured a post-grad position with Cargill as an Associate Production Supervisor. Ivan claims that although his position is not within his preferred major, he is still able to apply the valuable skills he developed while on his public sector internship:

“Although my current position is not in the public sector I still draw on things every day that I learned during my internship. This includes time management skills, communicating with both co-workers and customers, and technical skills. I’m not disappointed at all that my current job is not in the public sector because the professional skills I learned while on my internship are only going to advance my career no matter what industry I choose to work in. I find the public sector interesting, but I also enjoy the position I have at Cargill. If I could go back, I do wouldn’t change a thing.

Once you start your internship make sure to take opportunities that are offered and seek out things that will challenge you. The internship is a great experience and you will learn a lot even if you don’t end up in your dream job.”

Visit the Bachelor of Management Internship program website for more information on how you can get involved with the program. The application deadline for the 2015 Internship Program is Thursday, January 29^th!

Looking for career advice? Book an appointment with your Career and Recruitment Specialist through myCareer.

How to Handle Job Search Stress and Stay Motivated

December 2, 2014 Management Career Services 2 Comments

It is not easy to stay on track all the time when you’re job searching, especially for students who are trying to secure their first co-op or internship position. Looking for the right job can be a long process that can feel repetitive and can exhaust your motivation. But did you know there are certain steps you can take to help you avoid job search burnout and stay motivated? Here are some tips you can follow:

Instead of only applying to a bunch of jobs online, try to do more networking with professional contacts around you.

If you are beginning to lose patience editing version after version of your cover letter and resume, reading endless job postings and sending tons of emails, try putting them aside for a moment to join in some real conversations with people. Former colleagues, friends, professionals anyone you can reach out to could be a source of fresh information.

Set up a time table and use your time wisely.

Making a schedule is never a bad idea, and planning your time in advance could significantly increase your efficiency and reduce your stress and anxiety. Break each day into chunks and make sure to leave yourself enough room to review your resume, to correct mistakes, to follow up with employers and to apply for new jobs. Check out our student spotlight on Jeremy Austin-Evelyn which includes his advice on improving your time management.

Get involved in various activities outside your job search to stay healthy and focus.

Fill your spare time with things you enjoy, such as hanging out with friends, getting some physical exercise and volunteering. Not only will it keep you balanced, but it can also help to clear your mind. It is important for first time job seekers to try and maintain a positive attitude.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Sometimes things can be really tough and difficult, but Management Career Services is here to offer a helping hand. Make an appointment with one of our Career Recruitment Specialists on myCareer to get your job search questions answered or discuss your career plans. We will be more than happy to help you along your job search journey.

For more tips on staying motivated, check out this Careerealism article, 10Tips On How To Stay Positive While Looking For A Job.

Danielle Skuy: Student Spotlight

November 18, 2014 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Danielle Skuy is a second year Commerce student who was a finalist in last year’s You’re Hired Interview Competition. As a first year student participating in the competition, Danielle was diligent in her preparation and offers some advice on how to prepare an elevator pitch for the second round of the competition:

“Memorize your elevator pitch, then practice in the mirror and try to make your memorized pitch sound conversational so you do not sound like a broken record. Remember to be yourself; I loved giving the elevator pitches and I loved making the judges laugh. ”

Beyond reaching the final round and participating in a live interview with representatives from Scotiabank, Danielle claims the experience she had during the Interview Competition was something that helped her secure her first co-op work term:

“I think a large part of the reason that I got the first co-op position I interviewed for is because of how the Interview Competition prepared me. Once you interview for a job in front of a room of people while being filmed, regular interviews are a breeze.”

Danielle also offered some encouraging advice to students who are unsure if they should register for this year’s competition:

“Compete! You are going to spend the rest of your life interviewing, but you will not always get the chance to receive constructive feedback. It was so much fun and learning how to interview truly is a learned skill that takes practice. My advice is to go for it- especially if you are in your first year. It is excellent practice for co-op interviews.”

Visit dal.ca/mcs for more information on how to apply to the 10^th Anniversary You’re Hired Interview Competition. Registration closes on January 9^th!

Student Spotlight: Jeremy Austin-Evelyn

November 12, 2014 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Jeremy Austin-Evelyn is a current Bachelor of Commerce student who is acting as Co-Captain of the Rowe Mo Bros & Sistas Movember fundraising team; a team that helped Dalhousie become the #1 per capita Movember fundraising university in Canada last year.

In addition to his Movember fundraising initiatives, Jeremy is also the President of the Dalhousie Investment Society (DALIS), a delegate for The Rowe JDC Central (JDCC) Finance Team, and is also in the midst of his post-graduate job search. With this very busy schedule, Jeremy understands the importance of time management and shares how he effectively organizes his time:

“I always try to maximize my time by getting up early, and planning my days in detail the night before to prevent myself from getting stressed or disorganized during busy days. I have a notebook that I use specifically for planning in order to manage my time. Another strategy I use is to set goals for what I want to achieve during particularly busy times. This helps me stay focused and also keeps me motivated to succeed.”

“If you have busy schedule with a lot of responsibilities, you have to be disciplined and consistent. Always try to write your objectives down and use technology to assist you in achieving those objectives.”

Jeremy is excited about this year’s Movember fundraising initiative and explains why students should be too:

“Students should get involved for a myriad of reasons. Foremost among them is to raise awareness and create conversations about men’s health, second, and probably more at the centre of students’ minds is the incredible amount of fun we have doing that. We are hosting an event every week such as the shave down in the Student Union Building on Oct. 30th and a dodgeball tournament last week. Currently the team has raised $15,982 and boasts 157 members.”

