How to complete your Work Term Acceptance Agreement

June 17, 2019 Andrea McKay Leave a Comment

myCareer: updating to serve you better

myCareer will be offline from Monday, July 8 to Friday, July 12 for a major system update. During this time, students and employers will be unable to access services on myCareer and there will be no new job postings. Job postings that would normally deadline within that period will be extended beyond the three-day update period.

In conjunction with the update, any job application documents saved to your myCareer account that are two years old or more (as of July 8, 2019), will be removed from the system during the shutdown period. It is your responsibility to retrieve any files you wish to keep in advance of that date.

We thank you for your patience and look forward to better serving you with an improved myCareer.
Students can access myCareer through the myDal portlet.

Upon securing your work term, one of the steps you must take is to complete your Work Term Acceptance Agreement. This, along with creating your Work Term Record, will ensure you receive full work term approval from our office.

1) Visit http://my.dal.ca and login to myDal

2) Click on myCareer (found under the Quick Links menu)

3) Click on Management Career Services

4) Scroll down to the relevant Work Term Record (i.e. Fall 2015)

5) Click on the Organization / Division name in the linked record

6) Under the Work Term Record tab click on Work Term Acceptance Agreement – No Record:

7) Click on Create Record

8) Select the relevant drop-down item:

A. Work term in Canada (Canadian citizen / Perm. Resident / Co-op Work Permit)
B. Work term in another country (Citizen / Perm. Resident of that country)
C. Work term outside of Canada (not a citizen of the work term country and have to complete additional paper form)*

9) Complete the information in the Employment Start / End dates, Total Number of Weeks, and Salary per hour based on hours per week fields.

10) Confirm that you have registered for the work term course (via Dal Online) by selecting Yes in the drop down menu

11) Click Save to submit your agreement

*If you are completing a work term outside of Canada (and you are not a citizen of that country – see category C in step 8 above) your Career Recruitment Specialist will provide you with a USA or International Student Acceptance Agreement form to complete.

UPass & Dalplex Info for Students on a Co-op/Internship Work Term This Summer

April 25, 2019 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

This information specifically pertains to Bachelor of Commerce Co-op students, Bachelor of Management Internship Students, and Corporate Residency MBA students embarking (or remaining) on a work term this summer.

UPass Opt-In Process:

If you are doing your work term within the Halifax area during Summer 2019, you can opt-in to the UPass program. You will be charged $78.50 and passes are now available.

To opt-in to the UPass for the summer term, you must visit the DalCard Office (6230 Coburg Road, Howe Hall) and provide proof that you are on an approved work term in Halifax. They will provide you with a sticker and charge your student account.

To prove your work term details, you can either:

login to myCareer and show your approved work term on your phone at the DalCard Office, OR
print a copy of your approved work term record to take with you to the DalCard Office as proof.

To print your work term record:

Login to myCareer, click on Management Career Services.
Scroll down to locate your co-op sequence on the right-hand side of the screen.
Click the link for the appropriate work term to access your work term record.
Click the blue Print Work Term Detail button that appears to generate a copy of your work term record and then print it.

*Please note that for the DalCard Office to issue your UPass, your work term record must have been approved by Management Career Services, the approved work term details completed and your work term must be in the Halifax area.

Learn more about the summer UPass.

Dalplex Access:
Dalhousie students do not pay any student services fees while on co-op work terms, which means they do not have access to Dalplex or Sexton Memorial Gym until they return to classes on a full-time basis. Visit Dalplex directly to purchase a term membership or for rate information, call 902-494-3372.

Student Spotlight: Natcha Wannaklang

October 30, 2018 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Natcha Wannaklang is a 4th-year BComm student majoring in accounting. She is originally from Thailand and came to Canada to pursue her undergraduate degree in Commerce at Dalhousie. Despite being an international student immersed in an unfamiliar country and speaking another language, Natcha was able to secure three work terms in Canada and fast-track her professional development. Keep reading to get inspired by Natcha’s work term success!

When asked about the biggest job search challenge she has had to face being an international student, Natcha says that it was difficult to make connections when all of your past work experience is in another country.

“It is hard to get your foot in the door for an interview with companies when your past work experience isn’t in Canada. Since I am from Thailand, all my work experience was in another language and culture, and I was trying to find work in a country I didn’t have any personal connections in. Even though I grew up speaking another language, I am fully capable of working in English, as are many other international students.”

Working in the small, rural community of Inverness during her second co-op work term at Cabot Links presented Natcha with a greater feeling of culture shock than she had experienced before. But it helped that her employers and co-workers were very welcoming, and all the workers were very close.

