The Arts Career Round Table connects Arts students with employers from various industries and backgrounds. Photo credit: J. Ogbonnaya
Arts Students Have an Edge: The Arts Career Round Table
Student insights into the annual Arts career showcase
On November 19th, Career Services, the Faculty of Arts, the Arts Student Body Council (ASBC), and Alumni Relations put on the annual Arts Career Round Table. Designed to help Arts undergraduates deliberate on their educational and/or employment future, the event sat students with established professionals from all ends of the employment spectrum. From a Law practitioner, to folks in government and the private sector, students were able to enjoy thoughtful insights into where their career journey could take them.
I had the chance to attend the Round Table, along with over 100 other students from the Faculty of Arts. As someone who is thinking hard about what they want to do in the future, having the opportunity to attend an event like this is a real treat. Especially as this event is delivered to students free-of-charge.
The proceedings began with a pizza dinner, which allowed me to spark up conversation with my table before the ASBC Director of Academic Programming, Madison Bonnefoy, delivered the opening remarks. Following this we heard from ASBC’s Vice President, Gurpahul Kaur, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Heidi Marx. Dean Marx’s remarks reinforced the importance of gathering skills outside the classroom, touting them as being just as important as the skills that one may get inside the classroom.
We also heard a brief introduction from each of the Arts alumni on their academic background, as well as their career journey. Throughout the introductions from the twelve alumni from various majors within Arts, the common theme was that finding your calling is anything but linear, and that is okay!
We then dove straight into speed networking. This portion gave students the opportunity to chat with each alumni in a small table group about their respective careers and receive advice about how to accomplish their career goals. Each round of speed-networking had seven minutes of uninterrupted conversation, where students got the chance to ask a handful of questions and receive thoughtful answers.
After the night concluded, I had the chance to ask Madison how more Arts students could benefit from events like the Arts Career Round Table. “Networking, especially with UM alumni, is an incredible opportunity and a great way to build connections”, she stated. Networking is a powerful tool that many of us take for granted. Being able to build strong relationships between current students and local leaders is a great way to prime the next generation for their careers, no matter where they may take them. “On top of networking with alumni, it is also great to network with other students and peers. Being involved with ASBC, and other student organizations like UMISA, has shaped me in my leadership journey and is preparing me for my future as a UM alum”, she added. Student involvement in extra-curriculars is so important, as it puts us right in the shoes of advocates, business-folks, or lawyers.
Coming out of the Round Table, I felt like I gained invaluable insight into where I want my career to go. I chatted with Noah Wilson [BA(Adv)/19] about entrepreneurship and what it takes to get a small business off the ground, investing in our youth, and gaining new skills on-the-job. I also talked with Lasha Glennie [BA/08] about how the government can help small businesses expand into key players in the local and national economy. As a student who is working towards a degree in Political Science, I found these interactions to be a thoughtful reinforcement as to why I want the degree I seek.
However, talking about business development is only a drop in the puddle of the lake that was the Arts Career Round Table. So many different conversations took place in one night, new friendships struck, and lifelong connections were made.
Even greater than this, however, I gained new confidence of the value of the Arts degree that I am chasing. It does not matter what direction I end up going in, as the alumni at the Round Table reinforced, the communication skills, presentation skills, research skills, and information-analysis skills I gain while being a student in the Faculty of Arts gives me an edge, wherever I end up.
Take charge of your future today! Schedule an appointment with a Career Consultant at Career Services and connect with an Arts Academic Advisor to stay on track and plan your studies and career with confidence.
Career Services assists University of Manitoba undergraduate and graduate students with their career planning and job search. They provide a range of valuable services, including workshops, one-on-one consultations and career mentorship, all designed to make a meaningful impact as you prepare to enter the job market.
Faculty of Arts Academic Advisors are your go-to resource for degree planning. They are dedicated to assisting students with degree planning and providing essential resources to support academic success.