Steps you can take now to reach your career goals
As students, creating a plan of action to reach your career goals can seem challenging. At the University of Manitoba, Career Services helps students with career planning and job search strategies to help them progress towards their future beyond postsecondary education.
“Most of us don’t know the scope of opportunities available around us and we only know what we’ve been exposed to,” says Gail Langlais, the Director of Career Services. If you want to start exploring and plan you career with intention, Career Services can help you map out your path and identify the experiences to support that direction.
Career consultants are equipped to help you turn your ideas into actions that connect your degree program, interests, experiences and ambitions. They provide a judgement-free space where you can contemplate your options and gain confidence in your career choices.
They can help you search for work integrated learning opportunities, volunteer positions and other skill-building experiences on or off campus. These experiences are all key in finding a job but more importantly, they’re crucial to constant self-discovery. Students can reflect on their journey, learn about their passions, recognize the environments they thrive in, and realize their greatest strengths as students and as professionals.
Career Services also assists students looking for jobs by advancing their skills related to their job search. Career Connect is an exclusive database where UM students and alumni can access job postings and co-operative education positions. It’s also a portal for workshops and events including multidisciplinary career fairs, employer sessions, information sessions on different employment sectors and student employment programs, and other professional development workshops.
Additionally, self-directed resources including workbooks on resumé and cover letter-writing and interview preparation are available to help cultivate effective job search practices.
Similarly, networking introduces students to potential employers while allowing them to discover their options and the many possible directions to pursue. The Career Mentor Program and UM Café help students connect with alumni and industry professionals to inform students’ knowledge on opportunities in many fields of work. Simply striking up a conversation and showing interest is a great way to learn about a person or an organization’s work while they also get to know you. “There’s reciprocity in a networking relationship. It’s about seeing what’s out there, but it’s also about showing what you can offer,” Langlais adds.
“You’ll come across many opportunities that you wouldn’t have known existed. Keep your eyes open and have an appreciation for it all,” Langlais says. It’s evident that she and the Career Services team revel in helping each individual find success. She encourages students to reach out to Career Services in their first year and receive support in creating their future.
At this time, all services are delivered virtually through e-mail, telephone and video conferencing. Contact information and information on other services and resources provided by Career Services can be found here.