Career and Employment
Venesa Sweetland
My name is Venesa Sweetland and I am the Career and Employment Services Coordinator. Another very important personnel of the office is Ms. STACEY MILLER who is the administrative secretary. It is indeed a pleasure to extend welcome to both our new and returning students.
The Moneague College prides itself as being a multidisciplinary institution that offers quality programmes, sound leadership, as well as an institution that exhibits the ability to produce global citizens who can make their mark in this global society. One of the many offices that contributes to the success of this organization is the Career and Employment Services Office. This office is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all students are fully equipped with “hands-on” experiences in a real world professional setting prior to the completion of their programme. It is this garnered experience that allows our graduates to transfer applicable skills, Knowledge and abilities to their chosen career path. One of our primary goals is to balance practical skills with those that are gained in the classroom and thus, contributing to professional growth and development.
All students within the first year of study are required to complete 30 hours of Community Service in a Government organization. The onus is on each student to ensure that he/she finds an appropriate organization to facilitate the completion of their community service hours. During the period of May to August, all 2nd and 4th year students are expected to complete 240 hours of Work Experience. It is the responsibility of the WE Coordinator to place all students in their related field. However, we do welcome self-placement with the appropriate communication protocol.
The college is cognizant of the many changes that occur within the workforce and as such, the Placement Office partners with HEART NTA to provide certification in Customer Service level 2. In getting students fully prepared to be functional in the world of work, a host of resource persons are invited to engage students in practical scenarios, ones that may be encountered during work experience or practicum. In addition to this, other Employability Skills seminars are held in an attempt to develop and improve the different soft skills needed in the labour market.
Another initiative undertaken by the Placement Office is to facilitate the annual Work and Travel program, where students are given the opportunity to experience new cultures while earning.
The Placement Office seeks every opportunity to enhance our students’ experience while at college as well as to develop men and women who will add value to the workforce worldwide.
On behalf of Ms. Miller, I wish for you all a safe and successful year.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
All students are expected to complete 30 hours of community service in their first year of studies at a Government organization/institution. Please ensure that at the end of your community service your supervisor completes the stipulated form and it is submitted at the Placement Office.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Work Experience is a 3 credit course and as such, all second and fourth year students both full and part time are required to complete two hundred and forty (240) hours of Work Experience during May – August.
Throughout the school year different employability skills seminars and workshops are held in an effort to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to effectively function in the world of work. Also, these seminars are hosted to prepare you for the rapidly changing social, economic and technological environment of the modern workplace.
PRACTICUM: Social Work and Psychology
Practicum is designed to provide students with valuable experiences through field exposure that complements the knowledge garnered in the classroom. Students doing their 80 hour first year practicum are required to observe and learn as much as they can as to the intricacies involved in field of social work, the agencies and responsibilities. However, students may not, on their first year practicum, engage fully in duties of the Social Worker but must ensure that he/she is cognizant of the skills and practices.
Second year practicum which is done over a 240 hours (six weeks) period, allows for more supervised engagement. Thus, allowing for more hands on experience in the field. Period: May to August
Students at the bachelor’s level are expected to complete 360 hours of practicum. Students should be supervised by a trained Social Worker who possesses at least a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or in a similar field such as counselling, psychology, community development, or another relevant area. At the end of the practicum the student will be required to make an individual class presentation on one or more cases that they had worked on during their placement. Period: January to April
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All psychology students are required to complete practicum during their second year for 140 hours.
Information and downloadable documents on Community Service, Work Experience and Practicum are available on the Placement Office page of the college web site. Select Student Information, Placement Office and then the tab you desire: Community Service, Work Experience and Practicum.
Work and Travel
Each year many students apply for the Overseas Work & Travel programme, where local agencies arrange summer US work experience for Jamaican students to travel and see new places while they work. However, this programme requires students to be enrolled full time at a tertiary institution, as the work & travel visa is usually granted with evidence of intent to return to Jamaica. There are several college policies designed to guide students in deciding how to approach this programme, as well as tips in choosing the right agency and overseas employer. To facilitate this process, in the first semester the Placement Office organizes an International Work and Travel Fair, where agencies are invited to conduct recruitment.
