The Glendon Counselling and Career Centre welcomed 15 companies in the Glendon cafeteria at its semi-annual Employment Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
Right and below: Glendon students connect with employers at the semi-annual Glendon Counselling and Career Centre
Employers' booths were staffed by enthusiastic, well-informed representatives who brought handouts providing detailed information about the positions they were offering, as well as useful basics about job search and interviewing techniques.
Financial institutions such as CIBC, Wells Fargo Financial and TD-Canada Trust were seeking bright young graduates, and offering them extensive professional training. CIBC, Optima Communications, Bluesky Personnel, Club Auto Roadside Services and others were also interested in part-time student employees for customer service at their call centres.
Every employer representative, without exception, stated that the number one reason for recruiting at Glendon is the high level of bilingualism that students and graduates possess. It's a qualification they can't train for on the job and it continues to be in great demand. The excellent organizational, communication and critical thinking skills of Glendon students also make them an employer's first choice for many positions.
The Glendon Counselling and Career Centre organizes several other special events throughout the academic year, such as Volunteer Day, Law Day and Psychology Day. The complete list of offerings is available by visiting the centre's Web site at www.glendon.yorku.ca/counselling.
"We continue to work hard to provide students with the help they need for their career and personal concerns", says Pam Broley, director of the Glendon Counselling and Career Centre. As the Glendon representative on York University's Advisory Committee for Persons with Special Needs, Broley has been instrumental in bringing new accessibility improvements to Glendon: the wheelchair ramp leading to the cafeteria entrance, other ramps around the campus, and a new accessible washroom in York Hall. There is also a well-established peer tutoring program organized by the centre for students with learning or other disabilities. Some of their services include study skills and time management training, assistance with note-taking and special arrangements for writing exams.
A new study group program has been received with enthusiasm by the students. "Students register online", says Broley, "and the centre sets up groups of three or four students who attend the same course. We provide a peer tutor to get things started, but from then on the students carry on independently. It has been a real success story."
Another innovation is the centre's online anonymous self-screening program. Students answer an online questionnaire to identify their levels of stress or depression. They don't need to disclose who they are, but are then able to make a confidential personal appointment with a counsellor at the centre if they require further help. Stress reduction/relaxation groups are also available.
"We are here to help our students in a format that defines the essence of Glendon", adds Broley, "the personal, individual attention that only a small campus can offer." For a comprehensive list of services and programs at the Glendon Counselling and Career Centre, click here.
This article was submitted to YFile by Glendon communications officer Marika Kemeny.