Career Services Informer

“You’re going to teach English overseas eh? Sounds cool. So what kind of ‘real’ job are you going to do when you get back?”

I hadn’t planned that part yet, but my friend’s comment stung a bit and made me second guess my decision. Maybe he was right. My overseas experience would be a useless footnote in my work history and would put me a couple of years behind my friends on the path to a career, marriage, kids, and the white picket fence. That’s the way it’s supposed to be done, right?

Luckily, I didn’t let the comments and uncertainties sway my decision, and the fact that I didn’t have a concrete plan was one of the best things that could have happened – creating myriad cultural and professional possibilities. In the span of five years my working path zigzagged to Japan-Australia-Canada- Japan-Canada. My one year plan of working overseas quickly turned into five and taught me these five important skills:

1. When In Rome – Working overseas develops your coping and adaptability skills on a daily basis. Whether it is teaching in flip flops and shorts near the beach in Australia, or routinely sitting through 3 hour meetings in Japan, learning to adjust to different work environments is essential. You have to adapt to the system, it won’t adapt to you.
2. The Global Village – Effective intercultural communication skills are important in a workforce that is increasingly multicultural. I developed an appreciation for the lengthy meetings in Japan where relationships are centered on group harmony. These skills have been invaluable to me in developing and maintaining positive working relationships with different personalities and backgrounds.
3. How do I get out of this one? – Living and working overseas is a great test for your problem solving skills. Trying to sign up for a cell phone in a country where you have a minimal grasp of the native language could lead to a three hour ordeal with endless paperwork and have you questioning what you actually signed up for. Being able to solve problems effectively is a part of any job, and it is a skill that is quickly developed and refined overseas on a daily basis.
4. The yoga approach – Flexibility is a valuable commodity in virtually all workplaces and working overseas will force even the most rigid personality to stretch and go with the flow when required.
5. A dynamic resume – The transferable skills that are obtained working overseas should not be underestimated and should be highlighted throughout your resume along with your technical skills. Your experiences can also be great for interview stories. I’ve had employers ask me questions about my overseas experience in both teaching and non teaching interviews and may help separate you from the pack and land that coveted position.

Working overseas provided some of the most enriching and memorable experiences of my life which positively impacted my career path. People can expect to change their careers many times during their life, and the ability to successfully adapt is no longer a useful skill, it’s a necessary one. Working overseas provides a core course in adaptability and flexibility. Here are some useful links to get your voyage started!!

http://students.sfu.ca/international/index.html
http://www.workingoverseas.com/
http://www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/en/jet/overview.htm
http://www.footprintsrecruiting.com/
http://www.canuckabroad.com/overseasjobs/overseas-jobs.html
http://www.rileyguide.com/internat.html

Greig Baird (Practicum student for SFU’s Career Development Practitioner Program)

In the words of St. Augustine: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page”.

Interested in turning to the next page??? Join us to learn about Travel, Work and Volunteer abroad programs.

Date: Tue, Oct 13

Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Location: MBC 0300 – Group Room 1, SFU Burnaby

Ever thought about travelling abroad and going international but not too sure how to get started? Always heard about other students going on student exchanges, working in other countries, or volunteering out in the world, and want to experience it for yourself? SFU International, International Co-op, and Career Services will host the 2009 Think International Fair and offer you a chance to go beyond your borders.

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It could seem like a shot in the dark, but I grew up with my mother always telling me. “If you don’t ask, you can’t get a ‘No’”.  So I’ve asked; or rather I’ve applied.

I’m referring to the Greatest Job in the World.  It is the chance to be an Island Caretaker of Hamilton Island in Queensland, Australia; and despite the rumors of it all being just a publicity hoax, I still applied.  I did everything you shouldn’t do in a job application – I didn’t review my application; I didn’t take the time to really make it special or to figure out how to make it stand out in a crowd; and I left it until the very last minute.  I did all the application no-no’s and was facing the stiffest competition for a job I would ever be a part of.

I would be up against over 30,000+ other applicants, yet the thing that really made me nervous was the video application.  I hate having my photo taken, and even worse is seeing myself on film, so I had to just get over that at first; although I would never recommend this to any one else, I never reviewed my video (this is how much I hate seeing myself on film).  The next hurdle was trying to show why I was qualified for their position, while being creative and memorable at the same time.  Unfortunately I was limited to only 60 seconds, which I thought was a lot of time, until my camera kept turning off half way through what I wanted to say.  I had thought of so many things to say, ways to show I was interested in the job and had related experience, things to demonstrate that I’d be unique and that I wasn’t like the other thirty thousand people.  So I did what I could, and after I finished recording it, I had no recollection of what I had even said. (more…)

Ever wondered about Communication Co-op? Communication Co-op is having an Open House event where students can drop in and meet the Communication Co-op staff. Current Co-op students will also be around to chat about their own work experiences and answer any candid questions you may have about why Co-op is a great opportunity for gaining experience and transferable skills. The Open House is a FREE event to all students interested in learning more about this Co-op program. Come eat some pizza and learn more about how you can get involved!

