The Teaching and Learning Innovation Digest - May 2023

Career learning activities allow students to
regularly reflect on their unique strengths and
skills, gain a better understanding of industry
trends and employer expectations, and learn
from professionals in the field.
Aligning curriculum with career competencies
and scaffolding career skills throughout
the program would help students develop
the capacity and confidence in working
towards their career goals (Taylor and
Haras, 2020). In cases where there is a
dedicated employment preparation course,
learning objectives can be reinforced in other
courses. As Maria notes, mindset is perhaps
the most important part of the process. In the
job search process, you need to constantly
overcome self-doubt, manage rejection, and
affirm your strengths. Psychological hardiness
(Hirschi, 2012) is therefore an essential career
resource in fostering resilience.
Co-curricular programming presents another
rich opportunity for the integration of career
skills. Promising practices include:
• Sharing employer expectations at
orientation
• Developing employability skills through
advising and co-curricular programs and
services
• Engaging students in some preliminary
career planning and goal setting
• Highlighting on-campus jobs as another
valuable skill development opportunity
Career Services has recently launched the
on-campus employment toolkit to guide
supervisors in articulating transferable skills
in job descriptions, establishing learning
goals, and engaging in meaningful career
conversations with student employees.
In scenarios where faculty and staff need to
address student behaviours, for example those
related to conduct and academic integrity,
applying a career lens is helpful so that
students can assess their actions in relation to
their future career goals.
“To be truly developmental and educative,
it is also critical that the student understand
how [their] behavior affects others and how
engaging in that behavior may affect [their]
future, particularly in the context of career
choice. If the student’s career choice is
unknown, then it is especially important to
help [them] understand that without a specific
career goal, maintaining a positive behavioral
record…is essential to protect [their] future
employment and/or postgraduate opportunities”
(Zdziarski and Wood, 2008).
As influencers of a student’s career
development trajectory, we are all invited to
consider our interactions with students and
connect activities, where possible, to advance
the development of their employability skills.
Aligning institutional culture
We all have an integral role in forwarding
our mission “Educating Students for
Career Success”. Career education
reimagined begins with graduate
employment in mind. Curricular and cocurricular
interventions represent just one
piece of the puzzle. Employers are also key
partners, particularly their critical contributions
to work-integrated learning programs, as we
continue to expand these opportunities for
students. Nonetheless, the integration of career
skills in all facets of the student’s academic
journey will serve to enhance motivation and
encourage persistence. So how can faculty be
supported in facilitating career conversations in
teaching their courses? What learning activities
in and outside of the classroom can help
students develop a deeper understanding of
the workplace and employer expectations?
Improving employment outcomes for our
students entails a shared commitment,
collective effort, and a coordinated approach
across departments and at all levels of the
institution. It also requires a systems thinking
lens and consideration of the contextual
variables that influence career decision-making
and outcomes. On the horizon is the creation
Additional insights from Maria…
• Understand employer expectations, connect
with alumni and industry
• The interview process can seem
intimidating, don’t let the language barrier
stop you
• Find ways to improve conversational skills,
consider joining Toastmasters
• Connect with your own community to help
you feel a sense of belonging
• Job searches are trial and error, use
different strategies to see what works best
• Employment and immigration are tightly
coupled, unrelated jobs often help pay bills
• More work with employers by the College
can help highlight the post graduate work
permit process
of a college-wide Workforce Development and
Employment Strategy which will likely focus
on advocacy and incorporate other tactics,
including how to better engage employers
given the unique strengths and offerings of our
students. Additionally, it will advance the work
with government and also with employers to
overcome bias and better support the hiring
and retention of international students and
those from underrepresented groups. With the
newly formed Industry, Employment and
Community Relations division, partnership
is essential in moving the needle on
graduate employment.
Maria was extremely gracious and excited to
share her story. I was inspired. My hope is
that her experience and the stories from other
students will provide further inspiration and
considerations going forward. You can hear
more from Maria here.
Maria Pugliese
International alumnus
and Project Assistant
with Career Services and
Co-operative Education
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