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Dan Rock
B.Sc. in Psychology,
University of Calgary
HR Generalist, Toronto Star,
Summer 2006 |
What did you do during your work term?
My work was primarily project-based. Under the supervision of the Director of Human Resources, I did the following:
- Redesigned and improved new employee orientation through the creation of an online presentation and take-home information package.
- Spearheaded a project to evaluate the status of the company policy manual, and worked with management to generate new and updated policies where needed.
- Consolidated details of benefit coverage for twenty different employee groups into concise summary charts, interpreting minute differences between collective agreements.
- Analyzed various data sets to examine employee trends.
What did you gain the most from your experience?
The most valuable part of the experience was to be able to apply skills and knowledge learned during my studies to real world situations, while interacting and working with professionals functioning in a variety of different areas of human resources and labour relations. I was able to better understand how a human resources/labour relations department functions, and how the various functions work together to serve the needs of employees within the organization.
How do you feel your experience prepared you for your future work?
The experience increased my confidence in my skills and abilities, and helped me to determine the kind of position I would like to work in. The process of applying and interviewing for jobs has better prepared me to market myself when seeking full-time employment after graduation.
What advice would you give to future summer work term students?
Take advantage of all the resources and opportunities made available to you. Visit the career centre to practice your interviewing skills and have your résumé reviewed. Apply for and interview with as many companies as possible. Even if you don't get the job you will learn from the experience and you may even make a contact for future employment opportunities. Stay committed and work hard to secure a position. You get out of the experience what you put in, both in finding a job and when you are working. You have the ability to make the summer work term as valuable an experience as you want.
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Erin Jonasson
BA in Psychology,
University of Guelph
CHRM, U of T Woodsworth College
HR Generalist, GE Multilin,
Summer 2005 |
What did you do during your work term?
Under the supervision of the Human Resource Manager, I worked on the following projects:
- Compensation - I conducted a market analysis on the compensation plan for hourly associates and presented my findings and recommendations to the Senior HR Manager and the senior leadership team. After I left, my report was presented to the General Manager and several of my recommendations have since been implemented.
- Recruiting – I was involved in the hiring for positions of production associates up to senior management roles.
- Employee Handbook – I compiled the initial draft of an employee handbook for both the Canadian sites of GE Multilin.
- Benefits - I led a initiative to digitize the benefits process so employees could self serve online.
What did you gain the most from your experience?
I gained confidence, and was able to develop invaluable professional relationships that were very influential in helping me to secure my current position with GE.
How do you feel your experience prepared you for your future work?
I am currently working as an HR Generalist with GE Money. My work term experience helped me to learn the value of building relationships at work. I learned how to follow up and ensure you get what you need from other people who have other priorities that often supersede the projects that you are working on. I also gained great experience with multi-tasking and managing multiple projects at once.
What advice would you give to future summer work term students?
Make the most out of your work term assignment. Don't wait for people to ask you to get involved in a project, but be proactive and ask what you can get involved in. This will make your experience so much more valuable. In addition, take time to get to know people you are working with and build relationships with them.
GE Student Intern/Co-op Contribution Award
Each year GE recognizes outstanding contributions to its business from a co-op student. Several students are nominated and a winner is chosen by a committee who reviews the work and accomplishments made by these students. Erin Jonasson was the winner of the 2005 GE Student Intern/Co-op Contribution Award. Erin received recognition throughout the many businesses of GE, and was also awarded a sum of cash for her accomplishment. Congratulations Erin!
The following are selected excerpts from student work term reports
My work experience at GE Multilin was very enriching. The responsibilities that I was given during the summer reflect that my managers did not treat me as a student but rather I felt that I was part of the HR team.
- Beatrice Moos, Human Resources Generalist,
GE Multilin, Summer 2006
I gained extensive skills in research, analyzing, interpretation, negotiating, interviewing, spreadsheet and report development, and communication. This experience enhanced both my professional and personal growth.
- Lindsay Foley, Research Assistant,
First Contract Negotiations,
SEIU Local 1.on, Summer 2006
The [summer work term] provided a wealth of contacts and much needed real-world experience. I was able to secure part-time employment with Towers Perrin for the remainder of my degree, and was encouraged to interview for a full-time position.
- Ramsey Abuelsamid, Compensation Analyst,
Towers Perrin, Summer 2006
I was able to apply course work in helping with the development of a new mentoring program through the Environment Canada Youth Network. On a team of seven Environment Canada employees, I had some valuable contributions to make thanks to the work I had done during the Diversity in the Workplace course.
- Cathia Badière, Student Program Administrator,
Environment Canada , Summer 2005
-Cathia is currently working as a
Consultant for Prism Economics and Analysis in Toronto .
The [summer work term] was a great experience; especially the exposure to the automotive industry and labour relations in this environment. The opportunity to attend opening sessions of negotiations and to learn details of the strike in the Oshawa plant certainly strengthened my interest in labour relations.
-Tara Irwin, Labour Relations Researcher,
TDS Automotive, Summer 2004
-Tara is currently working as a
Dispute Resolution Officer for AMAPCEO
(Association of Management, Administrative and
Professional Crown Employees of Ontario).
