Career & Financial Advice

Fernando Jesus Medina Moreno’s university experience was so much more than what he learned in the classroom. The Bachelor of Business Administration student from Mexico City got involved in many different aspects of university life. Throughout these experiences, he picked up many important soft skills as well as the knowledge he gained from his courses. He graduates this June and hopes to work for a marketing agency on Vancouver Island. 

Liette Masse graduated from the Bachelor of Tourism Management program in 2019. She came back as a mature student because she wanted an undergraduate degree on her resumé to complement her extensive work experience. She now works as Manager of Donor and Alumni Relations at VIU.

Taryn Walker graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Hospitality Management. After working in various positions in the hospitality and tourism industries, she is now VIU’s Alumni Relations Coordinator.

This blog series shares the stories of VIU alumni to help inspire the next generation of learners. In this blog, Taryn tells me more about her career path and what skills she has acquired over the years that have come in handy in other positions.

Alexis Gardner graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts, major in Sociology, and minor in Gender Studies. Alexis originally thought she would become a counsellor or professor but then found a passion for community outreach and social innovation. She is currently employed in the social service industry with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Victoria, as their Senior Mentoring and Outreach Coordinator.

Chelsea Marsolais is a peer facilitator with Career Studio, a new service at VIU that assists students with writing resumés and cover letters, interview skills and career exploration.

She recently helped Joe, a VIU student whose last name we agreed not to use.

One of the questions I get asked frequently is how to best tailor a resumé to a specific job to increase the chances of getting called for an interview.

Think of the job posting as the employer’s “wish list.” With that in mind, don't be afraid to apply if you don’t fulfill the entire wish list. If you feel confident that the job is a fit, you are motivated to do the job and feel that you have the skills to get the work done, apply! 

In the resumé, your objective is to show the employer all the ways that you meet their needs. The employer wants to know three things:

Are you looking for help with writing a resumé or cover letter? Want some advice on how to prepare for an interview? Wondering what career options might be a good fit? This fall the Centre for Experiential Learning is launching a new service, called Career Studio, to deliver services vital to building lifelong career planning skills.

The school year is over, warmer weather is on the horizon, and you may be starting the search for a summer job. Whether that job is in your field of study or not, it’s important to understand what employers are looking for.

“Regardless of how strong your ‘hard’ or technical skills are, ‘soft’ skills are key,” says VIU Career Services Officer Paula Deering.

It’s the first week of summer session! This issue of the Pulse is your guide to success this semester, including how to access student services, the library’s getting started guide, on-campus work opportunities and pub hours. Also don’t forget to check out our tips on getting ready financially for the next year.

Applying for scholarships, awards and bursaries requires a lot of planning and preparation. The key is to start early – before Grade 12! – and get strategic. Here are five tips to help you prepare.