The Loyalist College Career Centre provides a variety of services and resources that support students and alumni in their career exploration, planning, job search and career development. The Centre offers a Career Development Certificate program. The value of the program is well recognized by members of the College faculty, with several now including it in the class curriculum. Students are graduating from Loyalist skilled in their fields and confident in their ability to market those skills and secure employment.
The Career Development Certificate program consists of modules which include career aptitude, interviewing, networking, labour market research, portfolio development, reference letters, professional image and on-line job searching. The students are required to complete three of these modules in addition to the mandatory résumé and cover letter development module to receive the certificate.
“The Career Centre initiated the certificate program for Loyalist students to address their need to strengthen their job search skills,” explained Laura Naumann, Manager of Employment and Career Services. “The program was developed in a module format, enabling students to select the areas they wish to improve upon. The feedback they receive as participants in these segments, and the opportunities to actually rehearse interview scenarios, have produced amazing results. Participants have increased confidence and professionalism which will serve them well whether in search of part-time work as students or full-time employment when they graduate.”
“I have been incorporating the Career Development Certificate into one of my courses for the past two years,” said Janet Leavey, a faculty member in the School of Business and Management Studies. “My students are thrilled to have an opportunity to work with the Career Centre staff to create an up-to-date résumé, cover letter, business card and a powerful elevator speech. But most importantly they design a portfolio that will showcase their knowledge, skills and abilities to employers during their time at the College and upon graduation. These tools provide students with a valuable edge which is key to succeeding in today’s ever-changing workplace.”
Centre for Justice Studies Professor Larry Cook is also a strong advocate of the program. “We added this component to our students’ curriculum so they could draw on the incredible skill package that the Career Centre has to offer. It allows them to fine-tune their interview skills prior to their internships and identify areas they need to improve upon. We have had great feedback from our students who have completed this certification.”
For information regarding the Career Centre services click here or call (613) 969-1913, ext. 2449.
Media Contact: Marilyn Warren, Communications, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2332; e-mail: mwarren@loyalistc.on.ca or Lyndsay Kerik, Employment and Career Advisor, ext. 2438