Employment rates in Canada rise, but some students still stress over finding employment
By: Kiersten Haight
Red River College students search for industry-level jobs on March 22, 2018./KIERSTEN HAIGHT
College and university students will be on summer break soon. For some, this thought brings on worry and anxiety about finding employment over the summer.
Professional Photography student Katherine Rudd says finding a summer job is definitely a priority, but also adds extra stress. She attends the Notre Dame Campus at Red River College.
“I’m not employed right now, and just for me in general, it’s because I have anxiety,” said Rudd. “Finding something I feel comfortable doing is hard.”
Rudd would like to find a job as an administrator but says she’s having a hard time working up the courage to apply.
According to Statistics Canada, the unemployment rate in Canada is at its lowest point since 1976. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.7 per cent in December from 5.9 per cent the month before, because the economy generated 78,600 net new positions, including 23,700 full-time jobs.
Despite this, some students are still having difficulty finding a job for the summer.
“School took up too much of my time to work,” says former Red River College student, Chancellor Lamirande. “Right now, I’m looking for jobs with more hours and higher wages, but going forward I plan to look for jobs that offer more benefits and things like insurance plans.”
Lamirande was in the Business Information Technology program and currently works at Gondola Pizza.
“It’s pretty difficult to get jobs in the city. It’s easier to look for them outside of Winnipeg,” said Lamirande. “I’m still trying to apply for a better summer job right now.”
Student Employment Services at both the Notre Dame Campus and the Exchange District Campus of Red River College is committed to ensuring its students are provided with adequate employment supports.
Some of their resources include job search strategies, cover letter and resume writing, interview preparation, employment application forms, and informational interviews.
Their website states that they work with not only current students but also recent graduates and employers. They help students who are seeking several different types of jobs, including employment that specifically takes place over the summer.