“When I first moved to Inverness, I lived in staff accommodations where I got to meet many of my coworkers who I now consider my friends. Since many of the workers at Cabot Links are from all over the country, having workplace events really helped bring everyone together and feel more a part of the team”.

One of the greatest strengths Natcha believes she brings to her employers as an international student is her diverse background and culture. Growing up in a different culture than most of her classmates and peers gives her the competitive edge of having a unique perspective. According to Natcha, sometimes a different perspective leads to a new way to solve a problem. This proved especially useful when tasked with finding solutions to problems during her work terms.

“Having multiple perspectives and approaches for solving problems is always beneficial because it allows a company to listen to new ideas and find a better way to achieve the goal at hand”.

Although Natcha has experienced challenges finding a co-op work term, she says her experience has been nothing but positive when it comes to personal and professional development. One of the most difficult aspects of being an international student is not knowing the culture of your host country. Natcha says that all three of her co-op work term employers went above and beyond and were welcoming and supportive throughout her employment. From helping to update her resume and cover letter, to engaging her in team building activities, Natcha says she has felt comfortable from the beginning.

When asked about what type of advice Natcha would give to fellow international students who are looking to make the most out of their co-op work terms, she says to work hard and make sure to get out of your comfort zone.

“Finding a co-op placement is never easy, so by working hard and applying to a lot of job openings, it increases the chances that you will find a co-op that you will like and will help you to further your future career. My work terms have resulted in going out of comfort zone by working in a communications role, moving to a small town in Cape Breton for work, and working in an industry I wasn’t very familiar with. The great thing about my work terms was that each one gave me the experience I needed to find work after I graduate”.

Pro Tip:Optimize your job application by tailoring your resume and cover letter to align your skills and experience with the specific job description and qualifications.

Want to learn more about finding work in Canada? Check out our e-learning webinar “Beginners guide – the job search in Canada” under the Resources section of myCareer.

Apply Now for Venture for Canada’s Atlantic Internship Program

July 11, 2018 Andrea McKay Leave a Comment

Good news for students seeking fall co-op opportunities in Atlantic Canada!

Venture for Canada’s new Atlantic Internship Program will help students gain work experience at growing Atlantic Canadian organizations. Atlantic Internship Program opportunities may be eligible for a Commerce co-op work term once approved by your Career & Recruitment Specialist. Students accepted into the program will:

be matched with qualified paid work opportunities at innovative companies
receive 20 hours of leading professional development and training
be invited to attend future innovation and networking events

To apply, complete their online application form by FRIDAY, JULY 20th. Accepted students will be notified by July 27th.

If you know of an employer who should participate in this program, please direct them here for more information.

Student Spotlight: Max Georgopoulos

January 22, 2018 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Max Georgopoulos is a second year Bachelor of Commerce student from Aurora, Ontario. Last year he was a part of the Marketing stream on the Toronto Corporate Tour. Max says his experience with the Corporate Tour was nothing but positive. “We saw a wide range of businesses, from start-ups to large corporations like PepsiCo. I got a great scope of what marketing looks like across all types of companies. I also made awesome connections with people in various industries, which ended up opening multiple doors for me in the future.”

Max went on to say he, “would recommend the Toronto Corporate Tour 100%” because he felt that getting an inside look at various companies gives students a better idea of what type of company they might want to work for in their co-op terms and in their career.

Max emphasized the importance of industry connections. Max says, “Having the right connections is one of the biggest factors in landing the job you want.” Max felt the greatest benefit of the Toronto Corporate Tour was networking, describing it as, “a great climate to make connections in, since these employers see you as an initiative-taker who cares about his/her career before you even open your mouth to speak. Good first impression if you ask me.”

“Networking on the tour ended up landing me two jobs: one at Mosaic over the summer and one at a Nudge Rewards for my current co-op. The co-op jobs that some of my friends landed were also a result of a connection that they made on the tour. Without the tour, neither me nor my friends would have been aware of these opportunities, let alone gotten the job. Go on the tour!”

For more information on the Toronto Corporate Tour attend the information session on January 25^th or go to dal.ca/mcs/corporatetours.

Student Spotlight: Victoria Palmer

January 9, 2018 Management Career Services Leave a Comment

Victoria Palmer is a fourth year Bachelor of Management Internship student from Vancouver, BC. During her eight-month internship, Victoria worked for LGFG Fashion House, a world-leading bespoke suit, shirt and shoe brand. LGFG is 7 years old, covers 26 countries, employs over 100 people, and is headquartered in Calgary. Victoria has always had an interest in buying and merchandising and has found an interest in seeing the cycle of service and the product. Working in a few different roles, including direct sales and corporate partnerships, Victoria was able to explore how she fit into the company best, and develop professionally. In addition to the work experience, Victoria also has the opportunity to attend the LGFG bi-annual conference in Manila, Philippines in August, and to meet colleagues from around the world.

