Month: February 2021

5 ways to get a head start on your summer job search

DeskIt’s never too early to start planning for the summer! This summer is probably going to look a little different with COVID-19 precautions in place, so it’s a good time to start making a plan for your summer job. There are lots of opportunities out there that can offer a great summer experience or even work related to your area of study.

Here are 5 things you can do NOW to get a head start on finding that great summer job!

1-Update your resume

When was the last time you reviewed your resume? It’s always good to keep it updated and review it regularly to see if there are ways it can be improved. Want some assistance with your resume? The Algonquin College Employment Support Centre has great resources as well as one-to-one appointments (currently virtual) to help you prepare for your job search, applications, interviews, and more.

2-Check your budget and school fees for next school year

No one wants to think or talk about money but this can be a really useful thing to know. Knowing what your future financial needs are going to be can help set criteria for your job search. Need some budgeting help? Financial Aid has tips and a budget template. Other great tools can be found from applications like You Need A Budget (they offer one-year free to College Students), or even in the form of simple templates in Excel or Google docs.

Summer Job Plan

3-Attend AC Career Week (coming up March 1-5, 2021)

This is a great opportunity to build your skills for career readiness and learn how to make yourself stand out in a digital environment. There will also be several opportunities to meet with Alumni and employers from a variety of industries who can answer your questions about recruitment, summer employment, and more. Check out the full schedule and register for sessions today!

4-Check out a variety of job sites

Don’t just stick to the basic google searches or top sites, check out the following sites for a wide variety of summer opportunities!

5-Explore Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) opportunities!

Are you interested in working for the Canadian government? Fill out an application for the varied inventory of positions that come up regularly and get some experience working in the Federal Government. Not only a great experience but an excellent connection to have when seeking employment after graduation!

Now get out there and check those items off your to-do list! Set yourself up for a great summer experience and future employment success!

4 ways to make college friends while distanced

You did it! You made the decision, you applied, you got started with your classes, but now you’re learning from home and wondering how you can get to know other students and connect to make new college friends.

While we can’t meet up together in person like we used to. We are still finding all sorts of ways to connect as a college community.

1. Join clubs and groups

Through the pandemic a variety of Clubs and Groups have been operating and connecting regularly, offering students ways to meet new people, try new activities, and get involved with projects and/or their local communities.

Club and group leaders “are really thinking of different resources that can be attained by different students at different times all around the world” says, Clubs and Communities Coordinator, Sienna Benson. Currently, all active clubs and groups have online components whether it’s Facebook groups, discord servers, or zoom meetings so that they can connect easily no matter what campus they are affiliated with or where they are learning from. Any club or group being created right now will continue to offer their online components even as we return to in-person gatherings which will allow students from all campuses to continue to collaborate and meet.

Current clubs and groups include: Algonquin College Esports, AC Early Learning Society, Tabletop RPG Club, AC Music Club, Algonquin Sustainability Club, Algonquin College Social Group, Leading for Change, Indigenous Youth Health, and The Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour (BIPOC) Student Society.

Check out the full club listing and meet some new friends!

Do you have an idea for a new club or group you’d like to start? Applications are available here!

2. Attend Student’s Association event

Weekly Esports Tournament

Join Algonquin Students in facing off against other colleges in weekly virtual esports tournaments. Hosted through We Got Game! a different game is played each week on a rotating schedule. Upcoming tournaments include Smash Bros, Among Us, FIFA 21 and Fortnite!

Pub Trivia

How is your trivia knowledge? Put it to the test with the Students’ Association monthly Pub Trivia night and prove yourself the ultimate Trivia Champion! Game is hosted live through Zoom at 8pm on the second Tuesday of the month.

The Events Calendar is regularly updated with new events, special speaker series, and themed weeks so be sure to check out the offerings regularly!

3. Check out wellness and equity events

The Wellness and Equity Centre is a safer space, welcoming all students of Algonquin College, no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, disability status, or any other factors. The Wellness and Equity Centre is focused on student well-being, and all the factors that can impact that.

Virtual Drop-In

Chat with peers, ask questions or play games in a relaxed and safe atmosphere, every Tuesday from 2:00pm to 3:00pm

4. Attend student support services events

Whether you’re looking for academic help or other support, interested in social events or activities, or seeking job or volunteer opportunities, you’ll find the information you need through Student Support Services.


Hot Topics

Looking for a welcoming and safe space to have frank discussions and get your questions related to sexuality, sexual health, consent, kink, dating, mental health, and substance use answered by professionals? Sexual Violence Prevention and Harm Reduction Coordinator, Sarah Crawford and Counsellor, Patti Hancock, host Hot Topics bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 6-7pm.

Third Thursdays

A monthly conversation to spark ideas and create community at Algonquin College! Through the winter semester the theme for these sessions is “Explore”. Every month will feature a new neighbourhood in Ottawa to introduce the Algonquin College Community to their neighbours, build community, and support local businesses. The featured shops, spas, boutiques, stores, restaurants, bars, will offer insight into their industry, speak to what makes them unique, and share their experiences as a small business owner.

Check out the full Student Support Services Event Calendar for other workshops, speakers, and events! There are always some exciting things coming up!

So get out there and find your new college best friends! Supports are important especially through tough times and trying out new opportunities that interest you can lead to meeting like-minded people and building lasting friendships!

The 10-minute chat that will help you with your career choice

Career Advising Meet up posterAre you wondering which college program you should choose? Or maybe you are not sure about your program requirements?

You can now book a 10-minute drop in with our college career advisors at Algonquin College and get your answers right away.

The College already offers career counseling, but the idea with the Career Advising drop in is so that students don’t have to wait to have quick questions answered.

“If they’re (Prospect students or students) looking for a specific job in their field or if they want to kind of have some assistance and help figuring out which program to take in the future, or maybe to add on to a current program that they have more targeted learning. Maybe just to learn what courses might be in a program that they’re looking or interested to take, so just helping them navigate the website a little bit more on finding that information,” says Karen Barclay-Matheson, one of the career counsellors at Algonquin College.

Barclay-Matheson notes that the 10-minute chats are a great start, especially for those who have never done any counselling. “It allows us to start the conversation and then give them an idea of what to expect of career counseling because some people hear counseling and they freak out, and so we’re like, ‘No, no, no, this is what it looks like, this is what we would go over’, we give a little bit of a blurb about that.”

After the chat, if the person needs a follow-up, they can to book a regular appointment with our career counselors.

“I think it’s always beneficial to look at your options, because that’s what we’re doing, we’re exploring with them. What are their needs, what has changed, have their career values changed or are they going through a life transition?” says Barclay-Matheson

One of the great benefits of career counseling is being able to look at your options and career values with a professional that has many years of experience in the field and are there to help you make the best decisions regarding your student journey and career path.

“It’s always good to sit down and talk with someone who’s impartial, says Barclay-Matheson.

“It’s one thing to talk to your friends and family. They think you look like a great fire fighter or, ‘Oh, you should be a doctor’, like your parents. What about you? What is it that you need? And just providing information so that they have as much as they can to make a good informed choice.”

The pandemic has made people re-evaluate not only their careers, but also their self-care and this a great time to do so.

The chats happen through Zoom and they are open to prospect students and students. You can book an appointment in our website and the Zoom link is emailed one hour before the chat.