In today’s ever-evolving job market, the University of Toronto’s Career Centre is a valuable resource for students and recent graduates.
Totally funded by student fees, the centre is located in the Koffler Building on College Street.
The full-time staff and numerous volunteers are dedicated to helping students map out the career path best suited for them.
“That’s what our job is: we’re here for the students,” said Yvonne Rodney, associate director at the Career Centre. Students and recent graduates can access thousands of part-time, summer and full-time work opportunities listed annually.
A personalized, student-centred website, Career Centre Online, allows students 24-hour access to employment listings, volunteer opportunities, online event sign-up and an abundance of information designed to help students understand how to effectively plan for and manage their careers. Last year, 21,353 students and recent graduates registered with the centre. Their website receives over 31,440 hits and 13,428,909 requests each year.
While visiting the CC at the beginning of university is best, the staff are able to help students at any point in their academic career.
For those who have not decided what they would like to do, Rodney and her staff work with them, using a variety of career assessment tools and interest surveys to clarify career goals.
Students can register for workshops such as “Discover Your Skills and Options,” “Now that You’re Graduating—What’s Next” and industry-focused career panels.
Students can book appointments to have their resumes critiqued at the resumé clinic, sign up for practice interviews, and make appointments to discuss career issues with a career counsellor.
Those with a clear idea of what they want can take advantage of resources like the Extern Programme, where they shadow someone who is currently employed in their chosen career.
Vicky Maldonado, a third year Criminology and Political Science major, is doing just that.
She chose the Extern Program to “shadow someone in the industry and see if that’s what I want to do.”
She has also used the resume clinic frequently and regularly visits their website for jobs.
Genie Chung, a fourth-year actuarial science student, has also utilized the resume clinic.
She says the experience has “been useful…I didn’t really know how to write that stuff before.”
Helping students discover their aptitudes and interests—and the important role they play in choosing a career—is a key part of the centre’s mission of career education. Students learn how to conduct a successful job search, how to network, and learn resume building and interview skills. The centre’s slogan, “We’re in your corner,” indicates their location at the corner of College and St. George, but also describes the support and practical advice they have ready to share with students.