Communication Co-op Open House

When?  Thursday March 26th

Time?  11:00am – 1:00pm

Where? Outside the School of Communication General Office K9671

Teaching overseas is a viable option for many students and new grads, and it offers many benefits.

Is teaching overseas an option for you? If it is, you will NOT want to miss the Education Fair at SFU Surrey this weekend. This teaching-overseas education fair brings 17 different organizations, representing every continent but Antarctica, to campus. They will be here to recruit students and new grads with Bachelors degrees and/or teaching certificates.

Date: Saturday, Jan 24
Time: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Grand Hall, Surrey Campus

Information: www.sfu.ca/career/EdFair.html for a list of the companies that will be present at the fair!

Enter to win a $100 Visa gift card for your travels when you attend!

This just might be your ticket to that international dream teaching job!

Dear Valued Readers,

At this time we have been experiencing some technical difficulties, until we solve the issues we will not be sending out a biweekly e-vite or submitting new blog posts regularly. Your patience is greatly appreciated!

Brenda Badgero
CSI Editor

With Travel Cuts located at SFU’s Burnaby campus, it’s hard not to notice the advertisements for flight deals to destinations around the world. But, while you debate about a quick vacation escape, why not try something a little different? You could find yourself embarking on a journey that brings you home with oodles of pictures, a flavor for international food and a new addition to your resume.

The benefits of this type of travel are far-reaching. The opportunities allow students to gain experience, immerse themselves in a different culture and make contacts, whether they are friends or future employers.

You’ll find out what options are available for students interested in saying goodbye to Canada and hello to adventure as the Burnaby campus gears up for the annual International Opportunities Fair happening Tuesday, September 16th from 10:00am – 3:30pm in Convo Mall. The event provides students a place where they can explore numerous international work, study and volunteer opportunities.

Find out more information and register online at www.sfu.ca/intlopfair!

If the idea of combining travel with an overseas job sounds attractive, we may be able to help. The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) is an extremely wide-spread non-profit organization.  Located in over 80 countries, it is an independent, non-governmental enterprise, with consultative relationships to UNESCO, UN Economic and Social council, UN Industrial Development Organization, the ILO, and other bodies.  Initiated in London in 1948, Canada joined IAESTE as a full member in 1953.

Our aims are:

• To provide Canadian students with the opportunity to combine travel with a career-related job overseas.
• To provide employers with well-qualified and motivated trainees.
• To be a source of cultural enrichment for participants and their host communities.

Students currently enrolled in a full-time program at a Canadian university or college, leading to a degree or diploma in engineering, technical sciences or technologies, and who are not more than 35 years of age, are eligible to apply through IAESTE Canada.  Most positions are best suited to those who have completed at least 3 years of post-secondary study.  English is the working language of IAESTE internationally, although a few employers will ask for knowledge of a second language.

Detailed information, and application forms are available on IAESTE’s website www.queensu.ca/iaeste or by contacting the office at 613-533-2030.  Application deadline for the 2009 Exchange is December 10, 2008.

For years, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has organized and funded international internship opportunities that allow this country’s youth to work, travel, learn, live, and experience the developing world. Currently, there are several – we’re talking dozens – personal and professional development opportunities in nearly 100 countries around the world. From Laos to Zambia to Ecuador there are internship positions available for Canadian youth to create capacity for journalism, human rights, health promotion, and environmental sustainability.

So, if you’re a university graduate between the age of 19-30 and you’re looking for an experience that combines adventure with making a meaningful contribution to your global community, look no further. And if that isn’t enough incentive, your sponsorship organization here in Canada (for example, the Canadian Bar Association sponsors the position in Laos) will help you find employment once your internship has finished.

 In a myriad of ways, this is a great experience. Trust me. I worked with a whole bunch of CIDA interns when I was consulting on a youth employment conference in Rwanda. Speaking from my own adventure, if you do pursue this career path – and I strongly recommend that you at least entertain the idea – just remember that the journey of international development is a two way street. I was struck by the broken, un-maintained infrastructure that I encountered around the Rwandan countryside. There were Landrovers abandoned on the side of the road, contaminated wells with broken, rusted pumps and an endless crowd of sick people who had been helped with what ailed them, but only temporarily. And here is where capacity comes in. Whether you’re an engineer or a health professional or an up-and-coming-lawyer or a journalist, take it upon yourself to do whatever you can to ensure that the skills and ideas that you bring to your new, eight-month home can be learned and applied and carried on by the people you meet. Create a legacy. Provide the tools for a future and the direction so that it can be picked up and delivered by the people who live there. Because you might be the last CIDA intern to visit the town. Like I said, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, folks.

