JMSB seminars to give international students a career boost

“Searching for career information can be very confusing for international students,” says Suparna Ushashi, a student in the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration program at the John Molson School of Business. “But the seminar offered by Career Management Services (CMS) that I attended in the spring provided me with a lot of guidance.”

“It feels really good to know that there are so many other international students facing the same challenges as me,” says Ritu Virk, a Master of Science student from India.

Ushashi, who is from Bangladesh, attended a seminar run as a pilot project by CMS for graduate students. The success of the test-run has led CMS to launch its International Student Career Seminars, designed to help both graduate and undergraduate international students search for jobs and internships.

“By explaining what skills and qualifications Canadian employers are really looking for, the seminars will help students gain relevant experience, build a network and ultimately find a job here in Quebec,” says Susanne Thorup, the CMS career advisor responsible for the International Student Programs Initiative.

The sessions provide career-planning and job-search advice through lectures by guest presenters and interactive activities. The programs will address how to build a résumé, will include LinkedIn and interview tips, and will give students the opportunity to learn and practice networking techniques. Students who complete the seminars will receive a certificate of completion from Career Management Services.

CMS will also be hosting an event for JMSB international students called “Networking Canadian Style” on November 19.  Participants will have the opportunity to practice their networking skills with former JMSB international students who now working in Montreal, as well as with HR professionals who work closely with CMS. Registration for the event will be open the first week of November.

These initiatives are part of a suite of programs aligned with the portion of JMSB’s strategic plan aimed at elevating the student experience by “enhancing the integration of international students.” On March 24, CMS hosted an International Student Alumni Career Panel, featuring alumni currently working in Montreal, who had been international students at JMSB. The panelists shared their stories and discussed their career paths with current international students, providing them with encouragement.

More recently, over 100 students and their parents participated in an orientation event specifically designed to aid the integration of international students.

The fall career seminars began on October 16 and according to Thorup the demand has been overwhelming. “We’re at capacity,” she says.

Students interested in participating in the winter sessions should contact Susanne Thorup at susanne.thorup@concordia.ca.