Career adviser says, "Become your own career activist"

By Shelagh Peden

Human Resources & Employee Relations has established a new unit called Career Services, and Matt Santateresa is ready to take on the challenge.

Wondering how well suited you are to your role at Concordia? Considering a return to school? Thinking of applying for another position? Need help with writing a cover letter or CV?

“Helping employees find answers to those questions for employees is going to be enormously gratifying,” Santateresa said.

Santateresa received graduate training in career development at Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C., and interned at La Passerelle Career Transition Centre in Montreal.

Reporting to the Director of Employment and Employee Development, he will help staff members “gain a better perspective of their strengths, and apply this self-knowledge in a resourceful way.”

He continued, “Career coaching is important, because it enables one to learn how to make decisions and explore options through self-exploration. It’s a collaborative process in which the career advisor acts as a coach.”

Career advising at HR is a voluntary service, and the advising process adheres to a strict ethical code that ensures the employee’s privacy.

“Providing a safe and comfortable environment for discussion is important, so I am available by appointment at any time of the workday or during lunch hours and outside of working hours,” he explained.

One of the tenets of career development these days is continuous learning. To progress in an organization and ensure that their skills remain relevant, employees are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities offered by their employer for training and professional development.

“We all know the cost of courses,” Santateresa said. “Some professional training is expensive and runs into hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars. Every employee should jump at the opportunity offered by the Individual Development Plan — I did. It’s a chance to increase your skills and marketability.”

If you’re interested in setting up an appointment or discussing your career path, contact Matt Santateresa at ext. 3298 or email him terrys@alcor.concordia.ca.