By Jasmine Kabatay
Global Tesol College was amongst many of the 100 companies present at the Toronto Job Expo. PHOTO BY: JASMINE KABATAY
The National Job Fair and Trading Expo in Toronto continues to flourish as companies and businesses come out and show their employment opportunities to Torontonians.
One booth that received much attention is Global Tesol College.
The private college offers a five-day course in preparation for a job in another country. The short teaching and high placement record for the college may sound too good to be true, the it’s used to the skepticism.
“A lot of people do know about it, but a lot of people don’t believe this is true,” said Kat Ostroumova, Global Tesol’s director of international operations and a former Humber student who has participated in the program. “Everyone always thinks it’s a scam.”
However, signing up may not be as easy for people with accents.
“[If] you were born outside of Canada, but you know English with little to no accent then your job is guaranteed,” said Ostroumova. “If you weren’t born in Canada and your accent is a little bit heavy, then we have to make you sign a paper saying we cannot guarantee a job, but we can definitely try.”
Lisa Alexander taught English in South Korea for three-and-a-half years after she graduated from the program and plans to go back soon.
“I have two undergraduate degrees and was looking to get a post-degree certification,” said Alexander. “I realized it was like taking another undergraduate degree. I really wanted to get up and get out.”
The Global Tesol College wasn’t the only attraction at the job fair and trading expo. Many of the jobs and booths people took interest in were technology and travel oriented, and included public speaking from companies.
Free resume critique sessions and different workshops were also included throughout the day. The job fair and trading expo runs from September 16 to 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.