These are just some of the questions that were posed during MPS Talks held on January 10. At this event, senior MPS students shared their knowledge, tips and success stories with new students who are embarking on their co-op interviews in the coming weeks.
Topics ranged from applications and interviews, to on-the-job etiquette. Valuable insights shared by senior students from the class of 2014 included:
- Be professional – “I think of professionalism as being a perfect ‘Triple A’, appearance, actions and attitude,” says Rachel Skinner. “For your interviews, wear a suit, be on time, firm handshake if offered, and be friendly. If you start with a professional appearance in the interview, and carry that over into the workplace, it gives you a very strong start.”
- Do your research – Athar Zia has participated in hiring co-op students for the Region of Peel and points out that “Successful candidates are confident, friendly, and well-prepared. It is very important to study the job description and the employer to learn about what initiatives you will be working on.” Students are also encouraged to bring along a portfolio of accomplishments which they can use to strengthen their statements in the interview.
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Take initiative – “Young and aspiring public servants should continuously show initiative, especially at times of uncertainty,” says Christopher Gunn who admits he had initial challenges learning statistical programming when starting his co-op position at the Ontario Ministry of Finance. “Because I was able to identify the technical skills I needed to develop, I worked around the clock to self-teach myself, and asked for assistance from Senior Economists who were more than willing to help.” (The MPS program has now added a Research Methods and Data Analysis class for current and future students.)
- Find a mentor – John Johnston knows first-hand that seeking mentorship is essential for every young professional starting their public service career. “Mentors can help you navigate the work environment and provide insight on how to succeed,” says Johnston. “Finding a mentor can be as easy as asking someone to coffee for tips and advice. The most important thing is building a relationship with someone who wants to help you along your career path.”
MPS Talks was a great success, and demonstrates how the program continues to build a culture of learning and support between new and senior students, as well as alumni.
Good luck to all of our current students with their applications and interviews!