Reflecting on Chapter 4 “From University to Career: Creating a Successful Transition, TRU”
This post comes to you from Dr. Brad Harasymchuk, currently an Assistant Teaching Professor in the School of Education, and formerly Learning Strategist and Experiential Learning Coordinator, TRU.
I have always been passionate about volunteering and serving my community as I have been an active Rotarian for the last 10 years. It wasn’t surprising that when I took on the role of Experiential Learning Coordinator in the Career and Experiential Learning Department at TRU that one of the first things I focused on, was getting students engaged in volunteerism. The volunteer leadership program was one initiative that had students take part in two evening workshops focused on volunteerism, a day long volunteer project at a local housing support center and a reflection session. From this experience, I came up with the outline for my chapter that focuses on the role of volunteering through experiential learning. I wanted to create an accessible chapter that could work for someone brand new to the world of volunteering but would also help those that volunteering is already part of their life.
I truly believe that any type of volunteering is good for community and Kamloops relies on its volunteers but if we can get students and community members intentionally thinking, for example, about the skills they are developing while volunteering then this will allow for growth. If we can take this one step further and add intentional reflection, then we are going to have a deeper learning experience. This is what prompted me to include what I named a Volunteer Action Plan in my chapter. This H5P interactive document allows students or community members a chance to plan, record and reflect upon each volunteer experience they have had.
Although I am no longer in the Career and Experiential Learning Department, I still work with students around engaging in volunteerism at TRU and in the community. My current students are studying to become teachers, but they are very active in growing their resumes through volunteerism and other experiences so they can compete when looking to start their careers. I share From University to Career: Creating a Successful Transition with them as a guide as they make their way through our two year professional program so they can be ready for the transition to their lifelong career.
Dr. Brad Harasymchuk was born and raised on the Treaty 6 lands of Saskatoon, SK but is very privileged to currently live with his wife and raise his kids in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops, BC). At Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Brad has worked as a Learning Strategist and Experiential Learning Coordinator before moving over to the School of Education. Currently, Brad is an Assistant Teaching Professor who enjoys working with Teacher Candidates on becoming the next generation of great teachers.
As we continue to embark on this blog series, we invite you to explore each chapter and provide valuable feedback through our Chapter Feedback Tool
On behalf of the ACE-WIL PD Committee, thank you to Dr. Brad Harasymchuk for their insightful and meaningful contribution as Chapter Four author of the open educational resource “From University to Career: Creating a Successful Transition, TRU”.