workbook 2012-2013
Goal: To Succeed! 2012-2013 Produced by the Co-operative Education Programs of the University of Ottawa 100 Thomas More, 4 th floor Ottawa ON K1N 6N5 Telephone: 613.562.5741 E-mail: coop@uottawa.ca Web site: www.coop.uottawa.ca No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the University of Ottawa. This guide includes a number of links to various online resources, which were valid at the time of printing. Since links are often modified, we invite our readers to consult our online version for the latest URL updates.
WORKSHOP OUTLINE INTRODUCTION... 2 WORKSHOP LEADER... 2 WORKSHOP GUIDELINES... 2 AGENDA... 2 ICE BREAKER... 2 REFLECTIONS: FEELINGS ACTIVITY... 3 ACTIVITY: THINK-PAIR-SHARE... 3 FAQS AND DISCUSSION... 4 THE F.R.E.D. TECHNIQUE... 5 ACTIVITY: GOAL: TO SUCCEED!... 6 STUDENTS STORIES... 7 INTERVIEW RESPONSE... 11 CAREER DEVELOPMENT... 12 RESUMÉ REVIEW... 13 CONCLUSION... 13 University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 1
INTRODUCTION WORKSHOP LEADER Professional Development Specialist WORKSHOP GUIDELINES Arrive on time Sign the attendance sheet Play an active role Respect others AGENDA Reflect upon feelings FAQs and discussion The F.R.E.D. technique Learn from senior CO-OP student experiences Develop response strategy to a tricky interview question Clarify your career path and develop your marketable skills Review and update resumé ICE BREAKER Helps us get to know each other University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 2
REFLECTIONS: FEELINGS ACTIVITY Purpose: To have you think about how it felt to not be placed for your first work term. Rationale: Reflecting on why you were not placed can help you better understand yourself and what motivates you, as well as prepare you for the next placement process. ACTIVITY: THINK-PAIR-SHARE Part 1 Individually Spend time thinking about how you felt when in the end, you were not placed in your first work term. Part 2 Pair up with person next to you Discuss your thoughts. Part 3 Be prepared to share with the larger group University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 3
FAQs AND DISCUSSION Purpose: To consider and discuss commonly asked questions. Rationale: Discussing possible answers helps to clarify the situation and help you feel more confident. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: How come I wasn t placed? Is it me? How will this affect me later? In future placement processes? Will I be withdrawn from CO-OP? Can I still graduate with the CO-OP mention? Will this affect my CGPA? What if I don t get placed next time either? University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 4
THE F.R.E.D. TECHNIQUE The F.R.E.D. technique helps us analyze a situation, reflect upon it, discover ways of improving for the future, and make decisions based on these reflections. Part 1 Individually Consider the following and note your reflections: Facts: What facts, if any, do you remember that may have contributed to you not finding a placement? What is the truth of the situation? Reflections: How did you feel about not finding a placement? What has been your greatest insight? Evaluations: Were there elements you could have changed? What was not in your control? What was? What, if anything, have you learned? Decisions: How will this situation and subsequent events affect future decisions/behaviours, if at all? Part 2 Share your thoughts with the larger group Your thoughts and reflections: University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 5
ACTIVITY: GOAL: TO SUCCEED! Purpose: To learn from senior CO-OP students who were not matched in their first work term but continued with the CO-OP program. Rationale: Learning about the challenges and achievements of senior students can provide motivation and tips for success. Part 1 Individually Read the Goal: To Succeed! feedback provided by senior CO-OP students. Note your thoughts and ideas based on what you have read and how it relates to your personal experience. Part 2 As a larger group Be prepared to discuss your thoughts and ideas. University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 6
STUDENTS STORIES 1. Tell us about yourself Program of study: BSc Honours in Biology Work terms (job title and organization): Math and Science Tutor at Centennial College (in Toronto); Junior Analyst at Environment Canada What work have you done and what have you enjoyed most? I helped students at Centennial College with their chemistry, biology, anatomy and math courses. At Environment Canada, I analyzed information from ecotoxicological studies and entered laboratory ecotoxicity data into a database. I really enjoyed working with some of the students at Centennial College, especially when I could see that the tutoring service was helping them. Challenges and achievements What challenges did you face in getting your first work term? I found the interviews challenging because I was nervous and had trouble communicating well orally. How did you overcome these challenges? Going to several interviews was good practice. Also, I tried to have a positive attitude and to be myself. What did you gain or learn? I learned not to expect perfection in myself and not to focus on small mistakes during interviews, all of which helped me gain confidence. Tips and advice What tips or advice would you pass on? The CO-OP program is very helpful in finding a job: you send one résumé to everyone, jobs are posted in the COOP Navigator, and students can get extra help, with résumés and mock interviews. The deadlines that are set are also useful because you go through the whole process of finding a job even when you are busy with school work. My advice is to stay in CO-OP as long as you are allowed to. 2. Tell us about yourself Program of study: Bachelor of Applied Science, Software Engineering Work terms (job title and organization): Junior Software Developer with NAV Canada What work have you done and what have you enjoyed most? I'm studying in software engineering. I completed my first work term with NAV Canada as a Junior Software Developer. I enjoyed being a junior developer because it gave me the opportunity to experience the development process of a largescale real-time system. Also this position was closely related to my program of studies. University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 7