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Apply today to become a participant in the United Nations Professional Placement Programme (UNPP). The UNPP Programme provides the avenue through which you can participate in the UN and in its work to maintain international peace and security by lending its support to programmes which promote and respect both human rights and sustainable development. 

 

Participation benefits include:

 

●        Provide access to coveted UN placements through UNA-Canada’s established international UN network

●        Provide in-the-field skill acquisition and networking opportunities

●        Provide greater practical insight into the most vexing challenges that confront nations today, notably in regard to poverty elimination, environmental protection, governance, human rights and post conflict reconstruction

●        Acquiring skills related to diplomacy, problem analysis, management operations and cross-cultural communication

●        Opportunity of working, living and interacting with peoples from around the world in sharing ideas and views and acquiring cross-cultural understanding and sensitivity

●        Opportunity to gain a new language, or improve existing language skills

●        Launch or enhance a career related to international issues in Canada or overseas

 

Who is eligible?

 

Seeking applicants who are:

·         Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada

·         Possess a post-secondary degree

·         Able to demonstrate an interest in international affairs/development, and particularly in the United Nations and UN-related issue (more…)

Are you an international student at Simon Fraser University? Are you excited to learn about current as well as post-graduate employment opportunities here in Canada? Do you like ice cream? Over the next few weeks, Career Services and SFU International are working together to provide some exciting events and workshops for international students who want to learn more about their Canadian Careers.

On Wednesday, May 28 from 1-4pm in the MBC Atrium (next to Mr. Sub and Bubble World) the Career Services team will be handing out ice cream sandwiches and employment advice to international students. If you have time for a casual conversation about career development in Canada, please stop by to speak with SFU’s employment experts. Ice cream is in limited supply, so make sure to show up early and bring a friend.

The Canadian Work Search Readiness Series heats up this summer! If you want to excel as a member of Canada’s workforce be sure to check out a workshop that has it all. Getting Started on Your Canadian Work Search will combine overviews of work search strategies, best practices for cover letters and resumes and tips for successful interviews with stories of personal experience from SFU alumni who are currently employed in Canada.

So, if you are interested in finding a meaningful job in Canada during school or after graduation, stop by the Career Services office on June 3, from 2:30-4pm. Email john_horn@sfu.ca or call 778 782 3106 for more information.

Attention international students!!!  Your transition from school to the Canadian workplace just got a little easier and a lot more flexible.

On Monday, April 21 the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, announced significant changes to Canada’s policies surrounding work permits for international students. For the teams in Career Services and SFU International, this is really big news. Work permits still must be applied for and secured within 90 days of graduation; however, they will now be extended for three years and students do not have to have a job offer on the table in order to receive permission to work legally in Canada. Furthermore, a more flexible approach will be applied to the employment opportunities themselves, as graduates will not be required to immediately find a job that is directly related to their field of study.

“The Government of Canada wants more foreign students to choose Canada and we want to help them succeed,” said Minister Finley. “Open and longer work permits provide international students with more opportunities for Canadian work experience and skill development. This will, in turn, help make Canada a destination of choice, and help us keep international students already studying in Canada.”

But, for international students at SFU, what does this really mean? Check out some of these numbers. Currently, there is approximately a 600 000 person backlog of applications to live, study and work in Canada. When it comes to immigration in general, changes need to be made, especially since several experts are suggesting that, by 2012, immigrants will account for all net growth of the Canadian economy. And last year Canada broke records for accepting temporary and permanent residents into the country. This most recent change will undoubtedly create a myriad of possibilities for SFU’s international student population, but students should also be aware of the existing limitations in the country’s immigration policies, even in spite of these groundbreaking changes.

Are you an international student at SFU? Check out the Canadian Work Search Readiness Series and stop by during the International Ice Cream Social this summer to learn more about your employment future in Canada!

Interested in more information, drop by Career Services in MBC 0300 or SFU International in MBC 1200 or visit their websites at www.sfu.ca/careerservices or www.sfu.ca/international

 

 

 

Since 1997, the Coady International Institute’s Youth In Partnership Program has given recent Canadian university graduates experience working with development organizations in their area of expertise, to help them increase their understanding of development issues and participate in their roles as global citizens. The program is also aimed at providing experience that will improve participants’ employment opportunities when they return from their internship.
The interns work for six-months with one of the Coady International Institute’s partners in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Interns who go to Rwanda and Botswana are placed with Xtending Hope partner NGOs whose work focuses on issues related to HIV and AIDS. This year, 6 of 14 internships will be in these two countries.

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DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society (DCRS) has been serving the needs of immigrants for over 29 years, with over 30,000 client contacts per year.  Its mission is to promote the independence of immigrants and to build strong culturally diverse communities.
DRCS is seeking volunteers for two of its programs; the Buddy/Youth Program and the After School Hours Program.

