Waterloo Works/Jobmine
Despite requests for more information, I have not yet received an explanation for Waterloo Works. That said, I have started a discussion with key players in CECS to discuss how to improve Jobmine. One step being seriously considered is promoting and encouraging student developers to improve Jobmine usability. I can’t make any promises at the moment, but I will be pushing hard on this issue.
When I have greater clarification about the plan going forward, we will be sending out a survey to get feedback on what are top priorities for fixing in Jobmine and what are top priorities to see in any new system.
Co-op
Employment numbers are thus far up from last year, but still continue to be a challenge, especially for first-year students. Try and expand your outlook and try and talk to upper-year students or CECS about what you can do to improve your résumé and employability.
8-Month Work Terms
The faculty is considering adding the option for upper-year students to take 8-month work terms. It is up to individual departments to decide, but it seems like a reasonable possibility, especially for departments with both 4 and 8 streams. Expect a survey in the near future.
Professional Development
PD20 is running smoothly for the first-year 4-stream students. There was a 97% participation rate and 91% pass rate for the midterm, and there has been relatively positive feedback thus far. Staff are of course still sensitive to concerns and are always thinking about improving the experience.
A note about student-faculty relations
I should note that many issues place faculty and students in opposition. For example, I believe every faculty member should undergo some training prior to teaching classes. Obviously, this is a direct imposition on faculty, so I understand their hesitation. In the case of Waterloo Works, CECS and students are on the same side as we both suffer from Jobmine. Therefore, it is incredibly important to work closely with CECS and others, foster strong relationships and offer constructive criticism and support, not angry insults.
I only have two months left in my term, and I do not wish to give the impression I am jaded and hopeless. There are many members of the faculty and university who are interested in change and who genuinely believe in helping students. For example, I’ve received responses to emails late at night, from hard-working individuals like Gord Stubley in WatPD-Engineering and Rocco Fondacaro in CECS. I genuinely appreciate the support and concern of those two and too many others to name, in assisting students to achieve our objectives. Thanking those faculty members who wish to help us and fostering constructive communication is essential to improving our education.
E-learning
Oh nice, thanks
for share!