Fanshawe College students are having mixed experiences finding part-time employment, with some facing months of applications while others have found jobs through previous experience or personal connections.
A student on the Fanshawe College Parents Group made a post regarding the struggles they have been facing with landing a job, and is in search for help. The post mentions how they have applied everywhere but has had no bites.
Photo: (Torey Joseph Legarrie)
Randabouz Arifa, who is a student at Fanshawe College, said she has been looking for a job for about two years.
“Probably ignoring,” she said when asked whether employers were responding to their applications.
Arifa said that balancing school, personal life, and employment can be difficult.
Randabouz Arifa, cyber security, year 1, photo: (Torey Joseph Legarrie)
“You need a lifestyle to have a balance between your lifestyle and your study” she said.
Arifa said not finding work has also been frustrating financially.
“I feel mad, I’m going to be honest,” she said.
Rebecca Summerfield, a Fanshawe career services consultant, said finding work that fits around a students school schedule is one of the biggest challenges.
“For the most part, the biggest challenge is finding a flexible employer that will work around a school schedule,” she said.
Summerfield said students who are not hearing back from employers should consider following up professionally after applying.
Rebecca Summerfield, career services Fanshawe, photo: (Career services Fanshawe Facebook)
“I always suggest that students try following up in person, as long as they’re doing it professionally,” she said.
Summerfield also recommended that students dress as if they are going to an interview when following up with an employer.
Fanshawe’s Career Opportunities Fair happens on Sept, 30, from 10a.m. to 2p.m. in both J gyms. The event is open to Fanshawe students and Alumini, with employers offering opportunities that include part-time positions.
Summerfield said students should look at social media and job postings.
“I find that Instagram seems to be a good place for students to find part-time jobs a lot of times right now,” she said.
According to Statistics Canada labour force data, London is the third highest unemployment rate for students across the country. Data shows for people aged 15 to 24 in London was 22.2 per cent in May 2026. The overall unemployment rate is seven per cent when the Canadian average is 6.6 per cent.
While some students are struggling to find work, others have been able to secure employment after months of searching through previous experience and personal connections.
Fanshawe student Alexis Moore said it took several months of sending out resumes before finding a job.
“I probably applied to 30 plus” she said.
Alexis Moore, pre-health, year 2, photo: (Torey Joseph Legarrie)
Moore found their current job through Indeed and said previous supervisory experience helped her stand out.
“I think when I had the higher experience, like supervisor, that was what really got me a job quicker than most,” she said.
Moore recommended students include volunteer experience on their resumes when applying for jobs.
Fanshawe Career Services is located in room D1063 and provides students with assistance with their employment searches.