With the Buddy/Youth Program you will be working one-on-one with a new immigrant youth for 2 – 4 hours once per week.  You will help your buddy settle and adapt to his/her new community and assist them with English conversation skills.  If you are interested in volunteering with this program, please contact Harroop Sandu via phone at 604-597-0205 ext 1229 or via email at hsandhu@dcrs.ca.

The After School Hours Program supports immigrant and refugee children between the ages of 6-12, addressing academic, social, and emotional needs through various activities.  If you are interested in volunteering with this program, please contact Mandy Atwal via phone at 604-597-0205 ext 1323 or via email at spal@dcrs.ca.

Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education is a non-profit, non-governmental organization engaged in human rights education (HRE) programs in Canada and around the globe.  Four internship opportunties are available.  Over our 41-year history, our programs have assisted thousands of individuals, civil society organizations and government institutions to participate effectively in human rights debates, to challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices, and advance important policy and legislative reforms that enhance the promotion, protection and respect for human rights.

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Ever dreamt of starting your own business be it selling simple items at a stand or renting a physical space to display items? Well, businesses comes in many forms but the first step is deciding if being your own business owner is right for you.  The 3 panelists at the Starting Your Own Business workshop offered at Career Services SFU included Cody Watson, SFU 4th year business student, Aaron Cruikshank, Friuch Consulting and SFU alumni, and Parminder Parhar, Renaissance Coffee Shop Owner, gave us some important hints do you have the time (owning a business requires a lot of time)? Do you have an appetite for risk? Can you handle rejection (possibly 80% of the time)?        (more…)

… an India-based business conglomerate operating under the motto, “Improving the Quality of Life.” And it indeed takes a catchphrase as broad as this to sum up such an expansive enterprise. Spanning 98 operating companies in seven business sectors, Tata has become known internationally for generating profit in seemingly any industry it touches. Tea, automobiles, hotels: Tata has its hand in them all and more. What does this mean for students at SFU? The Indian business giant is looking for 200 new interns in 2008. If you are looking for experience in information systems and communications, engineering, materials, services, energy, consumer products or chemicals, then you will want to attend the Tata Information Session this upcoming Thursday @ 4:00 pm*.  (*Note: please confirm actual start time early next week on the Career Services Website!)   RSVP here!                                                                                                                                   

To grasp the immensity of the Tata phenomenon, consider the following headlines pulled from recent news periodicals around the world: “Tata Consultancy Services wins ICSI National Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance 2007,” “Supercomputer developed by Tata group ranked 4th fastest in the world and fastest in Asia,” or “Tata Sky has Become Millionaire in Less Than One Year.” Since it was founded by Jamsetji Tata as a nation building corporation in the mid 1800s, Tata has become expanded tremendously. Today, the Tata group operates in over 85 countries across 6 continents. Moreover, after adding 20,000 employees from 53 different nationalities in 2007, the group is seeking an additional 30,500, with over 9,000 positions being reserved for students.

Wanting to set yourself apart from the everyday undergraduate, heading into an interview? Having international experience shows that you are independent, mature and willing to go beyond your comfort zone to accomplish your goals. Consider working for Tata as a means of gaining invaluable skills, exposing yourself to an exciting, fast-paced working environment and broadening your cultural knowledge. Visit the IRMACS theatre (ASB 10900) this Thursday, January 31st at 4pm* for pizza, followed by a Q&A with a Tata representative at 4:30pm. Let your career take flight!

New on campus and want to build friendships?
Want to gain experience related to your career goal?
Would you like to develop your leadership abilities?
Do you need to enhance your fundraising, marketing,event planning, teamwork and many other skills?  

Involvement with SFU Student clubs give you a chance to:

… meet like-minded individuals related to your religion, culture or personal interests (guitar,drawing,social awareness,food …)
… ignite your entrepreneurial or investment spirit;
… seek assistance with international exchanges;
… enhance your physical health through yoga, salsa, swing or hip-hop dancing;
… develop your networking, public speaking and overall communication skills;
… and most important have FUN!

Check it out TODAY, Wednesday or Thursday!!

SFSS Clubs Days Spring
Dates:  January 15-16-17, 2008
Location: North AQ Area
Time: 10:00 am to about 3:30 pm

* The entire list of CLUB NAMES, mandates and contacts, can be found by visiting: 

 http://www.sfss.ca/clubs/index.php OR http://www.sfu.ca/ulife/GetInvolved/Clubs.html

If you weren’t fortunate enough to join Alice Seddon and Long Nguyen of the U.S. Consultate General Vancouver on November 15th, related to information and resources on Working and Studying in the U.S….. view the below webcast OR click HERE to link to their Presentation and Questions & Answers!