Challenges and achievements What challenges did you face in getting your first work term? How did you overcome these challenges? What did you gain or learn? Missing the first work term was not a pleasant experience. The biggest challenge was competing with third- and fourth-year students for the same jobs. I also realized that lack of work experience can be a problem during the interviews. Other things that can affect the outcome is your overall average (CGPA), your résumé and your interview skills. The best decision I made after missing the first work term was not giving up. I also learned that it is more difficult to find a CO-OP placement for the summer term than for the other terms. Tips and advice What tips or advice would you pass on? I suggest updating your résumé regularly and using a professional format. Understand what the employers are asking and try to integrate those qualifications if you have them into your résumé. This will help you get more interviews. The CO-OP Office offers great help with your résumé: try to follow their advice. Also try to find what skills need improvement and work on them. Finally, apply for as many jobs as possible. 3. Tell us about yourself I am going into my fourth year of studies in international development at the University of Ottawa. Although I was not placed for my first work term, I ve just finished a four month placement at CIDA working as an information analyst in the Policy Branch under the branch management services division. While I really enjoyed my placement, at an agency that is one of particular relevance to my program of study, my position and work were not development related. I hope my future placements will be geared more towards my studies. Challenges and achievements What challenges did you face in getting your first work term? I was lacking experience and confidence: during my interviews, I did not feel confident enough to think that I was the best candidate for the positions. How did you overcome these challenges? Practice and mock interviews help a lot. I prepared questions ahead of time and re-worked my résumé. By going to interviews and not succeeding, I learned from my mistakes. What did you gain or learn? I learned that, more than anything else, it is how you present yourself that makes a difference in getting a position or not. Tips and advice What tips or advice would you pass on? University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 8
As difficult as CO-OP is sometimes, nothing is as valuable as having work experience once you graduate. It puts you ahead of your peers in the job market even if you graduate a little later than they do. Networking and meeting people are key, so stick with it if you can! 4. Tell us about yourself Program of study: English Work term (job title and organization): Editorial Assistant, Ottawa Magazine What work have you done and what have you enjoyed most? I reviewed and fact-checked articles, conducted research for articles by telephone and Internet, attended weekly production meetings, visited archive centres to collect photographs, and wrote some short articles. Of all my responsibilities, I enjoyed writing and having my work published the most. This job has created a lot of opportunities for me. Challenges and achievements What challenges did you face in getting your first work term? I had a hard time finding a placement because I had no work experience related to any of the jobs posted. How did you overcome these challenges? I found an unpaid placement, where I was able to build the skills and gain the experience I needed to find a paid work placement. What did you gain or learn? I gained a lot of skills and valuable experience. Tips and advice What tips or advice would you pass on? It s a good idea to get some kind of work-related experience before entering your first placement process, even if it is unpaid. 5. Tell us about yourself Program of study: Sociology I am a third-year Sociology student. I joined the CO-OP program during my second year of studies and, like you, I was unable to find a CO-OP placement for my first summer work term. However, I stayed in the CO-OP program and was able to secure a term in the winter of 2006 as a Public Opinion Research Assistant for Human Resources and Social Development Canada. During my term, I had the opportunity to work with an excellent supervisor, who also had a degree in sociology. Working with her was an asset to my career development as she always made sure that my assignments were related to my studies. Before enrolling in the CO-OP program, most of my work experience was in fast food and the voluntary sector. One of the reasons why I joined the program was to see how my academic skills could be applied in the workplace. University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 9
With these goals in mind, I decided to participate in the placement process. During the first and second rounds of my first work term, I applied for a total of 30 jobs. By the end of both rounds, I was able to secure only one interview. After the interview was over, it was important for me to find out how I did and how I ranked in comparison to the other candidates. My professional development coordinator told me that I was ranked third out of five candidates. Since there were two positions offered with this employer, I knew I was close to getting the job and this gave me confidence to continue with the program. To address some of the problems I was having with the CO-OP process, I went to my professional development coordinator for a résumé review. Together we discovered that the most useful of my skills were buried too deep within my résumé. After rewriting my résumé based on the CO-OP Office s suggestions, I took part in the placement process again in the winter 2006 session. My chances of getting interviews began to improve and I secured a total of three interviews. During the first two interviews, I