Career Month
Presented by the Career, Community & Experiential Learning Centre.
Join us for a series of career and employment workshops and special events throughout November. The kick off starts November 1.
Career Month
November 1 - 30, 2023
Career Month has something for everyone! Whether you have a clear idea for your career direction or you’re still trying to figure things out, Career and Workforce Development Month events are a great way to make connections to keep you moving forward. First year students, 4th year students, alumni and everyone in between can benefit from attending one or more of the 25+ events including virtual and in-person events.
November is a great opportunity to discover career pathways, learn about an academic program, meet with industry professionals and make professional connections! With a little planning you can give your career journey a boost and pave the way to multiple opportunities.
Check out the events and workshops happening in the schedule below. Use the links to register and learn more. You can also visit UM Connect for upcoming event details and to register.
On this page:
UM Alumni Association Student Tuition Contest
UM Alumni Association Student Tuition Contest (the “Contest”) -– Official Contest Rules
THIS CONTEST IS INTENDED FOR RESIDENTS OF CANADA ONLY (EXCLUDING QUEBEC) AND IS GOVERNED BY CANADIAN LAW
1. How to Enter - No purchase necessary. To enter, contestants must complete an e-ballot available during Career Month activities (November 2023) activities and the annual Career Fair (January 17-18, 2024) at the University of Manitoba (the “University”). The Contest starts at 8:00 AM CT, November 1, 2023 and closes with all entries received by 11:59 PM CT, January 17, 2024. The selected contestant will be required to correctly answer a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question without mechanical aid before being declared a winner.
2. Prizes - The prize to be awarded is one (1) prize of $1,000.00 CAD (the “Prize”). The University reserves the right to make prize substitutions of equivalent value in the event of unavailability of the prize or any aspect thereof for reasons beyond the control of the University. The prize must be accepted as awarded without substitution and cannot be transferred.
3. Selection of Winners - Winner will be selected from among all eligible entries received, in a random draw by a representative, or designate, of Alumni Relations on January 23, 2024. Participation will be verified with UM Connect attendance records for Career Month, and check-in for the Career Fair. Winner will be contacted by the contact information provided on the ballot. If he or she is unable to be reached in that manner within 24 hours of the draw, they will forfeit their prize and another eligible entry will be drawn. The Prize shall be mailed to the confirmed winner at the address they provide.
4. Contest Closing Date - The Contest closing date is 11:59 PM, CT January 17, 2024.
5. Contest Eligibility - Contestants must be 17 years of age or older, a current student enrolled at the University and a resident of Canada (excluding Quebec) to participate in this contest. Contestants under the age of 18 warrant they have their parent or guardian’s consent to enter. Employees of the University, and their immediate families with whom they reside are not eligible to win this contest. Contestants who are delinquent in any indebtedness to the University in respect of any other claims, or outstanding accounts are also not eligible to win.
6. Chances of Winning - The chances of winning the Prize will depend on the total number of eligible entries received before the contest closing date in accordance with these rules.
7. Release and Waiver - Winners may be required to complete, sign, and return a declaration, release and waiver of liability in the form provided by the University within the time specified by the University, and must have abided by the Contest Rules. Failure to return the duly completed declaration, release and waiver form, if required, within the time stipulated or failure to abide by these Rules will result in disqualification and another entry will be randomly selected from the remaining eligible entries.
8. Decisions Final - By entering the Contest, contestants agree to be bound by these Contest Rules and agree that all decisions made by the University with respect to all aspects of this Contest are final and not subject to challenge. These rules may be amended at any time by the University without notice. The University expressly reserves the right to take any steps it deems necessary in its absolute discretion, including the limiting of entries and the exclusion of contestants, in order to ensure that the contest is conducted in a fair way for all contestants and for the University.
9. No Liability – The University and its employees, agents, representatives, promotional agencies and assignees shall not be responsible in any way for loss or damage arising from the use of or, bear any liability whatsoever in any way attributable to, the Prize awarded in this Contest or the entry by any contestant herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the University assumes no responsibility or liability for any risk or dangers associated with the acceptance or use of the prizes awarded as part of this contest or any liability associated with or arising from online or electronic entries, and expressly disclaims liability from loss or damage to a contestant's, or any other person’s, computer system or other hardware resulting from participating in the contest and for any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems or servers, computer software problems or traffic congestion on the internet or at any website.
10. Entries belong to the University - All entries become the property of the University and will not be returned.
11. Lost Entries - The University is not responsible for any lost, misdirected, illegible, incomplete or delayed entries.
12. Consent to Use and Personal Information - By entering the contest, contestants’ consent to the use and publication of their name, photograph, voice or statements in connection with the contest or any subsequent similar contest held by the University, without payment or compensation other than the chance to win the prize awarded. The personal information obtained from the contest entry form will not be used or disclosed by the University for any purpose other than general contest administration and the purpose set forth herein.
13. Applicable Laws - This contest is subject to all applicable, federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations.
14. Cancellations, Suspensions or Modifications - The University may, in its discretion, cancel, suspend or modify this Contest, without liability to anyone whatsoever. If this is an online contest and for any reason the online portion is not capable of being completed as planned, including but not limited to computer lines, bugs, tampering, technical failures or other causes beyond its control, the University reserves the right to cancel, suspend or modify the online portion of the contest.
15. Email Addresses - In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on an email address, the winning entry will be deemed to be made by the person who was assigned the email address by an internet service provider or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the email address in question at the time of entry.
