University fair helps students navigate career paths

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman on September 24, 2022.

Herald photo by ALEJANDRA PULIDO-GUZMAN Volunteer Lethbridge Uvolunteer coordinator Ali Cyr speaks to students during the U of L Career Fair Thursday at the 1st Choice Savings Centre track.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The University of Lethbridge Career Fair was once again offered as an in-person event Thursday after being offered virtually for the last couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fair gives students and alumni the opportunity to explore career options, build their network and find employment.

“We know that students come to U of L primarily for three reasons and we know this from survey data. One is to prepare for a specific job or career, the other is to get a more fulfilling job than they would if they didn’t attend post-secondary and the other is to apply what they learn to make a positive difference to society into their community,” said Mark Slomp, executive director of student services at the University of Lethbridge.

He said for this reason, the university is keenly focused on helping students achieve those career and professional outcomes through exposing them to potential employers.

“We really try to offer vibrant career fairs that showcase employers from a range of sectors and organizations that have the kinds of opportunities that students are looking for to make a difference in their communities. Today we have 170 people here representing approximately 90 organizations and they’re sharing opportunities with students and recruiting students,” said Slomp.

He said as a result of their efforts to connect students to potential employers, they have a 94.5 per cent employment rate.

“We want to support students in getting work experience that supports work integrated learning or curricular integrated learning programs through Co-op, my studies program, and also to help our students, whether they are alumni or current students, to get some career development support and also connect them to partners as they plan for their graduation,” said Stacey Gaudette-Sharp, academic director, Career Bridge. 

The career fair has been taking place at the university for over 30 years and events and outreach coordinator with Career Bridge, Jason Kirbyson, said it’s one of southern Alberta’s largest professional development events.

“It gets our students ready for their career after education, but really it’s to get students excited about their education.

“We get them confident in their choices, at the end of the four years we want our students being excited with what is next, not wondering what is next,” said Kirbyson.

One of the organizations that has taken part in the career fair for many years is the Lethbridge School Division and human resources coordinator Stacey Wichers said the fair has given the division an opportunity to recruit students from many career paths to get involved with different departments within the school division.

“When people think school division, they think teachers, but we have many positions within the school division and the University of Lethbridge offers a lot of opportunities for us to recruit from different faculties,” said Wichers.

She said the division has benefited from students in the psychology, management and humanities departments throughout the years with some still working within the school division.

But not all recruiting happens for work related positions at the career fair, students also had the opportunity to speak with Volunteer Lethbridge about volunteer opportunities that can help them throughout their school experience and into their future careers.

U-volunteer coordinator, Ali Cyr, said opportunities like the career fair helps Volunteer Lethbridge recruit students by making one-on-one connections.

“It’s nice to be able to talk to the students and explain more than maybe a classroom presentation can do or what they see on the website,” said Cyr.

She said many students inquire about how they can utilize their volunteer experiences for school and counting volunteer hours towards scholarship applications, which Cyr said are both benefits of volunteering.

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