The top concern for most final-year students in higher institutions is finding employment after graduation.
How they prepare for employment after graduation determines their job market confidence.
TikTok influencer with more than 84 000 followers, award-winning organisational psychologist, career coach, and thought leader Phiona Martin recently inspired 31 final year students of The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall during a career session hosted on campus by the college’s career centre.
Martin focused on three main areas which could guide students in how to step into and make it in the working world. These were job market confidence, networking and researching employment opportunities, and how to make one’s CV stand out.
“I had such a great experience with the final year students. They showed great interest and asked very relevant questions. I’m happy to have imparted knowledge to prepare them for their career journeys after graduation,” said Martin.
She is passionate about helping people transition to gainful employment, enhance employability and navigate various career intersections. She provides regular expert opinions on career development through several media platforms, including her career advice website.
“Questions one can ask them [students] is if they are joining graduate development programmes, applying for entry-level positions, and or using entrepreneurship to develop some skills in the meantime.”
Martin also emphasised the importance of researching informational interview questions. She said the purpose of informational interview questions was to get information, advice, and learn about real-life experiences of that individual in your field of interest.
“It was an honour and a privilege to have Phiona Martin share so much of her knowledge and experience with us during our career session,” said Kerushlen Marie, a third-year IIE Bachelor of Law student and career centre ambassador.
Marie concluded that the session was informative, engaging and very valuable. “I am now aware of the importance of having a LinkedIn profile and of networking within your field of interest but most importantly my key takeout was the great emphasis that Phiona placed on CV skills and what employers and or recruitment agencies look for in one’s CV.”
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