#77: Brianne Maxwell – Recognize students as long-term assets, not short-term solutions
“Employers need to work on keeping knowledge within their departments. By constantly recycling students, companies are wasting time, money, and the knowledge that the trained students have.”
—Brianne Maxwell, Political Science and Communication, University of Ottawa
I am a recent Political Science and Communication (co-op) graduate from the University of Ottawa.
I have worked for three government departments including the National Research Council, Health Canada, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).
I began working for the DFAIT in my fourth co-op placement in May 2010.
I was then transferred into a Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) position because I had completed my co-op program but still had a semester left of study.
While working for DFAIT, I realized I had a profound interest in disaster and emergency management, and I began searching for training and job shadowing opportunities within the department.
I had a very supportive manager who allowed me to take training in emergency management and the incident command system.
After eight months of trying to reach someone from the emergency management division, I was given the opportunity to assist with the Japan and MENA emergencies.
I was “borrowed” from my division for over a month (during my final semester of university) to assist with emergency communications including preparing media lines, question period notes, teleconferences with like-minded countries, etc.
This was a very rewarding experience because the emergency management division was in dire need of assistance during this time, and my contributions were both necessary and valued.
Where I am now
Now that my contract with the department is coming to an end, there seems to be no way of keeping my job or being bridged into another one. (I have two years from June 2011 to be bridged into a government department.)
I am going through contracting agencies to try and find a long term position within the government of Canada, but it has been difficult and I have yet to secure something.
My recommendation for employers
Based on my experience, employers need to better recognize that co-op and FSWEP students are eligible for bridging post graduation.
I have been working for three years straight, am now a graduate, and feel that all the hard work and effort I put forth have been a waste of time.
My resumé is certainly impressive, and I wouldn’t take back the opportunities or experiences I have been given by any means. However, I do feel that there is something wrong with a system that trains employees only to let them go and rehire new, unskilled employees.
Employers need to work on keeping knowledge within their departments. By constantly recycling students, companies are wasting time, money, and the knowledge that the trained students have.
I hope that, in the future, students who have had the opportunity to work for the government through co-op and FSWEP will be recognized as long-term assets.
I have made it this far only to be told I must look for employment elsewhere. I’m not saying all co-op and FSWEP students deserve to be bridged post graduation. However, those who have demonstrated excellence throughout should not be left unemployed at the end of the day.
My recommendation for students
Network, network, network! Also, be sure to keep in touch with old employers and colleagues— you will need all the help you can get when you’re looking for a job.
Don’t expect a job to land in your lap, you will have to work hard for it and it won’t be easy.
Be sure to get involved with as many initiatives, activities and training opportunities that you can while on the job.
Most importantly, don’t give up if you aren’t bridged right away – you aren’t alone.
This #StudentVoice belongs to:
Brianne Maxwell
Graduate
Political Science and Communication
University of Ottawa
