By: Stephanie Taylor-Baptiste
The Employment Support Centre hosted a job fair in the Marketplace Food Court, with numerous employers on hand to inform students about potential part-time jobs or volunteer opportunities available to them.
Algonquin does have its own job-posting portal, MyCareerZone, available through ACSIS, but this fair was a chance for students to speak to potential part-time employers and find out what they are looking for in their candidates.
“It’s a great knowledge and confidence building exercise, which could also turn into a greater opportunity,” said Jennifer Jarvis, Algonquin College’s Employment Outreach officer.
Among those present at the job fair were employers from a wide range of sectors, including fitness with kids, banking, and the Canadian Forces. The employers’ most common feature was flexible work options for students to be able to make some money while in school.
Starr Gymnastics & Fitness was one of the many employers looking for positive and upbeat students, who enjoy working with kids.
“Students would be coaching basic level gymnastics in a fun, non-competitive fitness based gym,” said Shawn Jimmo, vice-president of operations of Starr Gymnastics.
This would-be job is not exclusively for people with a fitness background, but rather more geared towards people who love working with kids.
“We recruit based on talent. You participate in a class. It’s like making a team. You have a tryout first and the best make it,” said Jimmo.
Darlene Deschamps, an Algonquin student who enjoys working with children, said that the job fair “is a great opportunity, especially for people who need jobs. All these employers work around the hours of a student which is great.”
The City of Ottawa was also present to promote their student jobs. The city has many flexible work options and all of their job postings are available online at www.ottawa.ca . Similarly, the Canadian Forces were encouraging students to check out their opportunities at www.forces.ca.
“We offer paid education for college and university. Algonquin College qualifies,” said Glenn Moss of the Air Force.
Business Administration student Caitlin Langlois says she was happy Algonquin was putting this job fair on for the students, and that they featured a wide variety of employers.
“I’m looking for work experience as well as a way to help pay for school,” she said.
Students looking for more resources and information about part-time job and volunteer opportunities available to Algonquin Students can visit MyCareerZone on ACSIS.