By Bird Bouchard
Windsor may be an automotive town, but if you graduate in a STEM field, there’s a lot more to work with than just cars in the city.
St. Clair College in conjunction with local organizations, have put together a one-stop shop for post-secondary students on the verge of graduation.
As a part of National Engineering Month, the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, has developed a workshop to provide students with resources that can be leveraged to find a rewarding career in the modern workforce.
The Career Preparation Event will be held March 7 at St. Clair College’s South Campus, on Talbot Road West, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wayne Riley, an employment consultant in the Career Services office at St. Clair College, said the event will be a great opportunity for engineering students and graduates to connect with local professionals and receive advice from people in the industry.
“We are excited to participate in the Career Preparation Event to share information about St. Clair College’s services to assist students, alumni, and the community with finding employment,” Riley said. “We will be there to provide job seekers information about our on-campus services offered through the Career Services offices, as well as Employment Ontario programs and services for the community offered at our St. Clair College Employment Centres.”
Scott Rivard, Windsor-Essex OACETT Chapter vice-chair, said the idea stemmed from having spoken to several students who expressed concern they didn't know about the employment resources available to them.
“There are lots of job fairs and events that go on throughout the year, but there's nothing that serves as a precursor to that,” said Rivard. “We are arming students with headshots and resume advice and connecting them with the employment services and helping them market themselves. That’s what this event serves to do.”
OACETT has 25,000 members throughout the province across 15 different disciplines and industries. The group serves as the certification body for technicians and technologists and it also advocates on behalf of those professions.
On the agenda are presentations, free headshots, resume advice and one-on-one help sessions. There are also information booths and a panel discussion will be held involving women in STEM discussing challenges and opportunities in the modern workforce.
“The goal is to address the opportunities and challenges facing women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and bringing professionals from the industry to speak to students and have that open dialogue as to what these experienced women have encountered and what they see as opportunities for the future,” Rivard said. “We’re trying to make this as open to everyone as possible.”
Attendees to the presentation and panel portions of the day will be eligible to enter a draw for a paid three-hour career coaching session with Ronna Warsh, valued at $300.
Additional door prizes will be offered throughout the event.
The event is free for all attendees, including parking. Headshots and resume critiquing are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Donations of non-perishable food items are encouraged for local food banks. Each donation will give attendees a ballot to win a door prize.
For more information, check out the event’s Facebook page, found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/201621560980362/