“As a professional, my growth throughout this work term has surpassed my expectations. Being in a direct sales role for the first half of my internship, I was faced with tasks such as cold calling and directly approaching prospects. This quickly strengthened my confidence and aided with my next role in corporate partnerships. My time management-yes, time IS money-, goal setting, and personal development strategies were also formed and have ultimately put me in a positive mindset and attitude for any position or personal endeavor moving forward.”

Victoria gained clarity from her internship, an understanding of her professional strengths, and developed those strengths to become more effective. She has a clearer vision of her career path and is more ambitious than ever before.

“Overall, the drive and confidence I’ve developed within this internship has set me further ahead than if I hadn’t participated in the Internship Program, and I will maintain these habits of positive affirmations and goal setting to remain successful in the future.”

As a result, Victoria would recommend the Internship Program “in a heartbeat.” She says that receiving such an opportunity to work for a global organization, travel, become a head of a new strategy for LGFG, and grow as a professional, while still being a student “shows employers that you are ambitious and seek growth.”

Networking is key, according to Victoria, “using the power of LinkedIn to obtain informational interviews is an amazing way to learn about the organization and career you are interested in. Prior to participating in this program, I didn’t know what an informational interview was or that it was even possible. They are not only great for learning about a career but also key in networking and growing your presence with professionals in your industry of interest.

Victoria believes that “It comes down to doing your due diligence in your internship search, conducting informational interviews, being adaptable in your role, and constantly working on your personal development. Actively working on these concepts will put you on track for success in your work term and you will feel the impact moving forward as well,”.

Applications are now being accepted for the Bachelor of Management Internship Program! Visit dal.ca/mcs/internship to learn more!

Why you should write your future reference letter now

January 18, 2017 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

Even though your work term is just getting started, imagine that the end of your term has come. This is often an opportunity to reflect on experiences, evaluate newly developed skills, new relationships, and completed projects. It’s also a time to look forward to the next step of your professional career.

What some students don’t realize, however, is that you will leave an impression on your co-workers and colleagues over the course of your residency. The legacy you leave is something that can benefit you in a number of ways, not the least of which is a positive reference for a future job.

Considering your legacy

Begin the process of building your legacy by writing your own reference letter, highlighting the traits and abilities that you will strive to achieve by the end of your term. This will give you a better understanding of the type of employee you want to become and keep you focused on actually achieving it. This exercise is most effective if you keep the physical cover letter you wrote for yourself visible (taped to your desk or notebook, for example) so that it will provide motivation to achieve your professional development objectives.

Getting down to business

Leaving a positive legacy at your workplace does not have to be dramatic or grand. It can be as simple as assuring that you’ve done your job to the best of your ability. In your letter, plan to demonstrate one or more of the following:

Improvements you made on office process/procedure
Outcomes you exceeded by adding extra value to your projects and assignments
Examples that show your initiative
Proven areas of reliability and a willingness to take on more projects
Ways in which you maintained a great attitude and integrated your personality and strengths into your projects
How you took advantage of opportunities to get involved and made a difference
Your demonstrated effective communication skills and positive relationships built with co-workers and clients

Planning ahead

While these traits will without a doubt help you leave a legacy at your workplace, they are also traits that employers value and look for when hiring. Keep in mind that if a future employer calls one of your references and hears any combination of the traits listed above, you’ve not only proven your legacy to your past employer but also showed that you’re capable of creating a new one with a future employer as well.

How to impress your boss & add value on your residency

January 18, 2017 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

Securing your corporate residency is a great achievement and an important step in your career development. It’s also an excellent opportunity to make a positive impression that can lead to success in the workplace as well as making great professional connections. To make the most out of your residency, consider these tips:

Take time to STUDY

S: Survey your surroundings
T: Take the time to analyze and learn the most important things; company’s strategic plan, goals and objectives, structure, processes, current projects
U: Understand the people: Who are the key resources? Who’s doing what?
D: Do not make hasty decisions; being new means you will not yet understand the current situation, facts, or internal politics
Y: Yes you can! No matter how overwhelmed you feel in your new position –just take a deep breath, remain calm, stay focused, and prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

Clarify ambiguity

Ask questions to understand your role and how you will be evaluated.
Learn the business, in and outside of the area/team you are working.
Be proactive – it’s great to show initiative, but show some restraint. Humility plays as important a role as ambition.

