Amy is currently working with the Government of Canada Indigenous and Northern Affairs for her second work term. She previously completed her first work term with Alberta Government Municipal Affairs in April. We caught up with Amy to find out how she prioritized her time to incorporate AWE last year to secure a work term.
Over the last year, what steps did you take to learn about the Career you hope to seek?
I searched up possible job postings relating to the field of study and industry that I am currently interested in. I went on many websites such as government websites and corporate websites to learn about these positions. I also considered job shadow opportunities such as the ones organized by U of A Career Centre in order to learn more about the career I hope to seek in a hands-on approach. I also spoke to professors and booked appointments with career advisors at U of A to seek advice about this area from them.
Last fall you joined AWE, how did you manage your time between school, work and volunteer activities to apply for positions?
I constantly looked up job positions as a study break in between doing readings and completing homework assignments for class. I chose volunteer opportunities that are less time consuming than some other ones. For example, I found a position that only required me to volunteer 2-3 hours per week with minimal team meetings.I did not hold a part-time job while taking a full course load and participating in AWE. But if I were to take a part-time job, I would also choose one with minimal time commitment and preferably with a flexible work schedule to accommodate interviews.
Do you have any recommendations of time management tips that worked best for you in your job search?
My biggest tip is to use the job search engine. For the first time using the job search engine, check off all boxes relating to your experience and what you look for in a job (ex. full-time v.s. part-time job, your field of study etc.). See how many job results you get and work from there. If you did not get a lot of job results, then eliminate a couple of the boxes you checked off to get more job results in the next job search. Take the time to read through the entire job description. Some jobs may not seem to be directly targeting your discipline but will accept applications from students in a slightly different field of study.
What tips do you have for students who will be applying for work experience positions this term?
Take the time to search job postings and apply to as many positions as you can. It seems like a lot of work for now but this will pay off at the end. Have an open mind. Apply to positions that may not seem related to your field of study. The new experience could really give you a different perspective to your career. Talk to your career advisors if you need help. Don't be afraid to ask questions!
