INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE/ MAY 14, 1991

Newsletter survey helps staff tailor format and content

(continued from page 1)

their fellow workers, to find out
what people are doing with their
lives both inside and outside
Douglas College.

“The other thing which comes
through is that they wanted us to
treat the news about the college in
a serious, professional fashion, as
opposed to the more colloquial ap-
proach of the old Mad Hatter.”

Bell said he was gratified at the
survey’s 10 percent response rate,
and added that readers’ sugges-
tions and criticisms will be con-
sidered while staff re-tailor the

newsletter during the coming
months.

“Although we came out
credible in our coverage, one state-
ment that shows up in a few com-
ments is that we are still viewed as
an administration mouthpiece,”
said Bell. “That criticism does not
reflect the editorial policy of the In-
side — our mandate is to cover
anything pertaining to the College,
providing it is not libelous. How-
ever, it does reflect the financial
support of the Inside, so we will
probably receive that criticism as
long as we publish.”

College graduates must now compete
with experienced workers

 

CY and university graduates throughout North America are find-
ing that they have a new source of competition for entry-level jobs.
Experienced workers with similar qualifications plus several years of on-
the-job experience are applying for the same jobs. This new breed of com-
petitors consists of managerial and professional workers who are losing
jobs in increasing numbers through a combination of corporate downsiz-
ing and the current recession.

A post secondary school diploma or degree is now no longer con-
sidered a ticket to an entry-level management or professional position.
Landing that first position requires selling oneself along with one’s
qualifications.

Source: Canadian Industrial Relations and Personnel Developments,
No.14, April 3, 1991. w

Did you know...

hat the Co-operative Education program at Douglas College gives stu-

dents the opportunity to gain paid work experience in their field of
study?

Over a two-year program, students in career programs like Computer
Information Systems, Accounting, Criminology, and Arts Management
and in university transfer programs such as Geology, Biology and Crea-
tive Writing can complete two work terms scheduled between regular
study semesters.

The Co-op program helps students gain vital work experience and
helps employers find qualified staff who are eager to put their skills to
practice in a work environment. @

And what about the advice
from one reader that the Inside
“should not try to be all things to
all readers”?

“One has to remember that our
newsletter goes to faculty, staff, ad-
ministrators and some students
and as such, there are obviously
some stories that will not be of in-
terest to everybody, just like any
other publication. But hopefully
they will be of interest to the vast
majority of the readership.”

One final note: to get a wider
response from the survey, last
week the Public Information Of-
fice circulated another version of
the survey through the internal
mail. This was done to reach
employees who may not read the
Inside regularly. We want to find
out what we can do to appeal to
those people. If you don’t read the
Inside regularly, please take the
time to fill out the survey, and
return it to the Public Information
Office, Room 4840. Your coopera-
tion is appreciated. m

 

Inside Information

Inside Douglas College is published
every two weeks by the Douglas College
Public Information Office.

Submissions are due Tuesday noon for
publication the following Tuesday.
Submissions on floppy disk in
WordPerfect or ASCII format would be
appreciated. Material may be edited for
brevity and clarity.

Tips, scoops and suggestions are always
welcome. Please contact the Public
Information Office, (604) 527-5323,
Room 4840 at the New Westminster
campus, 700 Royal Avenue, New
Westminster. Mailing address: P.O. Box
2503, New Westminster, B.C. V3L 5B2.