I have been reading this blog since September 17th and I really find it interesting that students and communicators across the country are sharing their experiences in government communications. Their comments are proof that communications in the federal government is an exciting and challenging field. As a Co-op and FSWEP student studying in Communications and Spanish at the University of Ottawa, I have also acquired some relevant experience in government. I have worked for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Communications Community Office (CCO), the National Vimy Memorial in France, which is part of Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). I will, however, leave the detailed experience sharing to the communications experts.

Today I want to share with you my opinion of the Student Networking Café. Launched in August 2005 as a pilot project in the National Capital Region, the Student Networking Café is now one of the Communications Community Office's ongoing events. So far, it has attracted 300 participants who had the opportunity to learn about government communications and its different areas but they also had the opportunity to network with real communicators. In one case, a student who stayed in contact with one of the communications experts she had met at the event was bridged-in on his team!

I am so happy and proud that, for the first time, the Student Networking Café will be held in the Nova Scotia region. This is such a good opportunity for MSVU students to make contacts, get more information on a career path that they had possibly not previously envisioned, and make a few friends.

Having participated in the organization of a Student Networking Café on several occasions, I can assure you that it will not be a waste of time.

So please consider attending the Halifax Student Networking Café on October 12th. You never know what might come out of it...

Caroline Bergeron
Communications Assistant
Communications Community Office, Ottawa