Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 02/00) - Angela Panika started working for the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development as an office clerk on July 10.

The 24-year-old had been working at the Northern Store and wanted a better job.

She submitted her resume to the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre's youth summer employment centre in Rankin Inlet.

The centre gave her a call a week later and said that a job had opened at DIAND.

She submitted her resume, was called for an interview, and got the job.

"I'm really happy where I am," she said.

Kevin Sanguin is the director of the friendship centre and oversees the youth employment centre.

He said that the two-year-old program is helping youth find work.

"Five students have found on-going jobs this summer," he said, adding that 15 students had found day jobs over the summer.

Helping youth find work is just one of the tasks the centre performs in the Kivalliq community.

"This program is successful in making contacts for students, teaching students how to write resumes and cover letters," said Sanguin.

He also suggested that other communities would benefit if they created programs to help students find work and gain experience.

Panika is happy the work centre helped her find a job.

"Now I am gaining skills that will help me find better jobs," she said.

She also doesn't mind the 9-5 p.m. shift.

"I do so many different things," she said.

"I file, answer phones, I'm getting lots of experience."