Grads find that all-important first job through UTM’s Recent Graduate Opportunities Program
Alex Court, a 2018 UTM commerce graduate, is happily immersed in his second year-long contract with Special Olympics Ontario, enjoying his recent promotion to visual content/marketing officer.
“I’ve learned so much, and it’s a great opportunity, but I wouldn’t have applied without encouragement from the UTM Career Centre,” Court says. “I didn’t think I had all the skills.”
To his Special Olympics supervisor, Jasmina Vranesevic, a full complement of skills wasn’t nearly as important as the willingness to learn.
“Alex came very prepared, with a portfolio of material,” she says. “The work he brought to the table showed us that he was willing to take on challenges and it was important for us to see this from a recent graduate.”
Court jumped into his new position with enthusiasm. The fact that he brought marketing skills to the table, but no graphics experience didn’t intimidate him. Soon, he was creating branding guidelines, marketing materials and social media content for the organization’s Youth Games.
“There was a huge learning curve, but they were so open to me learning on the fly,” he says. “I learned so much, and it has been a great opportunity.”
Great opportunities like this are the focus of the Recent Graduate Opportunities Program at the UTM Career Centre. Created in 2018 with the help of a Career Ready Fund provincial grant, it worked so well that the centre’s administrators decided to continue it in 2019.
“The students must complete course modules that prepare them for the job search, such as learning to tailor their resumes, interviewing and job search techniques,” says Anne Gaiger, assistant director of the Career Centre. “Meanwhile, we leverage our employer network and prepare career books filled with the resumes of recent graduates, working with these employers to place students.”
Gaiger says students don’t always recognize how their classroom skills apply to existing jobs, may have trouble articulating their skills or may not realize that they can acquire some of the necessary job skills quickly.
“Recent Graduate Opportunities Program helps students acquire the skills that are foundational to a job search,” she says, “and by turning it into a program, it helps them be more focused about doing so.”
In addition to the course modules and interview assistance, there is a closed Facebook group for program members that offers job tips and postings.
Felicity Morgan, director of the UTM Career Centre, says, “We’re aware that getting that first job can be challenging for a new graduate. Our staff members are working closely with students and employers to help bridge that gap and make some good matches.
“We’ve been really pleased with the employer response. They are interested and want to hire grads.”
Vranesevic is a perfect example.
“To be honest, I love to work with recent graduates and try to provide these opportunities, whether they are short-term or long-term,” she says. “Young, sharp minds keep us on our toes and their willingness to learn opens doors.”
The Recent Graduate Opportunities Program is available to all UTM graduating students and to alumni within two years of graduation.