performed well, but still wasn t able to be ranked No. 1. I consulted my professional development coordinator one last time for a mock interview in preparation for my last meeting which took place during the final day of the winter placement period. As a result of the mock interview, I was able to answer the questions presented in the real interview with confidence, and went away feeling that I did my best. As it turned out, this was reflected in the results as I was ranked No. 1. As I prepare for my fall 2006 work term, I have had three interviews in the first round alone. Without the services offered by the CO-OP Office, it is safe to say that I would not have gotten my first placement. The best advice I can offer each of you is to make use of these valuable CO-OP services. If you re not getting interviews, take advantage of résumé reviews. If you re having trouble answering interview questions, ask for a mock interview. Believe me, it helps! Remember, just because you were unable to get a placement for the summer doesn t mean that you won t get one at all. If you think about it, during the summer, you are competing against FSWEP students as well as students from other universities. In the fall and winter terms, this becomes less of an issue. The most important thing to remember is, don t give up! 6. Tell us about yourself It is true that I missed the first work term and that I was lucky to get a job at Zarlink. I gave up on CO-OP thinking I won t get a job because it was the end of the second round of my second term. But then the phone rang and I was told I had a job at Zarlink without being interviewed at all. That was a big step. I mastered my skills in LabVIEW programming and thanks to that I got a job at NRC in my third CO-OP work term. I wanted to say that a résumé is really important. Because of the sentence As a professional soccer player played for several clubs and won the Vojvodina League Championship without losing a single game in 1999, I got a job. So it is good to have an interesting résumé, meaning to have things which will catch the eyes of managers. 7. Tell us about yourself The interview process was totally new to me and I did not know how to act and what to expect, basically I had no experience in interviews at all. So my first interview with Mechron Company meant everything to me. I thought I had to get that job no matter what. Even though the interview went well and even though the spokespersons were (seemed to be) really satisfied with me, I was not even rated for the job and I could not get over it. I was so mad and disappointed. When another interview came I did not care that much and was not ready for it and I missed the opportunity. The second interview was really a good chance for me if only I had had a positive attitude, but I blew it. What I am trying to say is one should not give up after not being hired, and should treat every interview equally and always be open and believe there is a chance because sometimes all you need is a little bit of luck. Another thing to mention, at the time of the interview it is very important to be calm and relaxed. If you relax you will show the confidence plus they will believe everything you say. Otherwise if you are nervous, they could think that you are not up to the challenge and maybe that you are not telling the truth. But even though one is calm at the interview, one should still keep a certain professional level. University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 10
INTERVIEW RESPONSE Purpose: To develop effective responses to the interview question, Why weren t you placed in your first work term? Rationale: Being prepared with a response to this interview question will increase your interview success. ACTIVITY: Part 1 In groups of two Select one person to ask the interview question Why weren t you placed in your first work term? Select another person to respond to the interview question. Give feedback on each individual s response. Switch roles. Part 2 As a larger group Debrief. Part 3 Individually Reflect on your unique situation. Record your response strategy. University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 11
CAREER DEVELOPMENT Purpose: To clarify and develop your career path and increase your marketable skills. Rationale: Clarifying and developing your career path and increasing your marketable skills increases your competitive advantage. ACTIVITY: Individually (on your own time) Personality assessment Complete a personality assessment to gain self-awareness and career focus. Location: Career Counselling 100 Marie Curie Mentorship Become a mentee with a graduate of the University of Ottawa to develop your career network and gain fieldspecific information. Location: Career Services 312 UCU 3 rd floor Volunteering Volunteer your time to build marketable skills and your career network. Location: Career Services 312 UCU 3 rd floor Membership Become an active and involved member of a professional association to gain field-specific knowledge and develop a career network. Attend conferences to learn more about your field. Search online for Program of study + Association. Search www.cicic.ca/en/profess.aspx?sortcode=2.19.21.21. Language training Seek out second-language training to increase marketability to employers. Having even a basic knowledge of a second language is beneficial. Search www.olbi.uottawa.ca. Search www.cantest.uottawa.ca. University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 12
RESUMÉ REVIEW Purpose: To ensure your resumé is up to date. Rationale: Ensuring your resumé is up to date will help maintain your competitive advantage. ACTIVITY: Individually (on your own time) Incorporate current job, volunteer work and education. Also add details of association memberships and involvement. Delete or modify old information. Refer to the CO-OP Resumés Workbook. Tip: Book a resumé review to discuss strategies and further development. CONCLUSION UPCOMING Follow new student calendar Official withdrawal date ADDITIONAL HELP To make an appointment, contact the CO-OP Office: 613.562.5741 coop@uottawa.ca University of Ottawa, CO-OP Programs 13