How a job fair changed my life

By Sarah Shruiff

At this time last year I was set to graduate and, like many of my peers, I had no answer to the dreaded question that every graduating student is asked: “Now what are you going to do?” I was excited and terrified by the endless possibilities that lay before me. Eager to begin my career, I attended an upcoming job fair. I was especially eager to speak to Parks Canada.

Upon arrival at the Parks Canada booth, I was greeted with friendly faces and a great discussion about job possibilities. I was excited by the prospect of not only the summer positions that were available across the country, such as the Youth Ambassador or the Youth on Ice programs, but also the phenomenal local student positions. We also discussed the many full-time job opportunities, ranging from Visitor Experience to Resource Conservation, and so much more; the job opportunities with Parks Canada were endless!

Eagerly, I applied for many different positions and was lucky enough to find one close to home as a Visitor Experience student with the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA). This position was responsible for providing information about the site and the region to visitors. The other students and I travelled across the region so that the information we shared with visitors was from first-hand experiences. As part of our orientation, we went on numerous hikes, a boat tour, museum visits, and much more! It was a remarkable opportunity to truly experience the “Big Lake” and share that with others. I would recommend a student position to anyone! I was then encouraged to apply for full-time positions that were available as well. I was successful in obtaining one of these positions, and today I am an Interpretation Officer / Coordinator.

The conversation I had with the Parks Canada staff at the job fair led me to where I am today. Without their information and guidance on where and how to apply, I would not have my current position. I highly encourage anyone looking to start their career, or for a change in their career, to attend local job fairs and reach out. I recently attended two local job fairs at Lakehead University and Confederation College to encourage students to apply for Lake Superior NMCA’s Summer Experience Program. Successful candidates will be responsible for public outreach, interacting with visitors, and working on various site projects. Just like last summer, this year’s students will get to experience the marine conservation area firsthand.

Parks Canada is always searching for qualified applicants from various disciplines to fill numerous full-time and seasonal postings across Canada. There is an entire country full of opportunities! All you have to do, is apply. Find your career with Parks Canada and Lake Superior NMCA by visiting jobs.gc.ca or follow us on social media for information on opportunities available at specific protected areas.

<< Back to shoreLINES