Astrid Heyer, Director of French Studies in Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MLLC), and MLLC Chair Jean Ntakirutimana are preparing for the Career Health Rendez-vous event, held Tuesday, Feb. 26 in Market Hall.Speaking French could be the ticket to a range of jobs across the Niagara region.
An event designed specifically to highlight employment opportunities for students who speak French is coming to Brock on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
The first-ever Career Health Rendez-vous will be hosted by the French Health Network of Central and Southwestern Ontario in partnership with Brock’s Co-op, Career and Experiential Education (CCEE) and the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MLLC) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Market Hall.
While offering direct access to more than 25 French-speaking employers, the event will also encourage students to explore their own French-language competency and the varying linguistic proficiency needed for different types of local jobs.
Astrid Heyer, Director of French Studies in MLLC, said the career fair will provide a new perspective for students who speak French at any level.
“We think the event will be beneficial for francophone students as well as for students who have taken French in high school and want to stay in touch with the language,” she said. “It will be an inclusive event that will inform them about the possibilities of using their French in the professional world.”
For students who feel unsure about their French abilities, there will be complimentary 10-minute speaking evaluations that will simulate interviews and provide the chance to practise casual conversations in order to evaluate workplace readiness.
Participating employers at the event include a French-speaking child-care centre, college, health centre and newspaper.
With such a diverse range of employers participating, Heyer hopes those in attendance will see the potential French-speaking jobs can offer to students from all of Brock’s Faculties.
“It’s a wide-ranging event with many different careers on display,” she said. “It can lead to jobs right now as well as more in-depth professional opportunities in the future.”
MLLC Chair Jean Ntakirutimana said the fair also reinforces Brock’s commitment to its French-speaking students and to all residents of the Niagara region.
“We know one of the missions of Brock is to be a university that is linked to the community, and the francophone population is a very important part of that community,” he said.
Students wishing to participate can register on the CareerZone website.
