Networking

Recently, I’ve participated in some events in the Faculty of Education that I believe is helping me network with other professionals, immerse myself into the world of teaching, and grow as a teacher, in terms of the professional competencies. I feel as though I am really developing Competency 11, which addresses professional development.

For the past two years, I’ve volunteered at the Faculty of Education Career Fair, which was a really fun and eye-opening experience. During the 2014 Career Fair, I got a really great behind the scenes look into who’s who in the teaching world, and I got to interact with these people on a professional level. Being a part of the Fair is so much more rewarding than simply visiting it as a student because I had the chance to meet the employers on a more personal level, to greet them, and to make myself seen by the different schoolboard/organizations.

Walking around, I got a really good idea of the main “players” and of what would be available to me once I graduated with my teaching degree. This year, I once again was excited to help out during the Fair, especially because I was looking forward to seeing any new faces and new employers. Volunteering at the Career Fair introduced me to some really great people at McGill, including students and administrators, and it is helping me network with essential people in the world of education and teaching in Montreal.

Another interesting experience was volunteering during the Speed Networking Event for the Faculty of Education. Although this event is reserved for graduating students who are looking for employment opportunities, being a part of it really helped me get to know the employers that are recruiting teachers. It also showed me how this event happens, which will be helpful to me if I decide to participate in it when I am a fourth year student. Overall, it was exciting to see graduating students get ready for the professional world, since it is a big leap to make. Once again, engaging with other professionals and getting a chance to immerse myself in the professional world of teaching is helping me develop Competency 11.

Update: I wanted to include here another event that I recently attended, which was an Awards Reception in the Faculty of Education to celebrate student achievement and donor support. Because I received a scholarship from my faculty, I got to attend this reception and mingle with other award recipients and donors. It was a real privilege to be invited and I definitely took to opportunity to meet new people and get to know those who work or who will work in the same field as me. I got to ask older students about their field experiences, and express my gratitude to the faculty for supporting me in my studies. I liked having yet another opportunity to network and to reflect on the field of education with other professionals.

In the future, I hope to have the opportunity to connect with more professionals, either in person or through online networks, which I’ve been learning a lot more about this past semester. In doing so, I know I’ll improve as a teacher and I’ll have access to support as a beginning teacher in the field.

#MELSCompetency11