Kwantlen Career Days create success for students

(METRO VANCOUVER, B.C.) Kwantlen Polytechnic University hosted its annual Career Days event at the Surrey and Richmond campuses and attracted over 1,700 intrigued students over two-days. The event not only generated a great turnout, but also thrilled the 65 potential employers who wrestled for the attention of students to fill more than 400 job opportunities available.

“Employers are keen to connect with students. They are attending Career Days to not only hire students but to help educate them on what opportunities are available and assist them with their plans for the future,” commented Bevin Heath Ansley, Kwantlen’s director of co-operative education and career services. “80 per cent of jobs are not advertised, but instead, are found through word of mouth, therefore providing students with opportunities like this is crucial.”

A wide range of industries were represented including banking and accounting, government, trades, and retail. Employers at Career Days were looking to fill not only full-time positions, but also internships, part-time and seasonal positions. Students were engaged in open discussions about education choices, graduate work, salary expectations and general possibilities.

“The best way to find a job is to network, initiate strong working relationships and follow up on contacts,” noted Nicole Poole, Kwantlen career services coordinator. “The more people you talk to and ask questions, the more likely you are to find a job.”

Students were encouraged to keep their ears and eyes open and seek additional networking opportunities. They were also persuaded to think outside the box by locating a variety of employers, connecting with recruiters, and obtaining the company’s human resource contact. This helped students research potential employers and seek out full-time employment as well as internship opportunities.

Kwantlen’s Career Services strives to enrich learning for students and graduates by providing information to help them find part-time, full-time, summer and graduate employment. For more information, visit kwantlen.ca/careers

Kwantlen Polytechnic University brings with it a tradition of providing access pathways for students with different talents and abilities, and opportunities for all who are willing to work hard to realize their goals. Key to Kwantlen’s new mandate is an enhanced capacity to integrate research and external community engagement within a learning environment that places students at the centre of all that the university does.

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For more information about Co-operative Education and Career Services at Kwantlen, contact:
Bevin Heath Ansley
Director, Co-operative Education and Career Services
Tel: 604.599.2013
bevin.heathansley@kwantlen.ca

OR

For more information about Kwantlen, contact:
Peter Chevrier
Director, Marketing & Communications
Tel: 604.599.2286
peter.chevrier@kwantlen.ca