SES virtual horizons expanded

By Krista Maier

kmaie0010@algonquincollege.com

Living in a generation where technology is a part of daily reality, it is not uncommon to see clients being catered to via the Internet.

But in late February, Student Employment Service (SES) at Algonquin plans to step further into this virtual domain with the anticipated launch of a series of hands-on resumé-building videos.

Jennifer Jarvis, an employer relations officer at Algonquin says that through tracking students’ use of Student Portal, patterns show a significant amount of night and weekend use – outside of typical business hours.

“We want to be able to expand our reach with technology,” says Joanne McDonald, the acting manager at SES.

And that is exactly what staff has been working on with the help of Nate McNeil, a second-year TV broadcasting student, who has been filming and editing the pilot video.

With hectic schedules, students often struggle to keep appointments. “Resumé clinics don’t always coincide with student schedules,” says McNeil. But the accessibility of the Internet changes that.

McDonald says that over the last few semesters, starting in January 2008, SES has had to increase the regularity of resumé clinics at the college due to the volume of students looking for one-on-one resumé help. Students in dire need of the service often include soon-to-be grads. Students in their final semester can create a grad profile and upload their resumés. But you can’t do that without a formatted resumé.

 “[The video] will help to... deal with volume,” says McNeil.

The web has provided the accessibility that the college aims to use to help students. “It’s the world clients are comfortable in,” says McDonald. According to Jarvis, SES wants to “adapt to meet students needs.”

 In a few weeks, expect to see the launch of the first video.  Lori Berketa, an employment officer at SES is the host of the videos. “She’s very well-spoken and passionate,” says McNeil. Mimicking Carleton University’s instructional videos, Algonquin wants to step it up in a more creative way.

“Algonquin wanted to do a more exciting, more informational video,” says McNeil. In the video, Berketa teaches resumé-building exercises, cover letters, job interview tips and common mistakes students make while writing a resumé –all while keeping the audience engaged, according to McNeil.

The question remains...will students use this virtual tool?

Lee Joseph, 20, studying in the interactive multimedia development programs at Algonquin says that he thinks he would use the tool.  Joseph believes the video will be helpful but he is more interested in the convenience of it being online.  “I can just do it from home,” he says.

Some students like the convenience of the video as well as need help with putting together a basic resumé. “I personally don’t know how to do a resumé,” says first-year graphic design student, Lisa Baird. Baird says that she would at least check the link out but mentions Monster.ca and its ability to reach a wider base of employers.

Other students are indifferent.

“I already have two jobs,” says Patrick Desjardins, a community and justice services student. However, Desjardins thinks the program will work fine. “[For] kids that don’t know, it would be good so they can learn,” he says.

The new initiative has McDonald and Jarvis very excited to finish editing the video.