Recent Graduate Gains Work-related Experience

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION--Recent Graduate Gains Work-related Experience

Drew Nix, a recent graduate of Nova Scotia Community College, knew what all recent graduates know: that he would need some work experience to find even a first job. An internship in programming at the Nova Scotia Geomatics Centre in Amherst -- through the provincial government's Career Starts program -- is giving him that experience.

"Work experience is very important to me," said Mr. Nix. "Without experience you don't get jobs, and I believe education is only part of a career."

Mr. Nix will gain experience using internationally recognized geographic information systems and Web programming software applications while working in a fast-paced and complex work environment. This will give him an advantage when seeking jobs in the geomatics industry.

Career Starts provides 16 post-secondary graduates with an opportunity to work in the civil service. Internships run for 49 weeks and start each spring or summer. The interns work in departments, agencies, boards and commissions across Nova Scotia.

"The Career Starts program helps us to recruit and attract young people to the public service," said Ernest Fage, Minister of the Public Service Commission. "The program also helps recent graduates make the transition from academia to the work world."

Each intern is assigned a mentor to guide them during the internship. The intern also receives a comprehensive training schedule focusing on employability skills and career development.

Internships are available in policy development, financial/business planning, communications, human resources, computing and systems, technology, health and social sciences and natural sciences and agriculture.

Career Starts began in 1998 with eight job placements. For more information, visit www.gov.ns.ca/psc/.