Moving from here to there

1. Getting from here to there:Career planning for life after graduate schoolPresented by Norah McRae, Executive Director of UVic’s Co-operative Education Programand Career Services

2. Moving from here to there How can you put your learning in motion? • Your presenter’s path: • MBA with interest in not-for-profits • Interdisciplinary PhD • Focus on what motivates you, what you value and what you enjoy • What do you want to contribute? • This is the here, or your starting point

3. Today’s session How Co-op and Career can help you get there Today’s session will help you answer this question: • As a grad student, how can you get ready for life after grad school?

4. Today’s session How Co-op and Career can help you get there We can help you through: • A competency-based approach • Co-op and Career support (career preparation and planning) • Co-op and Career programs (Co-op, Horizons, Navigator, other community-based experiential learning) • Networking opportunities and events • Online resource kits • Job postings

5. 1. A competency-based approach A Co-op and Career model • You can make an impression on employers by: • Becoming very good at what you want to do • Being able to describe and offer competencies (knowledge, skills and attributes) that are valued by: • Your target sector • Your workplace • Your employer

6. 1. A competency-based approach 3 types of competencies • 10 core: transferable skills for nearly any workplace • Program-specific: skills valued by employers in your career field • Professional: skills valued by professionals in various industries

7. 1. A competency-based approach 1. Core competencies: Transferable skills for any workplace • Personal management • Communication • Managing information • Research and analysis • Project and task management • Teamwork • Commitment to quality • Professional behaviour • Social responsibility • Continuous learning

8. 1. A competency-based approach Core competencies—an example • Personal management means that you understand yourself and are conscious of the implications of your interactions with others. • Online resource for each core competency • E.g. Personal management

9. 1. A competency-based approach 2. Program specific competencies: linked to academic program • Competencies learned throughout your academic program • Co-op and career has mapped these • For graduate students, the mastery of the competencies should be at a more intense and higher level

10. 1. A competency-based approach 3. Professional competencies: valued by professionals/industries • Contact associations/organizations related to your profession or industry • Learn what competencies are required

11. 1. A competency-based approach Fill in the gaps and develop your competencies • Use the competency gap analysis resource • Identify and assess your competency development • Write a master competency inventory • Plan your next steps • Curricular • Co-curricular • Experiential • Document evidence of competency achievement

12. 2. Co-op and Career support How can we help you reach your career goals? • Starting from scratch? • Arrange a career counselling appointment with a career educator or Counselling Services • Have a plan? • Meet with a career educator from your faculty

13. 2. Co-op and Career support Your Co-op and Career office

14. 2. Co-op and Career support Carly (master’s student in political science) met with a career educator for one-on-one career coaching. She learned how to tailor her résumé and cover letter to market herself to her top employers.

15. 3. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program • Alternate your academic studies with paid, relevant work experience in your field of study (4-month work terms) • Gain competencies • Enrich your academic studies with real-world experience • Link co-op to your graduate research • Work for employers in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors

16. 3. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program • Largest provider of graduate co-op in Canada • 16.6% of graduate students participate • In 2010/11, there were 308 graduate co-op placements (on the rise) • Highest in HSD, Engineering, Business and Education • 1/3 of co-op grads find permanent full-time employment with former co-op employers • Average graduate co-op student salary: $3,292/month

17. 2. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program Oscar (MBA) spent a work term developing a business and marketing strategy for Woodwynn Farms, a not-for-profit association based in Brentwood Bay, BC. “Co-op gave the chance to work shoulder-to-shoulder with community leaders.”

18. 2. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program Iris (applied science master’s student) completed a work term as a software engineer at Quester Tangent, where she programmed seabed classification software. “Co-op helped me learn about different employers and whether they were a good long-term fit for my career.”

19. 2. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program “Co-op helped me determine what I’m good at, what I want to do, and where I want to apply my skills.” “My co-op position is the job I’ve always wanted to do but never had a chance to try before now.” “There has been talk of full-time employment with my co-op employer. I’ve very much like to stay on.” “I’ve been able to see what goes on in the real engineering world AND the academic world—they are totally different.” - Farida (mechanical engineering master’s student)

20. 2. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program Ivan (MBA) worked for the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, where he developed a strategic business plan. “I’m now prepared to start a career in the provincial government and have a better sense of what to look for in a job.”

21. 3. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program • Are you eligible for co-op? • Available to students in all graduate program areas who are pursuing thesis and non-thesis or professional degrees • Admission will be determined after consultation with your graduate adviser and department • Requirements (may vary): • Master’s students: 2 work terms • Doctoral students: 3 work terms

22. 3. Co-op and Career programs Co-operative Education Program • A typical graduate study/co-op work term schedule may look like this:

23. 3. Co-op and Career programs Horizons Program • For grads unsure of their next steps • Identify your career motivators • Research possible career paths and plan your next step • Group and one-on-one coaching sessions • Starts March 23—email careerpg@uvic.ca

24. 3. Co-op and Career programs Navigator Program • For grads looking for work • Create effective work search tools • Organize your work search process • Develop networking skills • Group and one-on-one coaching sessions • Starts March 24—email careerpg@uvic.ca

25. Co-op and Career programs Other programs • “What can you do with your degree” series • Résumania • Multiple Mini Interviews (mock interviews) • Ongoing career workshops • www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/events

26. 4. Networking opportunities Connect with employers • Employer information sessions • Co-op and Career fairs • Community connections: • Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce • VIATeC • www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/events

27. 5. Online resource kits Access career development resources • More than 110 resources at www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer/resources • Journey kit: resources to plan and research your career path • Competency kit: resources to develop and practice competencies. • Tool kit: resources to master the art of the job search (résumés, cover letters, interview and more)

28. 6. Job postings Apply to a wide range of postings • http://learninginmotion.uvic.ca • Career jobs • On-campus positions • Volunteer opportunities • Tutor registry • Casual jobs • www.mycoop.ca (until May 1) • Co-op postings

29. What does your future look like? The path is open • One size does not fit all • Lifelong employment is no longer a reality • “Jobs” rather than professions are often created and are unique to people and situations

30. What does your future look like? The path is open • Workplace of the future will require: • Flexibility • Adaptability • Innovation

31. How can you excel? Connect with Co-op and Career • Learn about competencies valued by your industry of interest • Consult with Co-op and Career staff to plan out your next steps • Keep in touch - Remember, we offer lifelong career support • www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer

32. Thank you.