Murphy Centre holding huge career expo in St. John's

When Danika Carter graduated with a communications degree from Memorial University, the career path seemed uncertain until she found the Murphy Centre.

There, Carter joined a program called ArtsLife to Work, which helps for someone like her who want to hone their employment skills without losing their drive to be a creative entrepreneur.

Now Carter can’t stop raving about the program, which includes being mentored as well as a work placement, and how it has opened her world to new contacts in the arts community. It has also built her confidence in not only her future, but in the opportunities that exist in Newfoundland and Labrador, despite what has been portrayed as a sluggish economy.

“I wish more people knew what the Murphy Centre had to offer." — Danika Carter

“I can’t even tell you the amount of times I thought I was just going to have to leave, what other options are there for me?” she said, adding that through the Murphy Centre, she now has a new outlook on being able to stay home and find meaningful work.

“It’s really been an incredible experience.”

Carter said many people think of the non-profit Murphy Centre as simply a place that helps youth attain their GED (high school equivalency), but the clients range all the way up to people with their masters’ degrees who also need some career direction.

Carter also noted oftentimes, unfortunately, people don’t use community services because of a stigma.

“I wish more people knew what the Murphy Centre had to offer,” she said.

On March 18, the Murphy Centre will open itself to a much wider public audience, when it hosts its first ever career expo at the Holiday Inn on Portugal Cove Road in St. John’s. The expo is open to anyone in the public.

In partnership with Service Canada, Career Expo 2020 features more than 60 employers, educational institutions and service providers throughout St. John’s and surrounding areas.

There’s free admission and none of the employers are paying a fee to participate.

It’s also the first holistic event of its kind, said event manager Lindsay Oates, as there will be Murphy Centre career councillors on site to help with job seekers with their resume, interview or networking tips. As well, community resource organizations such as Empower and the Canadian Mental Health Association will be there.

Companies are looking to hire at varying levels of experience and talent, Oates said. The criteria for participation was that an employer be in a position to hire immediately or within the next four months.

Besides the 60 employers participating — including military to government and educational to landscaping, trades, telecommunications, community services organizations, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary — other employers were interested but could not as it’s too busy a time of year for them.

Oates said she expects 1,000 people to drop by throughout the day and it will also be a time for the participating organizations to connect as a community.

Carter, who is planning to volunteer, hopes that like her, many others’ eyes will be opened to the variety of services offered by the Murphy Centre.

“Everyone, anybody looking for a new opportunity, should take advantage of this event. It is going to be really, really great,” said Carter.

The idea of the expo came from Stephanie Hoskins, who works in career development at the Murphy Centre, who felt that it was the best way to serve the greatest number of people with some leftover programming funds.

While the Murphy Centre still offers alternative environment high school credit and adult basic education opportunities, the centre has evolved into offering a wide range of programs geared towards personal and career development.

For Carter, some bad past job experiences have been replaced with an even better sense of self confidence.

“It’s reinvigorated a passion for finding a career that works for me and putting my skills to good work,” she said.

Carter said it might sound cheesy but the Murphy Centre has renewed in her a sense of wanting to change the world.

“People come in with their head down and walk out with their shoulders back and their head up ready to take on the world,” Oates agreed.

The free admission event takes place on March 18 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Upon leaving, attendees will be asked to participate in a survey, but there is a chance of a door prize.

People inquiring about attending can send an email to [email protected] call 743-1833 or visit The Murphy Centre Facebook Page for more information.

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