To join the Rowe Mo Bros & Sistas team, create a login at ca.movember.com and simply join the Rowe Mo Bros & Sistas to start fundraising! Donations can also be made on the team’s movember page.

Student Spotlight: Yiran Chen

October 28, 2014 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Yiran Chen is a second year Commerce student who recently secured her first co-op work term in Halifax with Ernst & Young. From the time she began her first year at Dalhousie, Yiran has been dedicated to developing her professional skills by participating in career workshops and information sessions. She believes that taking this initiative can make the job search process easier and more successful:

“Never hesitate to ask for advice from senior students, your professors, mentors, and advisors at MCS. The earlier you start asking them questions, the more you’ll learn, and the better you will be prepared for the job search.”

Yiran is also making the most of the opportunities Management Career Services offers students who are preparing for their job search. For example: Yiran attended an Ernst & Young information session where she gained insight into the company before applying for their co-op position. She then used the advice and knowledge she took away from the information session to help her build a strong application and eventually secure a position with Ernst & Young:

“MCS is very useful and helpful. I recommend you take advantage of their resources from day one. I learned almost everything about the business world (such as appropriate business attire), from workshops held by MCS. Attending events and info sessions is the best way to learn about employers and to show them your initiative.”

Yiran shares her advice for both first-year and international students on how to become confident with their career development and co-op job search:

“Don’t be terrified to show up at an info session when you are a first year student. Just be present in the room and listen, see how other students ask questions and network with employers. You will get used to it and learn how to do employer research and ask smart questions, which is much easier than learning all those things while under the pressure of job searching. “

For information on upcoming MCS events, visit the events calendar on myCareer.

Patrick Farrar: Student Spotlight

October 7, 2014 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Patrick Farrar is a graduate of the Dalhousie Bachelor of Management program whose previous work experience includes careers with both Clean Nova Scotia and Clearwater Seafoods. Most recently, Patrick is acting as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Venture for Canada (VFC), a not-for-profit company that connects top graduates with some of the best start-ups in Canada.

VFC provides graduates a 2-year paid fellowship under the roof of a successful start-up, where they are able to learn the do’s and don’ts of launching their own business. Throughout the 2 years, fellows will be provided with mentors and training opportunities to continually push and improve their entrepreneurial capacity.

In addition to the training, the VFC teaches entrepreneurial students about the industry before they actually start a business. Patrick believes this is what separates the VFC from other entrepreneurial programs:

“VFC is different than other programs because we don’t just push them to start a business off the get go. Fellows are trained through our program and when they finish they know exactly the industry, market, team, and processes needed to succeed.”

“I got involved to help provide a training opportunity for entrepreneur students who are looking to make an impact in Canada, something that was not available when I was in university.”

If you’re an entrepreneurial student interesting in the Venture for Canada program, visit their website for more information and apply for the VFC fellowship position through myCareer’s Career Services section (Job ID# 42499)! Application deadline is October 16^th.

Student Spotlight: Ellen Bode

September 30, 2014 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Ellen Bode is in her third year of studies in the Bachelor of Management program and was recently awarded one of four $5000 RBC Capital Markets Scholarships for Women which includes a four-month internship next summer with RBC Capital Markets in Toronto. In addition to the internship, Ellen will be matched with a RBC Capital Markets mentor to provide her with career development insight both before and after her internship with RBC.

In order to receive the scholarship, Ellen endured an extensive application process including an in-person interview with a panel of RBC Capital Market and Human Resource experts in Toronto. Although Ellen had not taken a finance course in her University career, she sought out advice from her network of contacts. It is this type of initiative that Ellen believes students need to show when applying for scholarships:

“The first step is obviously to have the initiative to apply no matter how complex the process may seem. Also do not be afraid to ask for help. When I was given the question I had to discuss in my interview I was pretty overwhelmed as I had never taken a finance class before, but I met with two contacts I had in the finance sector as well as two Dalhousie finance professors who really helped me prepare a great answer.”

Beyond drawing from the expertise within her network, Ellen knew how to incorporate her experience into an effective application and claims that recognizing opportunities to gain experience is crucial to improving your career development:

“It’s important to know that your efforts today in obtaining good grades and participating in activities, be it volunteering, work experience or involvement in sports, could play a big role in landing an interview.”

Visit the RBC Capital Markets Scholarship for Women webpage for more details on the scholarship and to see the full list of this year’s winners.

Student Spotlight: Matthew Miler

September 23, 2014 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Matthew Miller is currently in his third year of the Bachelor of Commerce program. He is currently in a co-op position with Mindful Scientific, a start-up medical device company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Throughout his time at Dalhousie, Matthew has participated in many career development workshops, including seven company information sessions, the Toronto Corporate Tour, several panel discussions, and the Halifax Career Fair. Matthew feels that these events played a big role in landing him his current and two previous co-op positions:

“I achieved everything I wanted by attending the workshops. It drastically improved my career development. I met numerous Senior Associates, Managers and top Executives while attending these events and I remain in contact with most.”

Matthew offers some encouragement to those who feel intimidated by attending information sessions to meet employers or do not yet see the benefits of attending workshops.

“I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that we, as students, believe employers are not there to help us but in reality it is the complete opposite. Employers attend these workshops to find passionate and ambitious students who they see potential in. Furthermore, as we all know, finding a job or a co-op placement can be tough; it is all about who you know. In short, trading emails with top Executives in some of Canada’s biggest companies will not guarantee you a job but they have the connections and abilities to help make it happen.”

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