Career Fair opens world of opportunities

Second year nautical science student, Laurier Boudreau’s passion for the sea came from growing up spending summers in Cape St. Mary’s, Nova Scotia, in and around boats

Thursday, March 6, 2014

After completing high school, Boudreau chose to follow his father’s career in the telecommunications industry. He obtained a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto and worked in the wireless industry for ten years before his passion for the sea finally overpowered his previous career choice.

“I felt that since I was changing careers, I couldn’t afford to waste any time,” explained Boudreau. “I needed to start with the best training available so I chose the Marine Institute (MI) because of its reputation for excellence in the nautical science field.”‌

Boudreau was one of the many student volunteers who participated in MI’s Career Fair 2014, which took place from March 5-6.  He views his participation in the annual event as an opportunity to contribute to the institute’s success.

“The event introduces first year students to jobs available upon graduation and for the second and third years students it’s a chance to network with all the top employers in the field and hopefully make a good first impression,” explained Boudreau.

While Boudreau took the opportunity to meet with all marine companies at the exhibition this year, he had his sights set on offshore support companies such as Atlantic Towing Limited, a company he went to sea with last summer.

‌“I completed my first sea phase aboard the Atlantic Hawk, which provided support to the White Rose field located on the Eastern margin of the Jeanne d’Arc Basin,” said Boudreau. “I gained a tremendous amount of practical experience and knowledge and it laid an excellent foundation for my new career on the ocean.”

The value of the annual career fair is not lost on students like Boudreau, who view it as the most important event of the year for its ability to facilitate networking between students and potential employers.

Currently in its 12th year, the MI Career Fair is a two day event which begins with company presentations that allow employers to highlight recent successes and opportunities within their organizations. The career fair exhibition takes place on the second day and provides an excellent forum for networking. It also allows employers, MI alumni and students to showcase themselves to local, national and international employers.

This year the event attracted over 400 students and alumni and showcased 34 employers locally, nationally and internationally. The career fair offers MI students and alumni an opportunity to learn more about the hands-on application of their field of study.