‘We want success’: STU’s second Indigenous Career Fair connects students with purpose

The Indigenous Career Fair allows Indigenous students to be able to network their futures with local employers. (Malachi Lefurgey/AQ) 

Maritime employers lined up in the Great Hall at St. Thomas University, eager to recruit Indigenous students transitioning from graduation to full-time employment.

On Jan. 19, Chelsea Harris-Carr, alongside Sonya Perley, organized STU’s second Indigenous Career Fair, welcoming institutions such as the CBC, North Shore and the RCMP, among others, to showcase employment opportunities for Indigenous university students.  

“I canvased [the event] to what students wanted,” said Carr.  

Harris-Carr, Future Wabanaki coordinator at STU, started the Indigenous Career Fair after seeing previous Career Development’s career fairs, but felt the Indigenous community was still “not seeing enough of our people.” 

“I saw things that were missing that could be targeted with an Indigenous Career Fair,” she said.  

For Harris-Carr, her goal in creating and organizing the event is simple: ensuring Indigenous students are seen as just as capable and just as employable as anyone else. 

“It’s not because we’re not employable that were not getting jobs,” said Harris-Carr. “I want to see my students in positions that they wouldn't have thought were possible ... I want them to see that they can do anything.”  

The North Shore Mi’kmaq Tribal Council (NSMTC) was amongst the employers in the Great Hall, represented by Vanessa McLaughlin, NSMTC’s communications official and Krista Cloud, employment training coordinator.  

NSMTC works as a bridge between unemployed Indigenous community members and employers in the Fredericton area. 

“NSMTC is a great way for individuals to kickstart their career,” said McLaughlin. “Being able to showcase what we have to offer and be that stepping stone.” 

“We follow throughout their whole path, [it] doesn't matter how old they are,” said Cloud.  

This is NSMTC’s second time attending STU’s Indigenous Career Fair and stressed the importance of having a place and support that are designated for certain demographics.  

“Representation is important, race is a huge area [in employment] and it’s programs like [employment coordinating] that can bridge that gap and address these barriers.”  

“We don't want to have our members be a part of that statistic of unemployment [rate], we want success,” said Cloud.  

The Indigenous Career Fair is set to run again next year, hoping for more employers and Indigenous students to transcend their community and culture to the workforce. 

In the end, Harris-Carr wants the Indigenous STU community to know that there are many resources at STU, such as internships and career workshops, to prepare them for the professional world.

“I am here, my position is for them [the Indigenous community], I am here to help with resumes, cover letters, or even just to talk to, I am [a] resource.”