Career readiness: the top three attributes students need
Universities must provide students with these three things to help prepare them for their future careers, writes Huron University’s Linea Dacosta
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University offers students an incredible array of benefits. From cultural empathy to critical analysis, university students become better read and better equipped to lead. However, the vast majority of students do not attend school just to explore their academic interests. Rather, they are using the immense benefits of a career-focused university to secure lucrative and meaningful employment.
Global University Systems Canada states that “Practical experience is becoming an indispensable part of university education.” More than 60 per cent of young people engage in activities such as internships before graduation. That means if you want your students to be competitive in the job market post-graduation, they need to look into a university that fosters skill- and experience-building.
The importance of job experience before graduation
“The job market has shifted in that top employers are less inclined to take raw talent and nurture it,” says Matt Bazely, director of entrepreneurship and social innovation at Huron University. “When they interview for a job, young people need to explain things from a skills-based perspective and speak to a relevant project they’ve completed. Students should be encouraged to prototype their career and pursue opportunities for work-related learning.” Universities that provide paid internships and research opportunities empower students to obtain work-related expertise without sacrificing their financial flexibility or academic achievements.
At an institution that prioritises career development, students will not only be kept informed about which paid opportunities are available but will also receive coaching on how to secure them. Wraparound career support includes resume-building, interview coaching, and making connections between the student and their job of choice. Whether your student is interested in doing paid research alongside their professor or a full-time internship at a top financial institution, the right career development team will help them fulfil their goal in a way that works for them.
Networking is critical to students’ upward mobility
The Harvard Business Review shares that networking is no longer a nice to have, but a necessity for students who want to succeed. The platform discusses students’ hesitation to engage in the practice because of a lack of confidence and sense that networking is inauthentic. Simultaneously, the Review’s experts strongly advise students to recognise that who they meet will determine where they work.
Universities can contribute to students’ networking success by offering confidence-building workshops and hosting events designed to connect their campuses with industry leaders. The university can extend the positive impact of building connections by offering formalised mentorship opportunities. Mentorship empowers students to move beyond shaking hands during a meet and greet. Through this staff-supported programming, they will be able to form a deeper, more permanent relationship with a professional in their desired field.
Huron University student Matson Kitamisi took full advantage of Huron’s career readiness opportunities and was able convert a networking opportunity into a job post-graduation. “At Huron, the connections made, tailored programmes that readied me for the job market, and development of critical thinking and research skills fully prepared me to excel in the workplace and land a job.” shares Kitamisi.
Personalised career planning is a powerful tool
Students may know where they want to end up but that doesn’t mean they know how best to get there. Custom career mapping encourages students to feel more engaged with what they are doing. By working with their personal counsellor on their career strategy, students can see how each activity they take part in directly relates to their end goal. Having one-on-one career counselling empowers students to map out each year of their degree through to graduation. Better still, it ensures that your graduate’s portfolio is filled with the academic, community and professional highlights they need to stand out in the applicant pool.
The global landscape has not only shifted the skills required to thrive but it has also raised the bar for what it takes to get hired. The evolution of the career space means students need to keep their options open, be willing to engage with diverse possibilities and begin thoughtful career planning as soon as possible.
“Students likely have some idea as to where they want to go or, at least, what they like and what they don’t,” shares Matt Bazely. “But, how they get from that desire to a tangible course of action is where career counsellors come in. We take that vision and build out a course of action, but students have to be engaged every step of the way.”
When exploring where your students should pursue their degree, look into the professional development support offered on campus. Ensure your students get exceptional in-class experiences paired with career-enriching skills. This combination of intellectual acuity and project-based learning will distinguish them during interviews and prepare them to contribute significant value throughout their careers and realise their dreams.
About Huron University
Established in 1863, Huron is the founding institution of Western University and one of Canada’s oldest universities. Huron is located in London, Ontario, one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, just two hours by train or car from Toronto.
Huron’s distinctive liberal arts, business and ethics-based programmes prepare students for leadership and professional success, while also developing their character. Class sizes are small and taught by tenured professors, and learning is collaborative, with a discussion-based approach. Huron is home to hundreds of international students, and is a national leader in offering merit-based scholarships.
Huron’s affiliation with Western University gives students all the benefits of a supportive, close-knit campus with ample residence space, plus all the amenities one would expect from a world-renowned institution. Being affiliated with one of Canada’s largest and most respected research universities means students are visible and valued at Huron, while having full access to Western’s many clubs, courses and events. Huron students graduate with a Western degree.