AMPUS NEWS — mororoswiesm THE VOICE, THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 3 Government courts new grads Student Employment Day highlights private & public jobs By HAYLEY DOCTOR tudents have the opportunity to meet potential employers face- to-face today on campus as part of Student Employment Day. In addition to private companies, a panel of nine government employees from the municipal, provincial and fed- eral levels will be available to discuss the benefits of working in the public service. The panel will be held today at 2:30 p.m. in A122b and requires RSVP. Alana Rosseker, who until recently worked as director the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, believes working in the public sector provides better opportunities for growth than the private sector. “TYou are] encouraged to move around ... there’s tons of opportunities for growth, and a flexibility to you and your portfolio,” Rosseker said. “There’s a wide array of subject fields ... the possibilities are endless.” Jason Rude, manager of financial analysis for the Vancouver Police De- partment echoes the idea that skills can be transferred easily. “TIt’s a different skill set you learn to develop [than in the private sector]. They are similar environments, and once you have these valuable skills you can transfer to the private sector,” said Rude. “It goes beyond typically reporting to a boss,” said Rude. “It’s interesting work.” Karena Tchakedjian, Langara arts and sciences student, said she never re- ally thought about working for the gov- ernment. “You don’t really think about it that much when you’re looking for work. Government jobs just kind of get over- looked, like ‘Oh, well someone else can do that,’” said Tchakedjian. Luke MacLean, a computer science student, said working for the govern- ment would be a great experience. “T don’t think I would mind working for the government,” he said. “Tt would be interesting to see the in- ner workings of government and to be a part of those important things that governments do.” EVENT highlights HE Meet potential employers today (Mar. 8) from 10 am. to3 p.m. in the main foyer of the A building HM Careers in Govern- ment panel - 2:30 pm. in A122b ME Employers include CGA, YMCA and London Drugs Source: www.langara.be.ca CanLit awards debated Collection of Governor General Literary Award- winning novels will be discussed on Monday By OMAR SHARIFF rare collection of “the greatest Aves of Canadian literature” - any of which are shrouded in controversy —- will be presented March 12 on campus. 75 Years of Controversy will explore novels that have received the Governor General’s Literary Award, a conten- tious honour because it plays a key part in deciding which books will have a lasting legacy in Canadian history, said Andrew Irvine, curator of the col- lection and host of the event. “Tt will partly be a review of 75 years of Canadian literature and partly a re- view of the controversies that have ac- companied the awards over this time,” said Irvine. “Sometimes they get things right and sometimes not. But controversy shows that the awards are doing what they’re meant to do - they focus our at- tention on significant books and en- courage debate.” Katie Eliot, arts division assistant who helped bring the exhibition to Lan- gara, said that cover art for about 300 books will also be on display during the lecture. “It’s going to be like an art show as well as a lecture,” said Eliot. Irvine said the lecture provides “a terrific way of learning about, not just Canadian literature, but Canadian his- tory and culture as well.” Theresa MacMillan, English depart- ment head, believes students will find the lecture valuable. “These are some of the greatest nov- els of Canadian literature that are be- ing discussed so anyone who is a read- er would be interested,” said MacMillan. Arts and science student Tyese Mar- tin, finds the rare novels to be the most interesting. “Anything that is kind of rare, you want to learn more and be more aware about because you wouldn’t learn about it otherwise,” Martin said. The lecture takes place Monday, March 12 at 12:30 p.m. in room A122a, while the novel collection will be on dis- play until April 16. as A CHILD'S VIEW FROM GAZA Examples of children’s art work from the Gaza Strip. The work is part of A Child’s View from Gaza, an exhibition of 25 children’s art pieces. These pieces are part of the 75-piece exhibition that was created in 2009 by the Pal- estinian chil- dren of Gaza who witnessed violence and who partici- pated in after- school chil- dren’s therapy programs. - Submitted photos Tomorrow's leaders make connections Leaders of Tomorrow pairs students with mentors to access hidden job market By AGUSTINA COCCARO on campus last Tuesday to tell stu- dents what many of them may al- ready know - getting a job is all about connections. Leaders of Tomorrow program man- ager Austin Nairn spoke to an audience of approximately 50 students on how to make that crucial first impression to possible employers. “It’s about positive networking, and it all starts with an introduction,” he said. Leaders of Tomorrow is a unique mentorship program that pairs post secondary students with industry pro- fessionals to prepare them for the work force. Langara graduate Caitlyn Cook com- pleted the Leaders of Tomorrow Pro- gram and now works for the Vancouver Board of Trade. In her presentation, Cook told the workshop that 80 per cent of jobs are gained through networking and that “its about making those con- nection and main- taining them.” Nairn told the students that one must maintain a professional perso- T: Vancouver Board of Trade was AUSTIN NAIRN Leaders of To- morrow manager 66 na when dealing ’ with employers. It’s about This includes up-to- positive date professional business cards and network- a portfolio of your ing and it work. “I think there are all starts way too many stu- with an dents that are fo- + _ cused on getting introduc their academics tion done and they wait to make contacts, which to me seems like a waste of time,” said marketing management student Erica Marrello after attending the workshop. “T read so many articles about how students cant get any jobs and the main reason for that is because employers will look at your resume and see all the classes you’ve done, but where’s your real life experience? Who do you know?” she explained. Marrello plans on attending Student Employment Day today at Langara where she hopes to use her networking skills with prospective employers. Anyone interested in the LOT pro- gram can contact the Vancouver Board of Trade. Seismic upgrades and new buildings Continued from page one building, said Lannard. Before construction of the new build- ing can start, funding will have to come from a combination of government, col- lege, and corporate money as well as private donations, said Tanaka. “T think an operational building would still be three-to-four years out even if we had the funding tomorrow,” he said. Langara is facing decreased govern- ment funding after the last budget.