New Employer Series to Help Students Connect with Career Opportunities
UM Behind the Hire launches August 2025
Starting this August, students at the University of Manitoba will have a new way to connect directly with employers and explore career opportunities through UM Behind the Hire, a monthly lunchtime information session series developed by Experiential Learning Partnerships within the Career, Community and Experiential Learning Centre (CCELC).
Hosted on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, these sessions will bring one employer at a time to the spotlight—virtually or in person—to share insights into their workplace culture, recruitment process, and early-career opportunities. Each event will feature a presentation followed by a Q&A, giving students the chance to engage directly with hiring professionals and recent hires.
“We designed UM Behind the Hire to give students direct access to employers who are actively building talent pipelines,” says Rhonda van Veggel, Experiential Learning Partnerships and Industry Liaison. “Employers are eager to share what they’re looking for in candidates, and students have told us they want to hear directly from recent graduates or alumni and to be able to ask questions about hiring processes, workplace culture, and how to get involved. It’s about creating a conversation that helps students envision their next steps.”
Employers participating in the upcoming series include Manitoba Hydro, Wawanesa Insurance, the Public Service Commission of Canada, and others from industries ranging from tech and finance to health care, public service, and engineering. Many sessions will feature alumni speakers and recent hires to provide first-hand perspectives on the transition from university to the workplace.
UM Behind the Hire is open to all UM students. With flexible delivery and focused content, the series provides opportunities for a wide range of disciplines and career interests.
Staff and faculty are encouraged to share upcoming sessions with students and academic units. Alumni interested in speaking alongside their employers or supporting employer outreach efforts can connect with Experiential Learning Partnerships at elpartnerships@umanitoba.ca.
To learn more or to see a schedule of upcoming sessions, visit the Employers and Industry Partners webpage.