EWO Member Spotlight |
Andrew Bassingthwaighte
Talent Coach
Brock University, CCEE
Roles/Involvement with EWO: Member of EWO, Member of the EWO Awards & Recognition Committee
Andrew has been with Brock University for almost 8 years, working within Co-op Education. In 2019, he became a Talent Coach after serving as a Career Consultant. Andrew provides support to students throughout their co-op journey, including job search and coaching on issues encountered during their work term.
Throughout his 20-year career, Andrew has worked with non-profit and post-secondary education institutions, including Second Career, Niagara College, and Brock. What connects his experiences is learning about people and their stories, a skill he honed while working as a bartender. He is passionate about the ability of career development and career counselling to make a positive impact on multiple areas of an individual's life. Furthermore, he is a staunch advocate for people, specifically those who belong to underrepresented groups.
Andrew's superpower is advocacy- specifically, around issues of employment equity, anti-ableism, and mental health. He is involved in social activism work, focusing on co-op and various student groups and organizations around campus. Since it’s implementation, Andrew has been an active member of Brock’s President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity, and Decolonization.
Professional ethics are critical to Andrew, especially as technology and AI have transformed the profession. As professionals, blurring ethical guidelines when helping people can lead to burnout or job loss. Additionally, he reminds Career Development Practitioners of the importance of letting students find their own journey, and that while their students might make mistakes, it’s ok as these can be great opportunities to learn and grow.
Throughout his career, Andrew has been fortunate to have many mentors, including his first boss, John White, who provided him with career advice and lessons that he still holds to this day. He is proud to be a member of the EWO Awards Committee, where he can bond and connect with others dedicated to making a positive impact in the field.