Graham Donald President, Brainstorm Strategy Group Mark Franklin Practice Leader, CareerCycles

1. Welcome!How to Use This Summer to Research Your University OptionsA Webinar for Grade 11 Students and their Parents[The presentation will begin in a few moments.]

2. How to Use This Summer to Research Your University OptionsA Webinar for Grade 11 Students and their Parents Graham Donald President, Brainstorm Strategy Group Mark Franklin Practice Leader, CareerCycles Ron Byrne Vice-President, International & Student Affairs, Mount Allison University

3. A few logistics • You should be able to hear my voice! • Your line is muted; but you can ask questions by typing in the question box • We’ll do our best to answer a few questions during the presentation and more at the end

4. 1st Poll Question • Who is on the line? • I’m a student attending on my own • I’m a student attending with 1 or more parent(s) • I am a parent attending on my own • We are parents attending together • Teacher or counsellor • Other

5. Introducing the Panel Mark Franklin Practice Leader, CareerCycles Ron Byrne Vice-President, International & Student Affairs, Mount Allison University Graham Donald President, Brainstorm Strategy Group

6. This is one in a series of presentations… • Email jacquie@brainstorm.ca to ensure you hear about future events • Additional webinars • In-person half-day workshop in late September for Grade 12s and their parents • Making the best university choice • Succeeding in university • The changing role of parents

7. Everyone’s situation is different • This is not about telling you what to do • Sharing knowledge and experience • Most of you will have questions about the future and how it is likely to unfold • There is no one “right way”

8. Make the best use of this summer • Seek the best “fit” for you by learning more about the schools that interest you • Learn more about your interests and strengths through experiences this summer • Tap into your network to learn more from the experiences of others • Avoid a rushed decision by making good use of this time

9. Two key insights • For students: if you feel comfortable, inspired, excited to learn and connected to others, you will be far more likely to succeed in university. • For parents: it can be helpful to imagine you are advising/supporting the son or daughter of a good friend.

10. Careers & Education • Interconnected decisions • A clear path is extremely rare • Not final decisions; continuous decisions • The world of work has changed – and continues to change • Career building is an evolving, life-long process

11. What employers want • “Job ready” • Relevant work experience • Good grades • Complete person: extra-curricular • Fundamental transferable skills: verbal communications; analytical; strong work ethic; teamwork; problem-solving; taking initiative and interpersonal skills

12. The ability to network is the most important career exploration and job search skill you will develop.

13. What can you do with a degree in Sociology? • Now speaking: • Mark Franklin, practice leader of

14. Match the degree with the career! DEGREE • Sociology • Physics • Aerospace eng’g • Fine arts CAREER Translator Private web design business Investment Advisor Communications Consultant for National Biking Association • 2nd Poll Question • Colours match, e.g. Sociology leads to Translator • Arrows match, e.g. Sociology leads to Private web designer Source: FUTURE in FOCUS, CCDF

15. Answer: Arrows match DEGREE • Sociology • Physics • Aerospace engineering • Fine arts CAREER Private web design business Investment Advisor Communications Consultant for National Biking Association Translator • Careers may be influenced by educational choices, but often less than you expect. Source: FUTURE in FOCUS, CCDF

16. You are not your degree! • What can I do with a degree in Sociology? Wrong question! • Ann’s career story in broadcasting • But what about professional degree programs? • TipStart thinking about the degree as one piece of a larger career and life puzzle

17. Then, what’s university really about? • “Transferrable skills” like research and writing = strengths employers want • Personal qualities like investigative mindset, focus, dedication • Expanded network, clarifying experiences, uncovering fascination • If it’s not about job training, what is? • TipName the skills you’re learning, and you’ll own them. Parents: help spot strengths!

