OUTREACH
Setting up University Students for Longterm Success
tools to teach other students and help each other while expanding their own abilities. That convinced us it was time to restructure each SLC — there is one in Calgary and one in Edmonton — and rethink their responsibilities. The first step was finding teams of ambitious, creative students who are not afraid to think outside the box. We wanted to make sure the each new Student Liaison Committee consisted of individuals who • see the value of collaboration and teamwork • are passionate about improving the lives of students • bring fresh perspectives to problems Our group interview process, which involved LEGO, drawings, and mock events, allowed us to observe as leadership styles emerged, problem-solving skills were displayed, and differing opinions were voiced and weighed. There were even a few fist- bumps as teams worked together to accomplish their goals during the interviews. While unconventional, these interviews sent the same messages we wanted our SLC team to internalize. From kindergarten to university, APEGA’s Outreach initiatives are to be memorable, impactful, and fun yet challenging. Students signing up to participate in a SLC knew that this was no longer a cut- and-dry committee, with APEGA doing the planning before the students execute. To succeed on the SLC, students would need to be ambitious and enthusiastic, and know how to work together to accomplish something great.
Talk to 1,000 different professionals about their time in post- secondary and you’ll hear about 1,000 different experiences. While some look back fondly on their university days, others will remember that graduation couldn’t come soon enough. Regardless of the different situations and perspectives each student faces, one theme sure to emerge is uncertainty. There isn’t exactly a “how-to” guide on how to survive — let along thrive — post-graduation, and the economic uncertainty in Alberta right now only reinforces what we already know: a smooth transition between university and a career is far from a guarantee. Many students find the journey from graduation to the workforce a difficult one. Oftentimes, even when they’ve found work in engineering or geoscience, some will say they were ill-equipped for the challenges they faced in their first year of employment. Yet for an employer, new perspectives are a source of fresh, exciting ideas, and we routinely hear from Members about the advantages they’ve experienced bringing new graduates into the organization. With an eagerness and excitement to make an impact, grads can bring new lifeblood into a business, and help it adapt to a changing economic and social environment. With so much to be gained from helping students better prepare for life after university, APEGA has renewed and refined its University Outreach program, allowing students to make the most of their time as a post-secondary student — while preparing for what lies beyond it.
A CULTURE OF CREATIVITY
A BLANK SLATE
APEGA’s dedication to providing opportunities for students to strengthen their soft skills and thrive after graduation starts with a planning team that’s passionate about improving the lives and careers of those currently in post-secondary. In previous years, APEGA staff would come up with an event idea and then work with a student liaison committee (SLC) to put it into motion. This method was effective in running quality events, but we realized we were missing an opportunity to harness the creative energy and ingenuity of these students. What if they not only ran the events — but also developed leadership and project management skills? We recognized a latent potential to not only help students manage the transition from post-secondary, but also give them the
Outside-the-box thinkers are important on each SLC because there’s no instruction manual on how to improve the transition between post-secondary and the workforce. Or at least if there was an instruction manual, we threw it out. We knew that those who best know how to help out students are students themselves, in consultation with — and under the mentorship of — APEGA Members and staff. That’s why we wanted the students themselves, alongside our team, planning the best ways to aid and improve the portfolios and skills of them and their peers. For APEGA’s Outreach Department, as well as the students, it’s an arrangement that was nerve-racking at times. Certainly,
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