Rotary Career Symposium

TheDukeofEdinburgh'sAward isaself-directeddevelopment programforyoungCanadians age14to24.Youthcanearna Bronze,SilverandGoldAward. TheAwardconceptisoneof individualchallenge.Itgives youthawaytostandoutin particularon:scholarships,post- secondaryschoolandemployment LearnmoreaboutTheAwardat: www.dukeofed.org/mb Page 15 University Dynamic Faith-filled Community CANADIANMENNONITEUNIVERSITY cmu.ca Justin Lawson has a few words of advice for students planning to attend this year's Rotary Career Symposium – do your homework. The symposium, which will take place March 18 and 19 at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, is considered the most comprehensive showcase of employment and educational opportunities in the province. More than 13,000 visitors are expected to attend this year's event which will feature over 200 exhibit booths and 70 speaker sessions. Lawson, a career and community experiences teacher in the Pembina Trails School Division, says the symposium is an invaluable opportunity for young people to learn about potential careers and what they need to do to pursue them. By conducting a little research prior to the event – be it investigating potential employers online or completing a simple self-assessment test – students are far more likely to find a potential career that suits their personal goals and interests. "Knowledge is power," Lawson said. "By doing their homework and by doing a few simple activities it gives them some real insight into what they want as a future employee. "Some students may struggle academically but once they find the right fit career-wise they just shine. If something is a good fit, magic happens and students can excel in these roles. They are more likely to be successful and happy as a result of that success." Lawson speaks from experience. He attended the Rotary Career Symposium as high school student and determined soon after that he wanted to pursue a career in education. It's a story he shares with many of the students he counsels. "As a student I felt it was incredibly valuable and I liked that I was getting information from the horse's mouth, so to speak," he said. "It's a tremendous opportunity to talk to people who are already in these careers and ask them questions." Even if students have done their homework, Lawson says they should be prepared to ask plenty of questions at the symposium. What kind of salary does a particular career offer? What does a typical work day look like? What kind of education is required and how much does it cost to complete? "They're not applying for a job. It's essentially a chance to interview potential employers. If you don't ask the right questions you will never know," he said. With so many options to choose from, it's understandable how some students might feel a little overwhelmed by the number of possibilities to choose from. Lawson's advice to students is to look at the options that are the best fit for them. "Not everything under that roof is going to appeal to you. You need to congregate to what you are passionate about," he said. "Money is important but it's not everything. I'd rather people be passionate about what they're going to do since there's a possibility they may be doing it for the rest of their life. If you can walk into work every day with a song in your heart and a smile on your face that's worth its weight in gold." While students may already have a clear idea about their future career before they attend the symposium, it's hardly the end of the world if they don't. In fact, Lawson says it's important for any career seeker to keep an open mind when it comes to picking the path that's right for them. "It's a springboard to what's out there and all the possibilities. Something may not be the best fit for you but you might like these particular components of it," he said. "Unless you reach out you might stay in the dark and just take what's available." Lawson says that while most students leave the symposium far better informed than when they arrived, their homework is by no means complete. They should take the information they have gleaned and use it as the basis for further study of the career possibilities that interest them. "The next step is to study the pros and cons of those careers. Do more research. Is the schooling you need affordable? What is the rate of employment in those careers? The best thing is to be methodical and make the best decision about your future." KnoWLedGe iS poWer for viSitorS to CAreer SYMpoSiuM By Jim Timlick - For the Free Press

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