Connections

The Business School at Humber requires students to complete at least 84 hours of on-the-job work placement. "It's a great way for students to get their foot in the door," said Susan Thomas, placement advisor for Humber's Business School. Students usually complete their work placements during their final semester. Employers are so satisfied they often offer them longer-term paid assignments or full-time jobs. That's what happened to 21-year-old Patricia Desa, who graduated from Humber's Business Administration Advanced Diploma program. "I applied for work placement as a marketing associate at RBC Dominion Securities," said Desa. "I got the placement and I was hired on full-time and became the personal assistant to an investment advisor. I started marketing his services to high-net-worth individuals where I brought in 300 leads and closed three accounts." George Manjgaladze, investment advisor at RBC Dominion Securities, has hired many students but finds that Humber graduates, especially Desa, tend to have the most capable work ethic. "Patricia always goes beyond what is expected of her. It's definitely what we look for in a long-term employee." Desa is proud of her successes. She always wanted to get into the banking industry.

Source: Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning June 9 2008