international co-op students challenges and opportunities
Post on 22-Feb-2016
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International Co-op Students
Challenges and Opportunities
Darlene O’Neill, Manager, Career, Co-op and CES Fanshawe College
Lori Elliott, Associate Dean, Faculty of Business Sheridan College
Fresh perspectives for employer and the institution
Very high levels of engagement and commitment to finding co-op opportunities
Fun to work with
Opportunities
Run specialized programming: bootcamps, extra prep course
Bring in speakers/coaches from their native culture
One on one coaching Specialized workshops Junior student buddy/mentors
Challenge: Cultural Competency
Partner with community immigrant services and have them do a session(s) with staff
Specialized PD for staff (cultural EQ) Student mentors (same culture) Providing a mentor from country of origin Peer connections Learning from Canadian peers
Challenge: Cultural Competency
Discussion of importance of educating employees Canadian “politeness” versus being directional,
straight forward with consequences PD sessions on Canadian norms and Canadian values
and expectations Workplace culture and professionalism in workplace –
in development Employers on campus – weekend sessions, specific
information sessions for each group Mentor
Challenge: Cultural Competency
One on one - time consuming International centre Booklet - handbook on ‘how to’ Senior student/buddy – country of origin Information session for ethnic groups with
specific details Mentors
Challenge: Cultural Competency
Pre-entry testing and interviewing Use work study students/Peer Mentors to
provide extensive 1:1 mock interviews Use on line tools such as Interview Stream
Challenge: Language
Social mandatory discussion classes (minimum five classes, 90 minutes in English)
Writing centre (students helping international students)
Encourage volunteer to practice English One on one guidance Partnering with employer who hire specific
international students Video tape students and give feedback
Challenge: Language
UBC sets language requirements PD sessions partnered with local students –
practice Intake interview process – take language
course Collaboration with Career Services (resumes
and cover letters) Use work study/mentors – mock interviews
Challenge: Language
Pre-entry testing and interviewing needs to be more stringent
Language centre to work with students to meet higher criteria
Minimum five sessions of ninety minutes by ESL as part of the requirement from co-op. Some students keep going for up to ten sessions (even 15+). Sessions are about talking in English with others – get them to practice
Challenge: Language
Tough one Encourage car pooling Encourage local on bus route job searches Positions with staff bussing available Scooter and bicycle International license pre coming to Canada
(in English
Challenge: No drivers license
Recruiters Reality of program and job requirements Standard information so students know what to
expect Meeting with co-op team to engage and make sure
all students are aware of requirements and expectations
Campus hiring shuttle drivers Ask employers participation to offer rides and such
Challenge: No drivers license
Encourage on-campus involvement such as volunteer or co-curricular experiences
Encourage campus partners to hire for work experiences
Volunteer Social Competitions Non-related Work experience is valuable
Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)
Focus on mining skill statements and recognitions from existing experiences
Applied education activities within programs Encourage off-campus volunteer Community encouragement, partner with
multi-cultural association Fundraising events, volunteering with
organization. Focus on culture coaching
Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)
Create volunteer fair (Niagara College) UBC Career Services = Work experience on campus
Work to learn/work study jobs. Career Services subsidies
Work 10 hours per week Encourage students to participate in cultural
associations Join professional association as student to gain skills
and focus Change name to Canadian name
Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)
On campus volunteer events Campus/faculty campus partners to hire for
work experience Focus on skills and how to transfer to
workplace Within the resume, students write a
summary on who they are, some of their skills, etc.
Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)
Fraud – Fake co-op opportunities. Indian students going to Indian employers and will work for free on non-approved co-op terms. Huge need to audit and follow-up in order to approve
Challenge: Lack of work experience (Canadian or other)
Communicate, communicate, communicate – Pre-admission sessions
Build strong relationships with International Office
Provide recruiters with clear Co-op communiques
Challenge: Mismatch of expectations
Not using words like guarantee “placements” Special circumstances ‘rules changed’ Information to recruiters International department needs to
understand and duplicate standards Communication, information, policy
enforcement Information sessions
Challenge: Mismatch of expectations
Try to manage expectations Policy Create increased accountability for their own
job search If possible have satellite EO office on site for
job development
Challenge: Focus on graduate employment
Task force to establish policy Create increased accountability for their own
job search Engagement is protected by using a contract
signed by the student
Challenge: Focus on graduate employment
Customized programs and classes for International students
Small group advising On line workshops available for review,
review
Challenge: More preparation time and demands
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