Employers require added skill set
Communication, service, leadership flexibility needed

By Diane Merlevede / Special Features Writer

In today's competitive job market university graduates need to bring more than their degree to the table. Universities offer a variety of programs and services to help students develop the skills and experience that employers also want. Some of the top skills important to employers include effective communication, customer service, the ability to get along with others, flexibility, leadership and problem-solving. Employers want to know how prospective employees have developed and applied such skills.

"Students need to be able to refer back to their past experiences and specifically convey to an employer what it is about their background that has built particular skills," says Laura Addicott, manager of the Student Employment Centre at Dalhousie University.

Students can develop many of the skills employers want through part-time or summer jobs, volunteer work, sports and other extracurricular activities.

"If students are participating in outside activities and working, it also shows that they are able to manage multiple tasks," says Christine Frigault, co-ordinator of the Career Planning Centre at Mount Saint Vincent University.

Get Real Skills, an interactive program online at Dalhousie's website, helps students assess their skills, strengths and areas requiring development, and records examples of how they have applied their skills.

Dalhousie offers two credit courses that can help students build a career portfolio and gain leadership experience by mentoring other students. Some of its degree programs, such as commerce, engineering and architecture, offer co-operative education options that enable students to combine their studies with work in their field.

This fall Mount Saint Vincent is introducing a Job Finding Club for senior year students who are preparing to graduate.

"It's aimed at helping them navigate the job search process in a supportive group environment," says Frigault. There will be seven half-day sessions to help students set their career goals, write resumes and cover letters, prepare for interviews and learn how to sell themselves to employers.

The university is expanding its mentoring program, which connects students with Mount alumni working in fields that interest the students. Starting this year, the students also will act as mentors to high schoolers who are interested in going to university.

"This is going to be a great opportunity for our students to gain some leadership and communication skills as well as having a mentor," says Frigault.

Dalhousie, Mount Saint Vincent and Saint Mary's work together to present the annual Halifax Career Fair for their students.

"We attract employers from across Canada and beyond," says Addicott. "It's an opportunity for the students and employers to meet each other face to face."

Universities also provide career counselors, resource libraries and a wide range of other tools to help with the transition from school to the workplace. Frigault urges students to make use of the programs and services available to them.