Newsletter

Second Year Newsletter -  On Campus Recruitment in Third Year

March 2023

 On Campus Recruitment in Third Year

By the Career Advancement Centre

As the third academic year approaches many students will be actively preparing for On Campus Recruitment, also known as OCR.  During the year, many employers will come to campus to conduct information sessions and recruit students for internships for the summer after third year.

Preparation for OCR often begins during the summer with active networking and dedicated interview preparation.  In some industries (notably finance and consulting) it can be helpful if students have reached out and introduced themselves to recruiters and employees within their firms of interest. This networking can be in person or over the phone, and is best done during the first half of the summer.

Interview preparation can take considerable time, as some industries have technical or specialized interviews that require advanced skills and knowledge in order to perform well.  Some recruitment activity may even begin in late summer before students return to campus.

This recruitment period can be stressful and demanding for students.  It moves quickly and students often have to balance recruitment activities with academics, extra-curricular commitments, and international exchange.  The Career Advancement Centre (CAC) staff are available to guide and support students through all the challenges of OCR.

While OCR provides attractive opportunities, it is not the only method for students to secure summer employment.  Many employers do not participate in OCR and there is always hiring that happens outside of this process.  Some industries are less oriented to this approach to hiring and will do most of their recruitment later in the academic year.

We encourage students to take advantage of the CAC supports and services provided to help them successfully secure summer employment.  These include career coaching, workshops, industry specific events, and customized newsletters and job postings. CAC coaching staff are available throughout the summer to advise students and appointments can be conducted over the phone or on Skype. 

Students can contact the CAC at smith.cac@queensu.ca or (613) 533-6038.