Career Development Programmes
Orientation Seminars
These seminars are held to assist first year students to focus on their career objectives and make relevant subject choices during the registration process. The office works closely with representatives of the faculties (Arts and Education, Pure and Applied Sciences and Social Sciences) and Public and Private Sector representatives in order to achieve the stated aim.
Questionnaires are administered to students from three faculties during the career seminars. Of the respondents for 1999, 34% of the students were from the Faculty of Arts and Education, 34% from Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences and 32% were from the Faculty of Social Sciences. Most students responded that the seminar helped them to focus on some career opportunities in the chosen area of study and also clarified issues relating to subject/course selection. Overall, 97% of students thought that the information received was either very relevant or relevant. The presenters were rated as follows:
Very good - 50% | Good - 41% | Satisfactory - 9% | Unsatisfactory - Nil
The following seminars were held:
Faculty of Arts and Education
Education-Based: Career Opportunities in the Field of Education
Presenters: Mrs. Dorothy Raymond, Professor Errol Miller
Arts-Based: An Overview of Career Opportunities for the Arts Graduate
Presenters: Professor Hubert Devonish, Mrs. Yvonne Sobers
Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences
Career Opportunities for Pure and Applied Science Graduates
Presenters: Dr. Dale Webber, Dr. Odelley Henry, Dr. Artnell Henry
Faculty of Social Sciences
Career Opportunities for the Social Sciences Graduate
Presenters: Mrs. Hermione McKenzie, Mrs. Claudette Whyte, Mr. Charles Jones
Peer Advisers Programme
The Peer Adviser Programme was designed to provide participating students with leadership opportunities as well as to serve the growing number of students seeking assistance with career-related decisions, many of whom would not normally visit the office.
Peer Advisers provide support to the staff at Placement and Career Services through individual and group information, assistance and guidance as well as career planning activities, seminars and workshops. The number of Peer Advisers in 1999/2000 increased from 20 to 25, inclusive of 4 senior Peer Advisers. The new Peer Advisers were selected and trained in October 1999. They assisted the office to market its programmes as well as to do follow-up activities for some of its programmes. They also advised peers on career issues and made referrals to the department.
So, if you prefer to discuss your career development with one of your peers you are always welcome to visit Room 6 at the office and talk with our peer advisers. They are trained to assist you and to make referrals when necessary. They can be identified by their gold peer advisers buttons; look out for your peer advisers as you move around campus!
Individual Counselling
There are two Career Counsellors who are available to give you ideas, guidance and information to help you work effectively towards a career choice. If you do not have an idea of what you would like to do you are invited to ‘walk in’ or make an appointment to see one of the Counsellors. If you have already decided then we can help you link your subject choices and career objective and identify possible employment opportunities.
Individual Counselling is an integral part of the Career Development Process.
SIGI+ (System for Interactive Guidance Information Plus)
This is a computerized career counselling information package. It is designed to help you decide what employment areas would best suit you depending on your interest, values, skills and abilities. You are therefore given the opportunity to do a self assessment. You may also research general information, for example; Marketability, nature of the job and training regarding a vast number of careers.
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World of Work Seminars
These are specially organized for final year students although any student wishing to attend may do so. The sessions are held from mid October to mid November on consecutive Thursday afternoons and are specially organized to equip students with the necessary job hunting skills and techniques for the job search and the world of work.
The presenters at these Seminars are Human Resource Specialists from public and private sector organizations.
The Office of Placement and Career Services in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Community Co-operative Credit Union (U.W.I.C.C.C.U.) conducted the 1999/2000 World of Work Seminars. The seminars were held on 6 consecutive Thursdays beginning October 28.
These seminars are usually marketed in very creative ways including colourful posters and the presentation of incentive packages for attendance.
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The Annual Career Exposition
An Annual Career Exposition is held during the Second Semester. It highlights a wide cross section of career areas by utilizing between thirty-five and forty Private and Public Sector organizations to mount displays.
Representatives of these organizations also do presentations on a wide range of career areas.
Attending this Exposition is therefore a must as it exposes you to a variety of possible career opportunities. You will widen your knowledge of the various organizations and network with key persons (Human Resource Personnel).
The Exposition is held over a three day period and although especially organized for you, include students from high schools and tertiary institutions across the island as well as the general public. You are especially invited to view the booths on display on Day 1 of the Expo. Recently, arrangements were made for finalising (Level III) students to leave their resumes with the personnel/human resource representatives at the booths. Make full use of this networking opportunity. Look out for the posters and visit our office to find out how you can participate.
