When I finished the Holland College Journalism program, I looked for a reporting job on PEI. To stay on top of my job search, gain experience, and network, I did some videography work, I was constantly reworking my resumé, and I looked for photo and story opportunities to submit to local newspapers.
While this helped slowly build my portfolio, it wasn’t paying the bills, so I took the first job I could find.
I began working on a blueberry farm in Cardigan. As much as I enjoyed it, I knew I wanted to be a writer, and from my experience in journalism, I wanted a job where I could meet people who are doing extraordinary things.
However, working on the farm set the wheels in motion. My supervisor worked with an amazing program called The Adventure Group.
This organization provides customized programs to help participants build a solid foundation that includes stable housing, childcare, employment skills, self-confidence, financial literacy, a strong social network, and much more.
In July 2019, I was selected to attend the Adventure Group’s Prosper program. This seven-week program allowed me to expand my resumé with skills and training such as CPR, Standard First Aid, Food Safety, and many other courses, all while being paid to attend. The facilitators of the Prosper program offered job references and letters of recommendation as well.
I knew the program was there to help me find work. What I didn’t know was the journey I would travel before I reached that point.
I learned the life stories of the other participants, the things they had overcome, the struggles that were still holding them back, and the places they wanted to go in life.
I left the Prosper program with many new skills, and they even provided a job coach to help me figure out how my skills and my job aspirations could line up.
My job coach scheduled an informational interview with the staff of The Employment Journey, and although they weren’t hiring, I was assured they would keep me in mind if they heard of any opportunities.
Shortly after, my job coach called to say she’d heard from The Employment Journey manager that a new short-term opportunity was available at the Career Development Association of PEI (CDA of PEI). With funding through the provincial government, I was able to begin that job in October.
Many of the skills learned through journalism have been beneficial to my present job. I am constantly writing everything from emails to information pieces for social media and the CDA of PEI website, which I was able to redesign and add content. I was recently hired part-time by The Employment Journey as a promoter of their publication and website.
Looking back, the training provided by Holland College and the services offered by The Adventure Group were instrumental in my present job. As I continue on this journey and meet so many career development professionals and explore where they work, my career interests are evolving, and I am certain these opportunities have set me up for future success.
The training services I have mentioned are just a few of the many opportunities available to help Islanders continue on their path to employment. To learn more about the education and training opportunities available in your community, visit www.employmentjourney.com/education-training.
About CDA of PEI
The association is a network of career professionals, career influencers, community partners, post-secondary institutions and individuals committed to providing leadership to strengthen career development programs and initiatives on PEI.
The objectives:
- Increase public awareness of the career development field
- Advocate for services that strengthen the continued growth of career development
- Promote networking opportunities, professional development and resource sharing
- Disseminate information on developments occurring in the field provincially and nationally
- Advance career development and the capacity of the profession to respond effectively to all clients and stakeholders in an ever-changing work environment
For more about CDA of PEI, visit www.cdapei.ca or email [email protected].
March 2020 Issue
Page 11
by Ethan Paquet, Coordinator of Career Development Association of PEI (CDA of PEI)