Sprott’s Business Career Management Centre prepares students for today’s jobs and post-pandemic careers
When COVID-19 struck, workplaces had to respond quickly and adapt how their work is done. Now, two years later, these adaptations have influenced the future of work and how to prepare students for tomorrow’s careers.
The team of advisors in the Business Career Management Centre (BCMC) at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business has been helping students develop the skills employers are looking for at this juncture and guiding them in their job search, all while preparing them for what’s next in the post-pandemic future.
Lisa Lawrence, team lead at BCMC, explained that one of the primary skills they’ve been helping students develop is to network virtually – a particularly challenging activity at the best of times.
“Given the current virtual nature of many workplaces and the likelihood of them keeping this aspect post-pandemic, workers are no longer limited by distance,” said Lisa. “We are working to ensure that students know how to network as far and wide as possible, because their next opportunity can come from anywhere around the world.”
BCMC has been organizing networking events for students to develop their skills and connect with professionals. The events have featured professionals from different fields who have shared their career journeys, what their workplaces currently look like and what they believe they may look like after the pandemic.
“Workplaces are certainly heading in a direction where working from home – either partially or completely – will be ingrained in many. Employers are also seeing the benefits of flexible work schedules and hours,” Lisa said. “However, I don’t believe that this is the end of the office. So, one thing we’re hoping students take away, above all others, is how to be flexible when it comes to your work requirements.”
“Many students are exhibiting a desire for a hybrid workplace, and that may be what the future holds. But we want to prepare them to succeed anywhere and everywhere.”
She added that working independently, critical thinking, effective communications and the ability to collaborate successfully are competencies that employers have always valued and will continue to be important in one’s career.
“We want students to master these skills, and be able to adapt them anywhere, because it will help them stand out to employers now and ensure their future success.”
Lisa also said that she had been hearing from employers that they haven’t been getting a lot of applications for their job openings, while students have been communicating difficulty in finding jobs. This “disconnect” has led to an enhanced effort by the BCMC team to show students how to search for jobs, apply to them, and interview for them.
When Kayla Young, a second-year Bachelor of Commerce student at Sprott, was searching for her first co-op placement for this coming summer, her biggest challenge was overcoming the “sheer panic” and “pressure” that interviews brought her. So, she booked an appointment with BCMC to prep for her first interview. They worked with her to help highlight her most relevant skills and experiences – and showed her how to pitch herself as the ideal candidate for the position.
“With the answers I had prepared from those mock interview questions, and other tips I received from BCMC, I was able to go into that interview the next day with added confidence and got a call a few hours after my interview with an offer of employment from the firm,” Kayla said. “I truly don’t think this would have been possible without the amazing support and reassurance I received from BCMC before, during, and after this job-search process.”
“I highly recommend that Sprott students use all the resources available to them from BCMC to help with their job search – whether that’s the various workshops throughout the year, one-on-one interview prep sessions, or resume and cover letter templates and tips – because everyone at BCMC genuinely wants you to succeed and goes the extra mile to help you in any way they can.”
All Sprott Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of International Business students can access BCMC services and support. Students can make an appointment with a BCMC advisor (Lisa, Alanna Allen, or Lenore Gale) through mySuccess and clicking on Career Services (BCMC) appointments. In-person and virtual appointments are available.