DURHAM COLLEGE
Vibrant Durham College and Ontario Tech Job Fair connects students directly with employers

Nearly 2,700 students and alumni from Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University, connected with 85 employers at the annual on-campus Job Fair last week, exploring full-time, part-time and seasonal opportunities.

"The event went extremely well for both employers and students," said Lucy Romao Vandepol, Director of Student and Career Development. "I heard great feedback from employers who had good conversations with students and were impressed with the skill and experience they had."

The fair featured positions spanning a broad range of industries and included representatives from Ontario Power Generation, General Motors, the Toronto Blue Jays and Ontario Parks.

Dan Dunstan, Human Resources Business Partner at the Toronto Zoo, said his team was preparing for the summer peak season with over 30 positions available in areas such as guest-facing roles, horticulture, materials collection, custodial work, and seasonal wildlife care.

"It's one of the busiest job fairs there is," he said. "It gives us a good chance of connecting with students here at Durham College and we've also been in the process of building partnerships for our co-op programs at the college as well."

Captain Mathieu Savage of the Nunavik Police Services in northern Quebec also attended, looking for candidates with strong values from diverse backgrounds.

"In order to have the most efficient team possible, I think variety is what you're looking for," he said. "If I have a good mix of men and women, younger and older, different cultures and backgrounds, schooling, life experience - then when we do have a situation or problem, everyone won't have the same solutions and someone may have an excellent solution they draw from their experience or background."

Students attending the event said they enjoyed meeting employers and learning about what they are looking for. Among them was Nadim Gutto, a second-year Electrical Engineering Technician student.

"The employers I have spoken with have been really helpful, including helping me tailor my resume towards their specific jobs," he said. "Some of them have a different view about how a well-structured resume looks."

Tavia Wilson, Spa Director at The Pearle Spa in Burlington, was specifically looking to meet with massage therapy students, but she had general tips for anyone looking for a job at her company.

"When you're applying for any position at the spa, change your resume so it's not like every other job you're applying for," she said. "It makes me aware that you've actually done research on our company and the position you're applying for instead of just firing off resumes, so really hone in on why I should look at your resume."

For those who missed this event, there is another opportunity to connect with more than 45 employers at the Whitby Campus Job Fair on February 13. To learn more about upcoming employment events and to access resources, including resume help, visit the Hired Portal.