FSCS career fairs spark student-employer connections

Industry partners and agencies met with Humber learners to discuss field experience, employment and career pathways

By Chris Clay on
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The career fairs that Humber Polytechnic’s Faculty of Social & Community Services (FSCS) recently organized proved beneficial – not just for the students, but for the agencies that had a presence there as well. 

Meaghan Catalano-Perez, Manager, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) with FSCS, said more than 40 industry partners and agencies attended the fairs held Jan. 28 to 29 at Lakeshore Campus. The first day focused on justice-related partners, while the second welcomed partners from the social and community sectors.  

“With many of our FSCS students about to graduate and embark on their careers with their new credential, the career fairs are a chance for them to explore what opportunities are available in their field,” said Catalano-Perez, noting the fairs were relaxed and informal to allow the students to feel comfortable asking questions about the agencies and their work. 

Malachi Jones is a Social Service Worker student who is in his final semester. Jones was at the event to connect with prospective employers and get a better sense of what career opportunities exist in the field. Jones found it useful speaking with the representative and gained important insights and advice from those currently working in the industry. 

The Rexdale Women’s Centre had a booth that was staffed by Community Engagement Workers Afsheen Siddiq and Aswathy Valsala. Siddiq said the centre has had a partnership with Humber going on almost 15 years and hundreds of the institution’s students have had WIL placements with them. 

“Our partnership with Humber has flourished and grown over the years and we’ve had wonderful experiences with Humber students,” said Siddiq, noting many of the WIL students have found full-time employment with the centre, which is one of six agencies that make up the Rexdale Community Hub. 

Two people stand at a table with a sign on it that reads Rexdale Women’s Centre.

Fatima Minhas started the Addictions and Mental Health program in January and decided to attend the career fair to get a jump on finding an organization for the required WIL placement. Some of the agencies were new to Minhas and she found one offering a program close to her home. 

“I’m loving the program, it’s really amazing and I’m learning so much,” said Minhas, adding the career fair really opened her eyes to what future job opportunities exist. 

Some of the organizations to attend over the two days included Hope Autism Services, Doors of Compassion, Community Living Mississauga (as well as their Oakville chapter), Green Haven, Paragon Security, Woodbine Entertainment and various police and corrections departments, among others. 

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Katie Griffiths, director of community services with Alzheimer Society Peel, said the fairs are an excellent way to connect with the students and talk about what they do as an organization to see if there might be a fit. 

Griffiths said they have brought on Humber graduates in the past. While many of their roles are tied to their community work, Griffiths did note they had placements for technical and administrative positions and hoped students from some of those programs would come by to chat. 

Catalano-Perez said, for those students who can’t attend, FSCS will share an email with learners with information on the agencies and organizations that attended with links to their websites and hiring pages.