Placement Advisor Spotlight: Antoniette Di Marco
Manager, Longo Faculty of Business Work-Integrated Learning Centre
Tell us about yourself.
I consider myself a life-long learner with an entrepreneurial spirit. I have a very eclectic business background which has provided me with vast experience, progressive knowledge, and endless resources. I started in a Management Training program and then moved into a retail buying position. I worked in banking for a while and co-founded a successful import/export retail wholesale business which I sold. I entered the realm of education at Humber in Community Employment Service, followed by a Placement Advisor role at the Humber Business School, now the Longo Faculty of Business. As the manager for the last ten years, I have had the privilege to lead a team of initiative-taking, dedicated and talented Placement Advisors. We have supported thousands of students and employer partners with career growth and staffing.
How important are soft skills in today’s job market and how can students build on these skills while they are still in school?
Soft skills or power skills are particularly important in today’s job market. Students from the same programs will have comparable technical skills, however, it is the power skills that can set a candidate apart. Technical skills can be taught, but power skills like curiosity, active listening, empathy, ability to relate, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, collaboration, flexibility and teamwork are developed through our life experiences. Power skills are important to include on a resume and to demonstrate in an interview because they can help an employer understand the candidates’ personal attributes and teamwork capacity. Building upon them in school is vital. Participating in group work is a constant for most students and is key to developing many power skills including cooperation, conflict resolution and leadership. Other ways to build power skills are to become involved in on-campus activities, and social and professional association events. Take the time to speak with professors and staff, ask questions and learn from their experiences. Attend networking and recruitment events and speak to recruiters to step out of your comfort zone and build communication skills. Power skills are always evolving with every new experience so embrace any opportunity to learn and grow.
The WIL Team supports students and employer partners in their Work-Integrated Learning journey. Committed, dedicated and professional, they are key contributors to Humber’s Strategic Plan, preparing career-ready citizens and establishing strong, sustainable collaborations with industry, community, international and alumni partners.
"I have had the privilege to lead a team of initiative-taking, dedicated and talented Placement Advisors." - Antoniette Di Marco
The Longo Faculty of Business Work-Integrated Learning Placement Advisor Team