Work-Integrated Learning and Postsecondary Graduates: The Perspective of Ontario Employers

Research Summary: New HEQCO survey: Employers want graduates with relevant work experience One of the first things employers look for when hiring graduates of Ontario’s colleges and universities is relevant work experience, according to a new study from the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). The lesson for students: from summer jobs to volunteering, […]

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On Our Radar – Great expectations in the new normal

On Our Radar features HEQCO staff and guest bloggers offering their unique perspectives on trends, new ideas and hot-button issues in higher education. The opinions are those of the authors. Enter the words Millennials and expectations into a search engine and odds are you will be bombarded with a variety of synonyms for entitled, unrealistic […]

Early Labour Market Outcomes of Ontario College and University Graduates 1982-2005

Research Summary: Trends Suggest Labour Market Not Saturated Despite More Postsecondary Grads The number of Ontarians with a postsecondary education (PSE) continues to rise, yet over the past 30 years the province’s labour market has been able to effectively absorb the growing number of graduates. According to a new study by the Higher Education Quality […]

Profile and Labour Market Outcomes of Doctoral Graduates from Ontario Universities

Research Summary: Ontario Producing More Doctoral Graduates, Higher Earnings than Other Provinces Ontario is the country’s leading producer of doctoral graduates and a new study shows that they are also out-earning their colleagues in other provinces.  Nearly 40 per cent of Canada’s doctoral graduates are coming from Ontario institutions and increasing at a rate 5 […]

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Terry Gitersos – Terry Gitersos has a plan… and a host of naysayers

I have learned first-hand how important it is for those facing post-PhD transitions, or those mired in long-term unemployment, to lean on their friends and family.  My own predicament has been eased by a gaggle of wonderful folks who have offered sympathetic ears, sound advice, laughter, and distractions.  I would be a whimpering mess without […]

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Terry Gitersos – Falling off the wagon: Terry Gitersos revisits academia

I had hoped that the first blog I wrote for HEQCO would serve as a public, irreversible break from academia.  I was of the mindset back then that my dream of finding an academic position was a virtual impossibility, and I resolved to pursue non-academic employment exclusively and with all my energy.  Well, after eight […]

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Terry Gitersos – Foot in door: Terry Gitersos travels “informational interview” route

One challenge I have encountered in my application process is determining precisely what positions to shoot for. Suffering from post-dissertation burnout and desiring a clean break from my academic career, I was adamant when I kicked off my job search that I did not want to work in a field related to my area of […]

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Terry Gitersos – Reinventing Terry Gitersos: Is it back to class?

Entering my sixth month of post-PhD unemployment, I can state pretty emphatically that employers aren’t buying the package that I am attempting to sell.  This is the crux of the problem that I have been grappling with for months now: How can I reinvent myself in a way that will make an employer want to […]

Faculty Experiences with and Perceptions of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the Ontario Postsecondary Sector

Research Summary: Faculty who are involved in WIL more likely to support its growth Work-integrated learning (WIL) – or co-operative education, internships, work placements and apprenticeships – is becoming more widespread in today’s colleges and universities as a way to better integrate learning and work.  Faculty with WIL experience say that even more of it […]