Where are you from? What is your background?
I am born and raised in Lethbridge. I have a Bachelor of Arts in General Social Sciences from the U of L, a certificate in Career and Academic Advising from the University of Calgary, and I am currently completing a Master of Counselling Psychology at the U of L.
When did you join the uLethbridge team and what do you do here?
I started at the U of L in 2007 as an undergraduate student. I joined as a staff member in 2012 working as a student recruitment officer in the Enrolment Services Office. After five years I moved into Counselling & Career Services as a Career and Employment Advisor and now I am a Career Coach in the new Career Bridge office. As a Career Coach I help students with all aspects of their career journey, from selecting a program, to writing a killer resume and cover letter, to applying to graduate school.
What is the best part of your job?
I love helping students navigate through the anxieties and pressures of being a university student. Being a student is stressful enough, let alone the added pressure of finding meaningful and fulfilling work after you finish your program. I hope to help students understand that they do not have to do it all at once. Career exploration is a journey. It is about learning through the process. My favorite part of my job is when student leave an appointment feeling confident and ready to take their next step.
Why are you excited about Career month and the work your team does?
I am excited about National Career Month because there are so many wonderful workshops and session taking place for students. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to add to their professional development and get once step closer to their dream job.
What is one piece of advice you would give to students in relation to their career journey?
I would tell students that it is okay to not know what they want to do. Instead of focusing on a job title or a five-year plan, they should focus on self-exploration. Students are often afraid of making the "wrong choice" but there are no mistakes in career development, there are only "right" or "left" choices. Finding out what you don't want to do is just as important as identifying what you love. Start with something that interests you and go from there.