The Teaching and Learning Innovation Digest - May 2023

I had the privilege of interviewing Maria,
a graduate from Centennial’s Workplace
Wellness and Health Promotion program
and later the Career Development
Practitioner program at George Brown
College. Maria hopes to secure a full-time
permanent role in higher education. With her
Bachelor of Psychology degree, she would
draw on her previous experience working
as an advisor at a university in Colombia
in transitioning to a permanent role in
Canada. Maria has further developed her
skills and network through a variety of
part-time and contract positions. As an
international student, she credits her field
placements for providing opportunities to learn
about the Canadian workplace and establish
professional connections.
Maria’s experience is not unique. A college
credential is often seen by international
students as the pathway to career opportunities
in Canada. However, Maria contends that the
job market is very competitive, particularly for
newcomers. Despite musings in some circles
that it’s now a seekers market, others argue
that an impending recession signals a more
ambiguous employment landscape. The fact
remains that the job search is daunting for
many of our students. Stuck in a cycle of shortterm,
contract, and precarious employment,
graduates like Maria ultimately hope to secure
employment that offers a livable wage, healthy
working environment, benefits, and
job security.
REIMAGINING
CAREER EDUCATION
Dr. Tracey Lloyd
Director, Career Services and Cooperative Education
Currently, there are approximately 16,000
international students enrolled at Centennial
College, representing about 60 per cent of
the student population. “Immigration and
employment are closely connected”, says
Maria, reminding us of the complexities of
career advising when working with international
students. As we emerge on the other side of a
global pandemic amidst geopolitical disruptions
and economic uncertainty, how do we rethink
our approach to career education?
Would a more intentional and integrated
approach (McMahon and Patton, 2019)
serve to improve employment outcomes for
our students?
Preparing students for the world of work
Career education focuses on equipping
students with the necessary employability and
career development skills. It’s a given that
students need to know what they bring to the
table and how the employment market aligns
with their skillset. They require the necessary
job search tools—a polished resume, interview
skills, and a strong online presence. Given that
most jobs are uncovered through leads
in your personal network, students also
benefit from having established professional
connections. Attesting to the power of
networking, Maria shares how she applied for a
job online with no response. She then reached
out to a former professor who connected her to
an employee at that company. Maria followed
up with the contact who later forwarded her
resume to the hiring manager. Maria was
interviewed and hired. This shows just how
instrumental professors can be in helping
students access employment opportunities.
Employers identify communication,
collaboration, adaptability, and problemsolving
skills, along with an entrepreneurial
mindset, as essential competencies in an everchanging
job market (Social Research and
Demonstration Corporation, 2021). As students
continue to navigate the employment terrain
and build their careers, the ability to leverage
technology, constantly market themselves,
and foresee emerging opportunities presents a
competitive advantage.
Technology is even more prevalent in
our work lives today. Remnants of the
pandemic era including virtual interviews,
online networking events, and remote work
are more commonplace. The ubiquity of
applicant tracking systems, AI features in job
search tools, and social media marketing
trends require more advanced digital
skills. Strengthening these essential career
skills through intentional learning activities
levels the playing field as students will be
better prepared for the job search process and
the world of work.
Embedding career skills throughout the
learning journey
Early engagement in career planning and
job search activities is critical in easing the
transition to meaningful employment.
However, connecting with campus career
services may not be top of mind as students
commence their studies. Students are often
overwhelmed by the transition to college and
as a newcomer, the adjustment to a new city
and culture can be quite challenging, notes
Maria. Some students are balancing school,
work, and family commitments. Participation in
co-curricular activities, however valuable,
are not always feasible. Given that the main
connections for students are likely their
professors, how can faculty intentionally weave
important career skills throughout every course
that is part of the academic program?
In addition to the job search tools, career
skills encompass the competencies that
enable students to thrive in the workplace and
successfully manage their career development
throughout their work lives.
Best practices include:
• Having students conduct virtual and inperson
coffee chats and informational
interviews with alumni and industry
professionals as an assignment.
• Assessing collaboration skills in group
work and highlighting the value of
this activity as an essential career
management competence.
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