Noah Laycock remembers the moment his career path started to take shape. A mentorship session with Trigger Advertising’s creative director gave him insight that no classroom could provide.
“It was amazing hearing all the information from somebody who actually had the experience—it was a half an hour conversation that maybe saved me 20 years of my life. The mentorship program is huge,” said Noah Laycock, a fourth-year Broadcast Media Studies major at MRU, now a weekend director at CityNews.
For Mikaela Delos Santos, the impact of career services became apparent during her job search.
“It wasn’t until I actually started going to interviews that I remembered things that were said in career services,” said Delos Santos, an MRU Broadcast Media graduate and now an associate producer at CBC.
For many students, the transition from university to the workforce is daunting. There is fierce competition, job expectations are high, and navigating the industry without guidance can feel overwhelming.
With Alberta’s workforce expanding—adding nearly 100,000 jobs in 2024, according to Alberta’s labour market review—more students are turning to post-secondary programs to stay competitive.
The power of career services
Mount Royal University (MRU) offers career-focused programs to bridge the gap between academia and real-world employment. Through career services, students gain the tools to stand out, from resume-building workshops to interview coaching and mentorship programs that connect them with industry professionals.
“Career services helped to connect the theoretical learning that I was doing in my program with the practical knowledge I was gaining from my hobbies, volunteering, and creating work of my own,” said Laycock.
Career mentorship becomes even more valuable for third-year students as they explore credit-free internships and work experiences that enhance their career prospects. These opportunities provide firsthand exposure to industry realities, something students might not otherwise encounter in their coursework.
“During my mentorship program, I got a chance to speak with a creative director. He explained how the industry works [and] what it’s actually like out there. I was sitting there thinking, ‘Wow, I had no idea. No one’s ever told me this,’” said Laycock.
Bridging the gap between work and school
The career mentorship program at MRU is free to join. It allows students to browse available mentors online and connect with professionals in their desired industries. The goal isn’t just to land students jobs but to prepare them to become the best candidates in an ever-evolving job market.
“Students still find the opportunities themselves, but career services provide amazing tools to approach the evolving job market with and share great and relevant advice,” Delos Santos added.
Ultimately, career services exist to support students, but they don’t guarantee employment. Instead, they equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and resources to carve their career paths. The payoff can be life-changing for those willing to take advantage of the programs available.