Learning to thrive in the workplace
Afraid of feeling disillusioned and uninformed when you graduate? Wonder what it takes to succeed in today’s workforce? If this sounds like you, sign up for Thriving in the Workplace, a three-day panel series that will cover what the working world is really like.
“This free series is a fantastic opportunity for students and alumni to have their questions answered and access a wide range of expertise in one forum,” says Catherine Maybrey, alumni career coach at the Student Success Centre.
Thriving in the Workplace runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 and involves alumni, employment experts and representatives from companies such as Target, Canadian Tire, Volunteer Hamilton and Factor [e] Design Initiative.
The series begins with “Life after Mac,” led by young alumni who will share their “eye-opening workplace experiences,” says Maybrey. “They will talk about what they knew, thought they knew and didn’t understand at all.”
This session will be followed by a networking dinner and keynote reception with Vass Bednar – an Action Canada Fellow at the University of Toronto’s School of Public Policy, and a McMaster alumna. Bednar will discuss her employment experiences since graduating from McMaster in 2008, and share insights she has gained along the way. Participants will also have an opportunity to connect with alumni, panel speakers and campus contacts, and fine-tune their networking skills.
Other highlights include an interactive workshop with associate professor Teal McAteer about how to communicate effectively, and a session on employment law entitled “Fired for Facebook: Employment Law in the Digital Age” which addresses employees’ rights and responsibilities, and the employer’s obligations.
“Thriving in the Workplace: Lessons from the Top” will provide attendees with a real-life success story. David Adames, president and CEO at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, will discuss the evolution of his career beginning with an entry-level position in the cultural/heritage field to his current role. “What’s really interesting about this story,” says Maybrey, “is the fact that David doesn’t have a business degree.”
Participants will also learn how to take control of their careers by being proactive, networking, volunteering, and taking advantage of service-learning opportunities.
This Student Success Centre initiative was made possible by the Student Life Enhancement Fund and support from of the Office of Alumni Advancement and School of Graduate Studies.
