At some point, you made the decision to stay in Kingston for the summer. You’d find a job, no problem. If, now that we’re well into the summer, you’re regretting that decision—don’t despair. There are several resources within walking distance to help you find a new job.
The Human Resource Centre of Canada for Students (HRCCS) is a good place to start. Located at 299 Concession Street, across the street from The Beer Store, the centre posts student jobs on the national job bank and creates a daily updated job board for students. This job board is easy to scan through to see if there are jobs of interest. Types of jobs posted through the centre vary, including services, manual labour, and child care, to more specialized positions with local firms and charitable organizations. Summer Employment Officers, who are students themselves, are available for one-on-one counseling sessions.
The Odd Job Squad is another service offered by the Human Resource Centre of Canada for Students. As a student, you just sign up and then let the centre know on a day-by-day basis when you are available to work. That includes days off from another job or every day if you wish. Students are given the opportunity to do jobs as employers phone them in throughout the day. So far this summer, the jobs have ranged from lawn care and helping homeowners move to polishing sailboats and setting up convocation ceremonies at Queen’s. Some are a little unusual: “Last summer we had a farmer call in for someone to milk his cows while he was away on vacation. That was the most bizarre job by far,” said Charla Marshall, an employment officer. Kingston Employment and Youth Services (KEYS) is another agency offering help, in partnership with the HRCCS. Located downtown on Sydenham Street, KEYS also offers job postings and one-on-one counseling to students. At KEYS, students can also access provincial programs such as the Summer Job Service. Another KEYS specific program is VIP, where students complete a three-week session consisting of a one-week job search skills session at KEYS, followed by a two-week placement at a volunteer agency in Kingston. This helps students escape the ‘no work, no experience—no experience, no work’ cycle. “It offers valuable work experience and added confidence to students,” said organizer Shauna West.
Both of these employment centres are open Monday to Friday.
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Megan Winkler is an employment officer. She spends her cash at Margaritaville.
HRDC National Job Bank: jb.ge.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
Gov. of Canada Youth Empl Strategy: www.youth.gc.ca
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