Career Specialist Spotlight
Learn more about BCITSA Career Specialist Amy Smith, featured in this month’s Career Specialist Spotlight.
Tell us about yourself and your role at BCITSA Career Services?
As a Career Specialist, my focus is on Computing students. So I support students from Computing programs and work to connect them with employers in the tech industry. I’ve been working with the BCIT Student Association for over 8 years: supporting students and jobseekers has shaped a lot of my current career values and given me purpose.
What is the best part of your job?
Education and the world of work has a lot of power to transform. My favourite part is when I see individuals’ relationship with themselves change as they become aware of their strengths. Many people in career transition struggle to recognize their talents and special qualities, and it is wonderful to see people discover and own their value.
What is one piece of advice you would give to students in relation to their career journey?
Just one?? OK! Whether you’re a student or a seasoned expert, career success (whatever that means to you) generally requires relationship building. Ideally, networking is not about schmoozing and hard sales pitches. Start practicing in the classroom as you build relationships with your peers and instructors. People want to help each other succeed, and what makes them likely to help is having authentic and mutually beneficial conversations and experiences with you.
What’s one thing you can’t live without in your home office?
Our foster job, Jasper! He makes sure I take breaks and go for walks.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I would like to do so many different jobs! My least favourite career cliché is “follow your passion” because for me, passion is developed through learning new things and having new experiences. Most people aren’t born being passionate about engineering, or career development, or accounting. But, if I could wake up tomorrow and do a whole different job, it would be to practice law. I like to argue and persuade. Unfortunately, I do not excel at paperwork and working long hours. So, I wouldn’t make the best lawyer 😉