When I started at Career Services, someone asked me what I thought my biggest challenge in this role would be. I feared that, unlike in my previous role as an academic advisor, I wouldn’t get the opportunity to follow students’ journeys and see where they wound up. I was so wrong.

In November 2024, I worked with a student on their CV and statement of interest for a master’s program application. About a year after our first meeting, they booked another appointment with me, this time for a resumé review to apply for a practicum within that program. Yes, they got in!

Beyond celebrating their acceptance into the master’s program, I also found it so neat that we could provide them with that continued support even as an alum – a great reminder that our impact doesn’t end at graduation.

More and more students are coming to us for career counselling right from their first or second year. Some arrive with clear long-term goals and want to have conversations about how competitive things are, how to stay focused and how to leverage all resources available on campus to strategically package and position themselves for future opportunities. Others come unsure of what path to pursue or where to begin. In either case, it’s always a privilege to walk alongside each student as they navigate their career journey.

In addition to graduate and professional school planning, students come in for career planning, job search strategies, resumé and cover letter reviews, LinkedIn profile reviews, interview preparation and mock interviews. Grad and professional school applications are one of my favourite things to help with because I didn’t get any support with my own. I applied largely because it felt like the default path rather than a decision grounded in clear guidance or reflection. I see myself in these students, and I want to help them avoid the mistakes I made. But I’m careful not to impose my thoughts. We explore their options together. 

Even if you already know what you want to be, you can still learn more about where you’re headed. It’s also okay if you don’t know – knowing what you don’t like is a big step. At the end of the day, helping a student gain more clarity and make an informed decision is what I treasure the most in this role. 

My advice for students? Even if you’re not looking for a job, attend a career fair. Come to the upcoming Get to Work Fair. You can learn about professions that you may not even know about and organizations you may not have thought of working for. I’ve seen accounting students target only accounting firms and miss out on school boards, hospitals and all kinds of places that also need accountants. So just come, get ideas, learn new things and meet people. Networking still fills about 70 per cent of open job postings, so meeting people here is a great start. The full list of employers attending our career fairs is usually posted on the MacEwan Life website. Review the list, and get your resume prepared ahead of time for the companies you’re targeting.

Looking back, I smile at the worry I once had about not seeing students’ journeys unfold. I’ve learned that career development isn’t a single conversation but an ongoing partnership. Whether it’s a first-year student exploring possibilities or an alum reaching out at their next milestone, being invited into those moments is a true privilege. My goal is simple: to create a space where students feel supported, informed and empowered to take their next step – wherever that may lead. Career paths are rarely linear, and no one has it all figured out. But you don’t have to navigate it alone.

– Amma Brew-Amponsah, Career Development Specialist, Careers Services