St.F.X.U. Career Centre

Few institutions of higher learning engender stronger feelings of attachment than St. Francis Xavier University. Set in the friendly town of Antigonish in the rolling hills of northeastern Nova Scotia, StFX is a world-class university in a small town setting.

However at some point, every Xaverian must leave the nest and seek opportunities beyond the campus. That’s why Jane MacDonald and her small but mighty staff at the StFX Student Career Centre are in place to help.

“Most of the students coming into our office are looking for help locating employment opportunities or career advice,” says MacDonald, manager of the student career centre. “They need help gathering all the wonderful experience they’ve had at StFX and communicating what they can offer to potential employers.”
The busy centre helps with the transition from undergraduate to advanced studies, or preparing graduating students for their search to find a meaningful career. Through the centre, students can also receive training to prepare a dynamic resume and polish crucial job interview skills.

MacDonald also brings the world to the campus of StFX. The centre arranges to bring employers, recruiters and graduate schools to campus to meet students searching for a potential career choice. Through the year, many companies come to the campus seeking talented, ambitious employees.

Corporate recruiting visits are key to connecting students and potential employers.

“Those companies are looking for fit and personalities,” explains MacDonald. “Employers like the work ethic and positive attitude (of our students). Our students are open to exploring new ideas and enjoy contributing to an organization’s success.”

It’s not uncommon for former Xaverians to come back to campus representing those recruiting corporations. With a former prime minister, leaders of industry, writers, musicians and public servants as alumni, StFX has certainly made its mark on the national and international stage.

MacDonald determines that elusive strength of character comes from the solid community grounding in northeastern Nova Scotia. “It’s about knowing your neighbours. In a smaller community, everyone gets to know everyone. They help each other and create a sense of camaraderie.” It is this sense of “community” that is evident at St. Francis Xavier University.

Each year MacDonald and her small staff — “we are the dynamic duo of two” — assist between 350 and 450 students in their search for career planning and job hunting. “With the smaller office, we’re able to provide better service because we can connect more closely with students — we know most of them on a first-name basis,” says MacDonald, who has worked at the student career office since 1999 and was appointed manager in 2001.

“We have to be able to listen to what students need, and provide service with minimal turnaround time,” says MacDonald. We can contact student societies and faculties directly and ask how we can provide relevant programming and service.” “We also use new technology, creating on-line workshops so students can have access (to our services) 24 hours a day. “Last year, the Student Career Centre developed an on-line workshop on resume writing that was well-used by the student body. Having on-line services helps the office to reach more students.

MacDonald grew up in Antigonish, attended StFX (studying math and computer science) and now works just five minutes from her home. She grew up surrounded by the influence of the university.
“Most of my teachers wore the X-ring,” she says, referring to the iconic university ring, emblazoned with only the distinctive black X, announcing to all that the wearer is a proud graduate of StFX.

As one of the prime employers in the region, the university is a key economic engine and also a cultural and educational centre for the area. Surrounded by picturesque farming land and the Northumberland Strait, the university is settled into a fertile part of the province.

Two hours northeast from Halifax and two hours west of Sydney, students are never far from the city life. “If you need to get to the city, it’s just two hours away,” says MacDonald.

With 4,200 students, the university balances the collegial closeness of small town living with the outward-looking perspective of a cosmopolitan community.

It’s also situated in the heart of Gaelic country, where the Scottish immigrants settled the region in the early 19th century. To this day, the highway signs beside the little rural highways reveal those Scottish roots — Arisaig, Lanark, Beauly, Glen Alpine and Lochaber.

Antigonish County has held fast to its Celtic roots while opening its arms to the wide world. International students arrive from the four corners of the world to study, many attracted by the renowned Coady International Institute.

As Xaverians travel the world for employment and educational opportunities, they spread the word about the charismatic little university in rural Nova Scotia. In the highly competitive “real” world beyond university, it’s essential that students be well prepared to maximize their opportunities.