Graduation day is getting closer and most students are eager to graduate and start their lives, but many are worried where life after SAIT will take them.
A pile of resources to help SAIT students in their last semester find a job after graduation.The resources can be found in the counselling centre at MA211.
A looming fear of making life decisions is something that is common among most students, and some become very overwhelmed and are unsure where to begin.
SAIT student Pam Valenzuela, who is in her final semester of a business diploma, said that thinking about her future is a constant source of stress for her.
“It is very scary, especially when you are graduating into a tough job market,” Valenzuela said.
“I’m worried I will end up just having to stay in my low-paying part-time serving job.”
Valenzuela says she was previously unaware about the many programs and workshops SAIT offers in relation to career anxiety.
“I didn’t know SAIT had a career counsellor, but I never really looked into it to be honest,” she said.
Emma Geoghagen, registered psychologist and SAIT student development and counselling services employee, said increased anxiety for graduating students is completely normal.
“It is especially common in students who either have no idea what they want to do after graduation or don’t want to do something in the field of their program of study,” she said.
Geoghagen says students suffering anxiety who need career advice have many options, not only at SAIT, but from the government and community.
“The City of Calgary offers youths under 25 free job hunting assistance at the Youth Employment Centre,” she said.
The Youth Employment Centre does one-on-one career consultations and offers a job board, information on internships, job shadowing, and resume and cover letter skills.
Geoghagen said steps can be taken to relieve anxiety at the end of a program.
“Ideally, students should start at the beginning of their programs, learning to sell themselves, learning to job search, joining relevant associations to their career, networking and volunteering,” she said.
“If a student is concerned, it would be advantageous for them to meet with us in counselling and we can help them make a plan.”
Valerie Siu is a film production student at SAIT. She uses the career counselling services and job board, but still expressed nervousness related to finding entry-level work after graduation.
“The field I’m in is not exactly the kind of industry where you walk into a place, throw down your resume and expect to get a job right away,” she said.
Siu admitted she hasn’t done much to start her job search, but has started looking in to her possibilities for the future.
“Right now I am trying to figure out if it is worth it to do an internship because most of them are expensive and unpaid,” said Siu, adding she also is trying to join a union.
Despite being unsure of the future, Siu is excited at the prospect of finishing her education.
“I’m just pumped to get out there, and get my life started.”
Siu’s sentiment is shared by many graduating students.
