Career Compass: Health Sciences

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Course requirements:
BIOL 1410, CHEM 1100, CHEM 1110, CHEM 1120, HEAL 1500, HEAL 1502, INDG 1220 or INDG 1240, PSYC 1200 OR SOC 1000, STAT 1000, 3 credit hours of free electives if SOC 1000 is chosen.

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an Academic Advisor to help you plan your program.
2. For academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.
3. Make sure to explore the IHP Student Resources on UM Learn for information on academic and career possibilities.

Year 2 - 60 Credit Hours

Course requirements: 
BGEN 2000, CHEM 2730, CHEM 2740, HEAL 2600, HNSC 1210, HNSC 2000 OR PSYC 2250, IMMU 2000, PHGY 1030, 3 credit hours of free electives.

To do this year:

1. Consider taking a minor and choose courses that will open opportunities.

Year 3 - 90 Credit Hours

Course requirements: 
BGEN 3010, FMLY 3750, FMLY 3780 OR FMLY 3790, HEAL 3000, HEAL 3600, HEAL 3610, PHAC 3000, PHIL 2740, 3 credit hours of program electives, 3 credit hours of free electives

To do this year:

1. Meet with an Academic Advisor for third-year review.
2. Consider a professional program. Refer to the Admission Office's Applicant Information Bulletin with an academic advisor to help you plan your pre-professional program.
3. Gain research experience by taking the HEAL 4650 or HEAL 4652 research project course.

Year 4 - 120 Credit Hours

Course requirements: ANAT 4010, HEAL 4600, HEAL 4620, HEAL 4630, PHAC 4030, PHAC 4040, 6 credit hours of free electives, 6 credit hours of program electives

To do this year:

1. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an Academic Advisor, declare intent to graduate in Aurora, and ensure other graduation requirements are met (E.g. Payment of outstanding fees).
2. Consider registering for HEAL 4650 or HEAL 4652 to gain research experience.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a Career Consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Gather information about occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Utilize UM Connect to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Access the UM Experiential Learning Catalogue to explore involvement opportunities on campus. Throughout your studies, access your Experience Record to track and reflect on your competencies.

Year 2 - 60 Credit Hours

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a student member with the Bioscience Association of Manitoba (BAM) and the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR).
4. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

Year 3 - 90 Credit Hours

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.
5. If considering lab opportunities, register for HEAL 4640 and review the IHP Student Resources on UM Learn for information on career opportunities.

Consider continuing your studies: Check out the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Extended Education or other professional programs.

Year 4 - 120 Credit Hours

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to a professional program or graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including the Interdisciplinary Health Program Students' Association (IHPSA), CanU, the University of Manitoba Undergraduate Leaders in Healthcare and Healthy U.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events to help welcome new students to campus while gaining experience.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers and the Student Leadership Development Program.

Year 2 - 60 Credit Hours

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for a research assistant position or Undergraduate Research Award.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, community health clinics such as Klinic, Mount Carmel Clinic, Youville Clinic, CancerCare Manitoba and health promotion agencies i.e. Canadian Cancer Society; personal care homes; group homes. Connect with community engagement in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences for volunteer opportunities like the Biomedical Youth Program.

Year 3 - 90 Credit Hours

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Poster Competition.

Check out student job opportunities with: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement, Statistics Canada and St. Boniface Research Centre.

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships

Year 4 - 120 Credit Hours

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out BioTalent Canada, Bioscience Association Manitoba (BAM), Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, WorkInNonProfits.ca, CharityVillage, Indeed or other search engines.

Use your networks and connections: inquire about unadvertised job openings (the "hidden job market").

Cultural experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. 

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - the UM Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Students' Organization, and many more!  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Participate in the Intercultural Leaders program to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in 8 sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Engage locally: Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs; Indigenous students may wish to explore programs such as Land and Water: Land-Based Education. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Industries such as biotechnology, business, community development, government, healthcare/medicine, and social services would value a degree in health sciences in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Oral and written communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Numeracy and data use
• Industry specific knowledge
• Continuous learning
• Digital technology

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.