Wider Horizons

Career pathwaysLethbridge College’s annual event will draw students and employers together for a day of speed-dating Nov. 24.

For nearly 30 years, Lethbridge College has brokered an annual fall exchange between its students and employers, the former seeking employment, the latter new, educated talent.

Once termed a “fair,” the Lethbridge College Career Conference, one of the largest in Western Canada, has become a day in November on which the campus, the community and, yes, the competition gather to swap ideas for the benefit of students.

“The event was put in place to help our students,” says Pamela Crawshaw-Pragnell, supervisor of The Works, the college’s job and career service which produces the event, this year set for Nov. 24.

“Whether it’s to directly connect them with employers or for further educational opportunities, we are here to serve the students and the community.”

Career fairs are fairly common among post-secondary institutions. The province’s recent labour shortage highlighted interest in these by both industry and job seekers in these events. Last spring, Lethbridge

College added a second day geared solely to careers in the trades.

What sets Lethbridge College’s effort apart is its repurposing of the event into a conference involving community partners.

“Even calling it a ‘conference’ sets us apart from most,” says Crawshaw-Pragnell. “We also open our doors to the public and local high school students. It’s not just for our own students. Very few institutions will do that.”

That difference, says Crawshaw-Pragnell, is based on the college’s extreme confidence in the skills of its students and the potential they offer employers.

“Of course, employers will benefit from hiring our students, but we are part of the community and running this as an event for the employers in the community is important to us.”

While details are still being refined, college departments will also host workshops and events in the days leading up to the conference.

One of the latest additions to the 2010 edition is the involvement of other post-secondary ‘transfer’ institutions. Terri Ann Fitz-Gibson, Educational Liaison co-ordinator, says their involvement is another service provided students.

“We can’t operate in isolation,” says Fitz-Gibson. “We need to present as many opportunities as possible to help our students succeed.”

That means presenting them with information on furthering their education elsewhere.

“Many of our distinguished alumni have gone on to higher levels of education at other colleges and universities, thanks to the start they received here,” says Fitz-Gibson.

On the day of career conference, Fitz-Gibson also hosts a lunch for local high school counsellors, many of whom look forward to this annual trip to the campus.

“We not only treat them to a great meal prepared by our Culinary Careers students, they get to see and hear about the latest things at the college. It’s a great way to maintain a positive working relationship.”

The 2010 conference is generating a little excitement with the college’s School of Liberal Arts High School Challenge, a friendly competition between local students in a quiz-show format.

The 2010 Career Conference will cap off months of planning for the college. Details are available at careerconference.ca.

“Of course it just sets us up for how we will improve things for 2011,” says Crawshaw-Pragnell.

Wider Horizons
Lethbridge College
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