In Principio v16 no1 (2005)

STUDENT I SERVICES EMPLOYMENT & CAREERS OFFICER AT STUDENT SERVICES 2005 brings a new member of staff to Student Services with the appointment of Susie Spensley to the newly created position of Employment & Careers Officer. This position has been developed to counsel Notre Dame students in terms of their career paths and employment opportunities. In doing this Ms Spensley proposes to create a series of workshops for students in job seeking, writing applications, and learning about interview skills - the first of which is scheduled to commence this month. Notre Dame's website is also going to be a focus as Ms Spensley would like to further develop the site to become the first port of call for students seeking careers advice. "I also intend to ensure that graduate employers and companies are aware of the high calibre of the students that are coming out of Notre Dame," she said. Ms Spensley has a fundamental understanding of what employers are looking for in their future employees through her background in psychology and managing recruitment strategies for a corporate management consulting firm. The Alumni Association is also a network in which Ms Spensley plans to utilise. "I want to encourage students to be proactive and give them a foundation for seeking employment that • Employment & Careers Officer, Susie Spensley. " I look forward to assisting the Alumni Association in developing Career Net where we can create a mentor relationship between alumni and current students. Notre Dame's alumni have been out in the workforce and understand f irst-hand the issues and challenges faced with graduates seeking employment. They will they will continue to draw upon for the rest of their working lives. I would like to post careers information on the site as well employment opportunities, vacation work and also encourage employers to list available positions within their companies." prove to be a valuable resource for our students." Students also have the opportunity to attend personal appoint– ments with Ms Spensley to discuss their individual career needs. She can be located in the new Students Services Office on High Street. COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY - ON THE BEAT, THROUGH FREMANTLE The Commencement Ceremony for 2005 literally went off with bang as Notre Dame's staff and students were led in a procession through the streets of Fremantle by 30 percussionists from WASAMBA - Fremantle's carnival drummers. event to support the commencement of our new students. The medical school students were also a welcome addition this year, as was their school mascot - aptly named, 'The Guinea Pig'." Director of Student Services, Tracey Bahen said "Of the 7 years that the Commencement Ceremony has been running, this was the biggest turn out yet with over 900 people in attendance. It was fantastic to see the Notre Dame community gather for this The 2005 Student Association is led by new Student President Rebecca Hall and executive members Vice President Sunili Govinnage, Secretary Nick Marouchtchak, and Treasurer Matthew Maughan. Ms Hall said the Student Association has many goals that they would like to achieve in 2005. "We are working towards increasing student participation in a wide number of categories including sport, campus ministry, clubs and social events. We also want to ensure that students are well informed of the support that the association can provide them." "The Student Association would also like to further develop the University's cultural environment and provide an avenue for talented students to share their gifts through music and drama," she said. w • 2005 Student President, Rebecca Hall.