The document provides advice for students on using the summer break to prepare for graduate school. It recommends exploring program requirements, completing admissions tests, and using campus resources to access practice tests and other application supports. Taking admissions exams in the summer between third and fourth year is suggested to avoid stress during the final year of undergraduate studies.

1. CareerServicesCompass
You have great skills
While students complete their degree at Brock University, they acquire
many transferable skills from their coursework and co-curricular
activities. Transferable skills are skills that are learned in one setting that
can be applied to a variety of other settings. For example, students may
develop communication skills by participating in seminar presentations
and group projects in class. These skills may be directly applied to
workplace tasks such as, presenting information during staff meetings,
delivering training sessions, or collaborating on projects with colleagues.
Transferable skills are what employers look for in potential employees.
Understanding your skills is important when developing your resumé,
interviewing for a job, or researching career possibilities. If you are
uncertain of the skills you are obtaining from your degree, stop by the
Career Resource Centre and check out our series of Degree Exploration
Guides (DEG). You can also access these resources on the Career
Services website under the heading “what can I do with my degree?” You
have great skills — let Career Services help you explore them further.
Tyler Harris, Senior Career Assistant, fourth-year Psychology major
Career Services Compass
The summer break is a great opportunity to explore graduate
school programs and requirements. Most schools ask applicants
to submit a statement of intent, CV or resumé, and prepare a list
of academic references. Depending on the program, an entrance
exam may also be required for admission.
There are many types of admissions tests that are mandatory for
entry into graduate programs. The most common tests tend to be
for professional stream programs such as the MCAT for medical
school and the LSAT for law school, yet there are many others —
depending on the discipline. Students often underestimate the
amount of time that goes into preparing for admissions exams.
Luckily, there are prep courses and resources available to assist
you, and the summer is a perfect opportunity to get started.
Students have found it beneficial to take these exams in the
summer between their third and fourth year of study because they
are not bogged down with homework. Be sure to sign up early to
avoid adding extra stress to your final year. Drop by the Career
Resource Centre to access practice tests for entrance exams and
other resources that can help with your application.
Sarah Mitchinson, Senior Career Assistant, fourth-year Psychology major
Applying to graduate school: Entrance exams
Newsletter | Spring | 2016

2. CareerServicesCompass
School is out, career is in
After eight long months of late nights, assignments and
final exams, summer time is finally here. We might think
it means no more planning for the future or focusing on
school work; this is our time to sleep in and soak up the
sun without a worry in the world, right? Well, not entirely.
Although the summer is a time for us to de-stress, enjoy
the company of loved ones and embrace the warm
weather, it doesn’t mean that planning for the future is
something we should neglect. Whether you are a new
graduate or are near the beginning of your university
experience, it is never too early to start planning for your
career.
Take the summer as an opportunity to focus on ways
to develop skills that can transfer into a career that is
perfect for you. Take time to do self-assessments, engage
in volunteer opportunities or look for jobs or internships
that are relevant to your field of interest. Career Services
has plenty of resources to help you take the next step in
your career search. Drop by with your questions. We’ll be
here all summer!
Lydia Collins, Career Assistant, third-year English Language and
Literature major
After the interview: What now?
Here are a few ways to keep in touch with Career Services:
facebook.com/brockcareerserv
@BrockCareerServ
instagram.com/brockcareerserv/
Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps
instagram.com/brockcareerserv/
So, your interview is done and you’re probably breathing a big sigh of relief. The time that goes into preparing for a job
interview can be daunting and stressful. Although the hard part is over, you may experience the added stress of waiting for a
call back. What happens when you don’t hear anything? What do you do?
Knowing how and when to appropriately follow up is critical. We often advise students to ask questions at the end of their
interview to get a sense of timelines. For instance, asking “What is the next step in the interview process?” and “When will
you be making a final decision?” can help clarify if a second interview is expected and how long they may need to select
a candidate. If you do not hear anything during the specified time provided, a quick follow up phone call or email to the
employer is a good idea. Quickly introduce yourself, let them know you are following up on your interview, and ask if the
position has been filled. If you find out that you were not the successful candidate, use the opportunity to ask the employer for
feedback on your interview and ask them about suggestions for improvement.
Scarlet Stark, Senior Career Assistant, fourth-year Psychology major
B: brockcareerservices.com/
E: career@brocku.ca
W: brocku.ca/career-services