By Jeff Kubik
Despite their shiny new home in the lower level of MacEwan Students’ Centre, Career Services has seen a decline in the number of postings since September 2000. In 2002, full-time job postings were down 48.9 per cent while part-time postings had fallen by 54.5per cent.
On Tues., Mar. 4, Director of Career Services Craig Fortner, addressed the Students’ Legislative Council on the realities of employment in a post September 11 economy.
“I’m doubtful that we’ll ever return to the era of 2000,” said Fortner. “But postings have actually increased over the past five months compared with last year.”
However, despite more postings, Career Services still faces some serious questions. In the face of an economy more reliant on those with a technical education than those with university degrees, how will Career Services maintain its effectiveness?
“We’re spending more time with employers and setting up more e-mail broadcasts,” said Fortner, “We’re continuing to do the one-on-one work; doing more of it.”
E-mail broadcasts aside, Career Services still faces a 15 per cent budget cut over two years.
“The hard decision is cutting out some services that we used to provide but can’t afford to continue,” said Fortner. “Everything’s on the table: co-op/internship, on-campus recruiting and education, and events.”