This article was written by Karen Martin, Career Consultant with NC’s Academic Advising and Career Services
More than 200 Niagara College students had the opportunity to attend a Healthcare Job Fair at the Welland Campus on July 8.
Hosted by NC Career Services, 14 healthcare employers from across Niagara region participated in the event,
connecting directly with students primarily from the College’s Practical Nursing, Personal Support Worker, and international nursing programs.
Students attend the Healthcare Job Fair hosted by Career Services on July 8
This is the third year that the department has hosted a summer Healthcare Job Fair, and it is expected to become an annual event.
For the employers in attendance, the event was a positive experience.
“Our recruitment team was overwhelmed with the enthusiastic response from Niagara College students at the recent career fair,” said Breanna Addabbo, Workforce Planning & Recruitment Specialist with Niagara Health. “We are so lucky to have access to such high-quality healthcare talent right in our backyard, and to have such a great partner in the college.”
Robyn Davison, Director of Nursing at the St. Catharines-based Westhills Care Centre, was also pleased with student engagement at the event. “The Job Fair was a great experience, very well organized and well attended,” said Davison. “We would love to be invited back.”
In addition to Niagara Health and Westhills Care Centre, employers in attendance also included: Hotel Dieu Shaver; Bethesda Services; Head Injury Rehabilitation Ontario; SE Health; Conmed; Stay at Home Nursing; Bayshore Health; Paramed; VON; Community Living St. Catharines; Radiant Care; and CBI Health.
“There continues to be an overwhelming demand in Niagara and across Ontario for healthcare professionals,” said Karen Martin, Career Consultant with NC’s Academic Advising and Career Services. “We work with employers every day who are struggling to fill positions in their organizations. The Healthcare Job Fair is our way of ensuring these organizations can connect directly with our graduates and soon-to-be graduates.”
Student Assistant Julio Garcia, a Business Administration – Human Resources (Co-op) program student completing his co-op with NC Career Services, assists at the student check-in desk on July 8.
For Niagara College faculty, the Healthcare Job Fair was a gratifying opportunity, seeing their students interact with potential employers in their field of study.
“There was a positive energy and a buzz of excitement in the room that you could feel from the interactions between students and prospective employers,” said Sarah McGeown, NC’s Associate Director, International Nursing Studies and Clinical Education. “I was pleased to see so many Niagara College students professionally engaged with prospective employers, and hopeful that the event will result in many students finding employment opportunities in our community.”
Practical Nursing student Aasia Ovais described the event as an opportunity to discover new healthcare organizations and develop a better understanding of the current job market.
“I also got a chance to interact with employers, ask questions and get to know what their company specifically wants before an interview,” said Ovais.
Leading up to the fair, Career Services staff facilitated several resume clinics and mock interview sessions for healthcare program students to help them prepare for the event.
A variety of career services are available to all current students and recent graduates at the Academic Advising & Career Services offices at the Welland Campus (SE101), and the Daniel J. Patterson Campus (W115). Students and grads can also access job postings on the MyCareer Portal, or connect with the team by email at [email protected]. Services include assistance with resumes, interviewing techniques and job search strategies.
Learn more about these services on the Career Services website.