18. Part of “fit” means enjoying the learning • Is this something you’re attracted to and want to do? • Does the program and faculty focus on your interests? • Will it be meaningful to you? • Or will you say the “four year degree was a complete waste of time.” • TipMake choices for fundamental reasons rather than instrumental ones

19. Career clarity emerges. It’s okay not to know Experience, e.g. co-op, volunteer, job • What works • What doesn’t work • Adopt a career building mindset, less focus on ‘hot jobs’ • TipFind out about non-academic opportunities. Co-op? Work-study? Volunteer? Exchange? Effective conversation “career guidance… in which a dialogue takes place with the student about concrete experiences and which is focused on the future, contributes most to the presence of career competencies among students.” (Kuijpers, Meijers, Gundy, 2010)

20. Career plans? Or, career planning 1. Winning careers, like winning start-ups, are in permanent beta: always a work in progress. There is real planning going on, even if there are no firm plans.–LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, & Ben Casnocha in “The Start-up of You” 2. Make excellent mistakes.–Dan Pink in “The Adventures of Johnny Bunko” • TipDiscuss the two quotes… Maybe on the car ride this summer while visiting campuses.

21. Parents can be their children’s biggest obstacle or their greatest ally • Under-involved? Over-involved? • Parents can spot and support strengths, desires, personal qualities, assets • Three roles: clarifiers, connectors, supporters • Tip Avoid focusing on specific careers. Ask non-threatening, stimulating questions… • What did you like about that project? • What connections are you making between your interests and possible careers? Adapted from: Parents as Career Coaches

22. Three key takeaways • Focus on transferrable skills and growing fascination, not on degree = career • Enjoy the learning. Get experience. Talk about it. • Keep asking ‘what did you like?’ and be confident that clarity will emerge

23. Choosing the Right University: It’s All About Fit! • Now speaking: • Ron Byrne, Vice-President, International & Student Affairs, Mount Allison University

24. Your Needs and Wants • Ask the Right Questions • What am I looking for in a university education? • Do I know what I want to study or am I looking forward to experimenting? • If certain, what do I need to gain entry? • If not certain, when do I have to declare a major? 3rd Poll Question: How many of you think you already know what you will be studying?

25. Narrowing the Search • Time consuming • Investment NOT cost • Done well, you will be positioned for success • Partnership is best (more about this later)

26. Key Elements of the Search • Academic Fit • Are the wanted programs available? • What type of work is normally assigned and does this type of work suit my learning style (eg. group work vs. individual work) • Am I immediately locked into a program or am I encouraged to “experiment”? • Tip: Be sure to ask about the quality of the programs and see if you have opportunities to do “independent” work?

27. Narrowing the Search, continued • Social & Extracurricular • Am I interested in activities outside the classroom? • What activities are available and does the institution have expectations regarding community involvement? • Will I be comfortable here for 4 or 5 years? • Tip Ask the recruitment and admissions staff if they can recommend Facebook, Twitter, other social media sites for you to contact existing students about their experience

28. Narrowing the Search, continued • Learning Inside & Outside the Classroom • Am I interested in learning experiences outside the classroom? If so, does the university offer these and how do I get to access to these opportunities? • Are there international and study abroad opportunities? How many students participate in these? • What kinds of supports are available outside the classroom? • Tip Be prepared with a list of questions to ask the recruitment and admissions staff about these opportunities

29. Parents as a Resource • Planning ahead: • Developing a system for keeping track of materials received • Financial matters: Now is the time to discuss the realities with your student • Plan for a campus visit and be prepared to ask the types of questions we have already mentioned and the others you may have • Be prepared to offer support and guidance • Tip Encourage students to establish a separate e-mail address for the university process

30. The Three Takeaways • Choose the Right University for YOU • Have fun with campus visits and ask lots of questions • Helping, not hindering

31. Q & A Graham Donald President, Brainstorm Strategy Group Mark Franklin Practice Leader, CareerCycles Ron Byrne Vice-President, International & Student Affairs, Mount Allison University For further information or questions, please contact: jacquie@brainstorm.ca

32. A few final words • Embarking on a very exciting journey • Start early to lessen the work later and support informed decisions • Plan your research & visits and build your list of questions • Use (and grow) your network

33. Thank you for participating! • Additional webinars • In-person half-day workshop in late September for Grade 12s and their parents • Making the best university choice • Succeeding in university • The changing role of parents

34. Q & A Graham Donald President, Brainstorm Strategy Group Mark Franklin Practice Leader, CareerCycles Ron Byrne Vice-President, International & Student Affairs, Mount Allison University For further information or questions, please contact: jacquie@brainstorm.ca