Georgian College students got to peer into their potential futures during a career expo today at the Orillia campus.
Given the popularity of Georgian’s police foundations program, police services had a strong presence at the event.
That’s what caught Thomas Thompson’s eye.
“I want to build my resume up and eventually become a police officer,” said the second-year police foundations student. “I think it’s exciting. There’s something new every day, and I’ve wanted to be a police officer since I was a kid.”
Wednesday’s event gave Thompson the opportunity to “learn how to apply to the auxiliary and learn what they’re looking for” in recruits.
It was an eye-opener for his classmate, Alexander Pinheiro, too.
“I’ve learned that volunteering is one of the things that can really set you apart,” said Pinheiro, who, with some of his peers, has volunteered in the past at Orillia’s Lighthouse Soup Kitchen and Shelter.
Police services also encourage students to gain experience in areas that might not seem like they apply to law enforcement, he added.
“You really need good life experience, even a job at Tim Hortons,” Pinheiro said. “Working at Tim Hortons, you’re going to deal with angry customers. In the workforce, you’re going to deal with angry people.”
There were representatives from various other industries in attendance, including Olivia La Brie, talent acquisition co-ordinator with Gateway Casinos.
“Right now, there’s lots of opportunity for growth in our company. There’s a misconception that we’re not hiring. We are,” she said.
The company, which operates Casino Rama, has positions in gaming and hospitality, among others, and La Brie was pleased with the response from students.
“They seem eager and excited,” she said.
Sgt. Michael Bailey had a similar response at his Canadian Forces booth.
“It’s all been very positive,” he said. “It’s been a strong, steady flow of people.”
Students were often asking him about what it takes to join the forces and what career opportunities will be available to them if they join.
“I tell them about the three main criteria: ACE,” he said of the acronym that stands for age, citizenship and education.
