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Career Edge Blog

Jun 09
Love4

Career Edge Organization presents Gen Y study at the CACEE National Conference

By Events & Holidays

From August 30 to September 30, 2010 Career Edge Organization conducted an anonymous online survey among 1,118 young Canadians ages 18-29. The idea was to build on insights from our Gen Y: Part I Survey but this time offer employers a closer look at the career aspirations and expectations of “Generation Y” (ages 18-29), particularly with respect to workplace culture and work environment.

Like its predecessor, our second Gen Y Survey was a hit. The surprising results were published in over a dozen major publications across Canada including the Toronto Star, the Ottawa Citizen, the Montreal Gazette, the Calgary Herald, the Vancouver Sun, the Edmonton Journal and the Canadian HR Reporter, to name a few. Companies such as TD Waterhouse also added this information to their HR sites as reference. Here are some of the articles:

TheStar.com
Study: What twentysomethings want from their job
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/884676–study-what-twentysomethings-want-from-their-jobs

CanadianHRReporter.com
Gen-Y employees want traditional environment, compensation: Survey
http://www.hrreporter.com/ArticleView.aspx?l=1&articleid=8387

VancouverSun.com
Gen Y, more traditional than previously thought
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/more+traditional+than+previously+thought/3787907/story.html

Recently, our VP Donna Smith and our Director of Marketing & Communications, Janice Rudkowski, presented the findings to an engaged and enthusiastic audience of employers and career educators at  this year’s CACEE  National Conference.

The annual event brings together between 250-350 human resources and career services professionals representing academic institutions and employers across Canada.

Next week we will be posting some tidbits from our survey, starting with a coveted list of the Top 10 Employers as selected by Gen Y respondents. So, stay tuned!

Jun 03
Love4
networking tips

Networking not working? Tips from Career Edge Alumni Network

By Jobseeker

On Thursday, June 2nd, over 60 former interns of Career Edge Organization’s three paid internship programs  gathered at an event hosted by us in downtown Toronto called “Grow Your Network, Grow Your Career!” The event, exclusively for our former interns (or Alumni) aimed to offer some information and networking tips as well as some online social tools and the opportunity to put what they’ve learned to practice during a reception as well as a structured group activity.

We were very fortunate to be joined by Paul Yeung, who volunteered to be our guest speaker. Paul not only delivered a funny (and, at times, brutally honest) and informative presentation, but he also facilitated a group networking activity. He was kind enough to let us share some of his networking tips with our audience. Here are our favourites:

1. Humour & Socializing

Look for common ground. This could be something that is central to Canadian culture (Paul suggests following hockey for water cooler conversation) or something broader and more universal, like parenting, marriage, etc.

We think this is great advice. Personally, I love to hear about different cultures. One thing most people have in common is a curiosity about the world and a desire to travel.

2. Do not cross the line between networking & friendship

Paul told Alumni that he is generous with his time and always willing to talk to others and give advice, but warns that his Facebook and LinkedIn networks are personal and for well-established networks only.

Paul is spot on.  Whether you are asking for or offering your time, it’s very important for all involved to establish well defined boundaries early on.

3. It is about what you have to offer, NOT just asking for things… remember to PASS IT FORWARD.

While it’s important to be aware of what your needs and gaps are, also think about what you might have to offer others. Go into networking events prepared to ask questions and listen. Offer solutions and, when appropriate, your insight or even your time. What goes around comes around!

4. Work on your 30 minute commercial

Paul recommends everyone have an “elevator pitch” about themselves, just as business do. This will help you to always be prepared to talk about yourself in a short, concise way while confidently highlighting key points. But also remember to listen carefully, and adjust your message to your audience.

5. Take the initiative and follow-up

Whether it is with a thank-you card or simply a note to say hello, following up is an important step in building meaningful relationships.

To this I would also add a word of warning: It could be very off-putting if your first post-networking contact with someone is a big ask. This is something that you should work up to slowly, once you have built trust and credibility. In your note, simply let that person know that you enjoyed meeting them and hope to stay in touch. Offer them something, such as information or an introduction to another contact. When the timing is right, offer to meet and chat over coffee – your treat.

About Paul Yeung

Paul is a fiercely proud Canadian who believes strongly that both the public and private sectors have important roles to play in the development of public policy initiatives critical to determining the future path of our country. Since 2007, Paul has held the position of senior manager, regulatory and government affairs, with the Royal Bank of Canada. Prior to joining the bank, he was a senior policy advisor to the Minister of Finance, ON.

Paul has gained a greater understanding of Canada by studying abroad and by gaining international experience that has included internships in Northern Ireland, Belgium and China. He was a consultant with the External Affairs department of the World Bank for more than two years. Paul is passionate and dedicated to making a difference in his community. He enjoys lecturing at York University’s Emerging Global Leaders Program, was appointed by the Government of Ontario to the Trillium Foundation’s Grant Review Team, and plays hockey year round. Paul completed his undergraduate studies in history at Wilfrid Laurier University (1996), and an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (2002) in Bologna, Italy and Washington, D.C. Paul is married with two young daughters.