Exhibit professionalism

Consider how you answer the telephone, how you use email, and how you articulate your voice mail greeting
Perform menial tasks with enthusiasm to demonstrate your work ethic does not change depending on the task you are assigned
Show respect for the corporate culture
Become acquainted with colleagues, even those outside your peer group

Consider your first impression

First impressions matter… and they last. Always dress professionally. It is better to overdress then to underdress
Take initiative to ask for more work if you are not busy. Let people know your strengths and your willingness to assist
Be keen. Don’t be the first one to leave at the end of the day. Always remember that even if this is not the job you want for a career, it is a stepping stone for you in terms of your resume, your skills and a reference

Add value

80% of success is attributed to simply showing up and giving 100%. When you commit to a goal, deadline, or say you are going to do something, ensure you meet those expectations
Avoid excuses such as “I have no experience” or “I am a student”. For the duration of your work term, you are an employee of that company and should identify yourself as such
Demonstrate that you are approachable and coachable. Being able to receive constructive feedback and use it to improve is an important skill to have
After one month, take the initiative and request an informal review of your progress
End the day by writing down what expected and unexpected progress you made and what you can do tomorrow

8 must-dos to make the most of your residency

January 17, 2017 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Learn everything you can while you are on your residency. Ask questions of your boss and co-workers; it will show them that you are enthusiastic about learning everything you can about your new position. You are not expected to know everything when you start, and people are usually happy to help.

Be willing to come in early and stay late

Don’t just be on time, be 10 minutes early. At the end of the day, don’t watch the clock and be the first person to hit the exit. Show your boss and co-workers that you have a positive work ethic. Ensure that your work is done and if possible, offer to help a co-worker finish a project so that you can both head out the door.

Dress to impress

You will be judged by your appearance. If you show up to work in casual clothes, and the expectation is formal business attire, you will not evaluated favourably. Model your clothing choices on your boss or supervisor.

Request feedback

Ask for regular updates about your performance. Don’t wait for a scheduled performance review; ask your supervisor for a meeting to discuss how you are doing. That ensures that if you have developed some undesirable habits, you will be aware and able to work on changing them before they become too ingrained.

Take the initiative

Don’t be afraid to ask for more things to do if you are light on work. If your boss is not available to give you more projects, offer to help a co-worker who is struggling to meet a deadline. If you see a more efficient way to do something, suggest it to your boss. There may be a reason it’s not already being done that way, but by making an informed suggestion, you will demonstrate that you are interested and keen to be of service.

Network/build relationships

Use every opportunity that you can to network and make connections. Networking can be done anytime, anyplace, and with anyone. You never know who will be sitting next to you in the lunch room. Make the effort; you never know when it will pay off or how the connections you make during this work term may lead to opportunities in the future.

Make a great impression

There are all kinds of things that you can do to make a great impression during your work term. Start on day one by being authentic, hard-working, interested, and enthusiastic about your new position. Make the most of it!

Leave on a high note

Make sure you’ve met all the obligations and completed all projects. Ensure that your files, contacts, and workspace are all left in an orderly manner so that someone moving into that position can easily pick up where you’ve left off. Don’t leave without making a point of thanking your colleagues for the experience, and leaving the door open for an ongoing connection with your colleagues and the organization. Keep the campsite rule in mind: try to leave the place better than you found it!

To get more ideas on how to make the most of your work term, check out these links.

Student Spotlight: Brenden Donaher

November 1, 2016 Allison Auld Leave a Comment

Brenden Donaher is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student majoring in finance. A great example of how to leverage your work terms, Brenden has successfully secured a job at Scotiabank in Toronto after graduation. Having utilized events and networking opportunities, he tells us about his successful grad job search:

“My first co-op came after attending Management Career Service’s Toronto Corporate Tour, and the connections made with RBC Capital Markets. After applying online for a co-op position, I was able to discuss my involvement in the tour and use those connections to ultimately land the job.

For my second co-op, I was able to leverage connections made throughout my time at RBC, landing a front office position within Sales and Trading at Scotiabank GBM on the Fixed Income Trading desk. After a successful semester, I returned to Scotiabank GBM for my summer co-op where I spent four months in Calgary working on the Commodity Derivatives desk. Both of these experiences led to me securing my post-grad employment with Scotiabank as a member of the Sales & Trading Rotation Program, based out of Toronto.

Through all my work terms, I realized the importance of not only performing well, but also building a strong network. It’s very important for students to get involved in as many events as possible, such as Industry Week, in order to gain the widest possible exposure to their prospective career field. “

Industry Week begins Monday, November 21^st and includes many events such as educational programming on Choosing Your Commerce Major and major-specific information sessions, as well as a Student Panel, where you’ll be able to hear the advice and experiences of some current Dalhousie students, including Brenden. Make sure to sign up on myCareer to secure your place at these great sessions!

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Category: MCS "How To" Guides