1.5: Acquire Work Experience and Learn Professional Etiquette

Gain Business Work Experience

College and university students often wonder how they will gain business work experience. Many work part-time jobs while attending school, but these jobs are usually entry-level service jobs paying minimum wage. Some students have no work experience or have never worked in Canada. Most students hope to work in the field they are studying after they graduate. So, how can you gain business experience in your field of study that will help you obtain a job after you graduate?

Review the list below for some ideas on how to gain work experience:

• Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience. When you volunteer, you meet people, and these people could become references for you when you are searching for your next job. You also gain skills and knowledge that could be applied to future jobs.  Employers like to see that you have given back to the community or volunteered your time to help others — it says good things about your character.
• Internships and Co-op Placements are good ways to gain work experience, build your professional network, learn new skills, and apply what you have learned in school.
• Freelance projects can be a flexible way to build expertise. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer numerous opportunities to work on real-world projects.
• Experiential course projects can help you gain real business experience. Many institutions offer experiential course projects whereby you complete a real business project as part of your course. Riipen is a work-based learning platform to help educators, organizations, and learners collaborate on real industry projects to bridge the gap between education and employment. This approach is particularly effective for tech-oriented fields. These types of projects can be added to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
• Gain leadership experience by joining student clubs or societies. Many colleges and universities have their own Enactus (entrepreneurship) chapter and Toastmasters (public speaking) club. Some institutions have badges, micro-credentials, specialized academic certificates, or stackable credentials for leadership, Indigenous Knowledges, entrepreneurship, global perspectives, sustainability, etc.
• Gain practical experience by participating in workshops and lab sessions.
• Gain business experience by getting involved in student-run businesses or start-ups.
• Gain skills by utilizing online platforms to learn new skills. Some institutions provide free access to LinkedIn Learning, which houses many courses on various subjects.

The Careers and Co-op office within your institution may provide support and resources that will help you find part-time work while you are studying and/or a co-op placement (if this is an option within your program).

Practice Business Etiquette

Business etiquette is a type of social and business behaviour that team members (whether at school or work) are expected to exhibit. It includes how people communicate, dress, and conduct themselves in meetings and social events. Adhering to business etiquette can help foster positive relationships and a harmonious work environment. Some examples of business etiquette include treating others with courtesy and consideration, controlling your emotions and actions, being accountable for your actions and obligations, and meeting deadlines and admitting mistakes.

Professionalism is a broad concept that includes a person’s attitude, work ethic, and conduct. It also involves being punctual, dressing appropriately, and having a positive attitude. Business etiquette is a key component of professionalism. Some of the traits of professionalism include being dependable and accountable, demonstrating a sense of etiquette, making ethical decisions, being a team player, and maintaining a positive outlook.