May 27
Love4

Study reveals “the role and future of HR” from the perspective of Canadian CEOs

By Uncategorized

Some have said that HR professionals are not fully appreciated or valued in Canadian organizations, but the results of a recent study show just the opposite.

The Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), in partnership with Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions, conducted in-person and telephone interviews with twenty CEOs from a cross-section of Canadian organizations. Questions centered on the value HR brings to the business, major human capital challenges as well as what they look for in a Chief Human Resource Officer.

CEOs believe that senior HR executives have done a good job working as a partner during the last few years, but going forward they expect them to couple their HR skills with a much deeper understanding of the business.

Excerpt from “The Role and Future of HR: The CEO’s Perspective”

But while CEOs called HR executives “trusted confidants who add value,” there was also the sense that HR strategies needed to have a stronger link to the overall business strategies of the organization.

The study also revealed that CEOs feel HR leaders need to show more assertion in the boardroom. One stated ,”HR issues get ignored in the heat of the battle.”

Do you think HR leaders are assertive enough in having their voices heard? Let us know what you think!

Click here to read the full report.

May 19
Love4

Career Bridge Program Alumna featured in Canadian Immigrant

By Events & Holidays

000 tetAt Career Edge Organization, one of our greatest measures of success is the success of our former interns. This is why we are continuously working to improve our connectivity and communication with those who have participated in our Career Edge, Ability Edge or Career Bridge paid internship programs – folks we now fondly refer to as “Alumni.”

Many of our former interns have moved on (and up) in their careers to achieve enormous success in their chosen fields, and like proud parents, all of us here get a warm, fuzzy feeling when we hear about the impact our host employers have helped us make.

One of these amazing former interns is Teresita “Tet” Lopez-Rabson. You may recall, we featured Tet in our special edition newsletter from September 2010 when we celebrated our 10,000th intern.

Tet, who got her start at Seneca College as a Career Bridge intern in 2004, has since climbed the ranks to Director and now coaches and hires Career Bridge interns herself! Tet has also remained engaged with us here at Career Edge Organization, participating in events like our recent 2010/11 Achievement Awards where she took part in a special ceremony to commemorate our 15th anniversary.

Now Tet is making headlines again, this time in Canadian Immigrant magazine. Click here to read her story on canadianimmigrant.ca!

Due to her can-do attitude and lovely personality, it is no surprise to us that Tet’s story has captured the attention of so many – she is an excellent example of the thousands of incredible people who faced barriers to employment and tore those barriers down. Kudos to Tet, and to Seneca College for seeing her great potential!

May 13
Love4

City of Toronto recognized for “Immigrant Success”

By Events & Holidays

When the opportunity came to us to nominate an employer for TRIEC’s annual Immigrant Success Awards, we had a difficult decision to make. Career Edge Organization works with so many incredible organizations (both big and small, private and public and not-for-profit too) in Ontario who use the Career Bridge paid internship program for hiring internationally qualified professionals.

In 2009, we nominated St. Michael’s Hospital for the Toronto Star Award for Excellence in Workplace Integration, and they won!

After some deliberation, this year we decided to nominate the City of Toronto. It was definitely the right choice. 2010 was a fantastic year for the city in terms of creating meaningful paid internship opportunities for immigrants. As one of the most diverse cities in North America, the City of Toronto is expected to lead by example, and they truly have embraced this challenge.

Although the City of Toronto was not selected by TRIEC as one of this year’s winners, they were shortlisted as a finalist and received recognition on their website and at their event.

Here is what TRIEC had to say about the City of Toronto:

When half of the population are immigrants, it is critical that city government reflects its community. The City of Toronto has been involved in many programs that give opportunities to skilled immigrants, but it is only recently that it has began to link initiatives together, developing action plans and embedding strategies – to ensure that best practices are organization-wide.

The City of Toronto has developed and publicized a long-term human resource strategy — the Public Service People Plan. Says the City’s Barbara Shulman, Director, Strategic Recruitment, Compensation & Employment Services: “The City is a leader in service delivery because of its positive and productive work environment that is inclusive and reflective of the diverse community it serves.”

Programs that fall under the strategy include working with a specialized engineering co-op program through the Toronto District School Board; making HR more accessible with a walk-in employment office at Metro Hall; improved onboarding systems; and long-time partnership involvement in mentoring and internship for skilled immigrants.

Since 2003, the City has provided more than 75 paid internships through Career Bridge, with more than one third of participants hired full-time. Originally in just two divisions, Career Bridge is now active in 14 divisions.

The City is also one of the original corporate partners of TRIEC’s Mentoring Partnership, with 238 City employees mentoring 554 skilled immigrants to date. Initially the program began with 29 mentors representing accounting, engineering and IT. Today the program has spread to include 16 professions across the organization.

Career Edge Organization worked with some of our key contacts at the City of Toronto to put together this award submission. When the time came around for our own Achievement Awards, we were happy to present them with one of our coveted “Career Bridge Program Awards.” Congratulations to everyone at the City of Toronto!

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