16. Errors and Omissions Excepted - The University is not responsible for any errors whatsoever in the Contest Rules or promotion of the Contest, including without limitation any printing, distribution or production errors and may, in its discretion, withdraw this contest if it is found to contain any such error, without liability to anyone whatsoever.
NOVEMBER 1 - 30, 2023 Career Month Schedule
Week 1 | November 1 - 4
Wednesday, November 1
- 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.| Career Month Kick-Off (hosted by Career Services & UMSU) - 1st floor UMSU University Centre
- 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Career Month Kickoff at Bannatyne Campus
- 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Indigenous Career Consultant Drop-in Services at Migizii Agamik
Thursday, November 2
- 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Volunteer Fair
Week 2 | November 5 - 9
Monday, November 6
- 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Career Services on the Go - Dafoe Library
Tuesday, November 7
- 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Occupational Safety and Health Workshop, presented by Safe Workers of Tomorrow
- 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Indigenous Career Consultant Drop-in Services at Migizii Agamik
- 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | WCVM Admissions Panel with Manitoba Vets and Vet Students
Wednesday, November 8
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Business Planning: Strategies and Tools for Success
- 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Resumé and Cover Letter Workshop
Thursday, November 9
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Interview Preparation Workshop
Week 3 | November 11 - 17
Tuesday, November 14
- 9:00 a.m. - November 15, 4:00 p.m. | Better Together
- 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Exploring Grad School Virtual Fair (virtual)
- 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Undergraduate Research Opportunities at Bannatyne Campus (virtual)
Wednesday, November 15
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Indigenous Career Consultant Drop-in Services at Migizii Agamik
Thursday, November 16
- 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Career Services Open House for Students & Staff
Friday, November 17
- 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Introduction to Community Work (off-campus location)
Week 4 | November 18 - 24
Saturday, November 18
- 9:00 a.m. | HYPER Interactive Tech and Arts Conference
Monday, November 20
- 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Career Services on the Go - Arts Fletcher Argue
- 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Canadian Workplace Culture, presented by Manitoba Start (virtual)
Tuesday, November 21
- 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Job Search: Building a Strategy & Identifying Employers
- 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Marketing Your Foreign Credentials, presented by Manitoba Start (virtual)
- 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Indigenous Career Consultant Drop-in Services at Migizii Agamik
Wednesday, November 22
- 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Mini Indigenous Career Fair
- 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Understanding Your Career Preferences
Thursday, November 23
- 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Resumé and Cover Letter Workshop (virtual)
- 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | (Re)Writing your Career
Friday, November 24
- 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Creating Your Future: Careers in Fine Arts
Week 5 | November 25 - 30
Monday, November 27
- 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Career Services on the Go - Dafoe Library
- 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Leveraging LinkedIn in Your Career (virtual)
Tuesday, November 28
- 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Networking Workshop
- 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Canada Foundation for Innovation: How to build a career in environmental sustainability (virtual)
Wednesday, November 29
- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Igniting Your Creativity - Stu Clark
- 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Indigenous Career Consultant Drop-in Services at Migizii Agamik
- 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Employment Standards Info Session, presented by Safe Workers of Tomorrow (virtual)
Thursday, November 30
- 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Discover Mentoring!
Employer Advice
From resume and interview tips to general career advice, check out what these industry experts have to say…
Career Myths
A career is like an opinion – everyone has one. But when it comes to career opinions, it is worthwhile to ensure you are carefully separating career fact from career fiction. We at Career Services have heard a few career myths in our day, and we want to debunk them for you so your next career steps are based on the best information available.
Myth: I need Canadian work or volunteer experience to apply for a job in Canada.
Fact: Canadian employers value transferrable skills that can be gained from a variety of experiences.
Take Action! Attend a Career Services employment workshop to learn how to identify how your experiences might match to potential employment requirements. To view and register for the employment workshops visit UM Connect
Myth: To move forward in my career, I need to know right now what occupation I want.
Fact: It’s possible to move forward in your career journey without making one big career decision.
Take Action! Book an appointment with a Career Consultant by calling 204-474-9456 to learn how to move forward in career planning.
Myth: I can’t gain relevant experience in my occupation of choice because I have not completed my degree yet.
Fact: Volunteering is a great way to gain relevant skills to increase your employability.
Take Action: Attend the Volunteer Fair on November 2nd, 10 am - 2 pm
Myth: I am not currently looking for a job, so I do not need to meet with employers at this time.
Fact: It is never too early to get advice from employers. It is always a good idea to be proactive in your career.
Take Action: Attend the January Career Fair to network with employers.
Myth: Each university program prepares a student for one specific occupation.
Fact: All university grads have 100s of different occupational options.
Take Action: Meet with a Career Consultant to learn about various occupational options. Call 204-474-9456 to book an appointment.
Myth: I should visit Career Services to help me find a job after graduation
Fact: Career Services helps all University of Manitoba students with career decision making, ongoing career planning and job search throughout their degree. We can offer advice about ways to identify and explore career ideas, build skills through volunteer or extra-curricular experience, and strategies to find meaningful and related employment to help you reach your career and academic goals.
Take Action! Start your career planning early in your degree to explore your interests and build marketable skills! Use our online resources or book an appointment with a Career Consultant by calling (204) 474-9456.
Myth: The only reason to network is to look for a job
Fact: Networking is a great way to gather career information, get advice from professionals and learn about an industry or specific occupation.
Take Action! Register for the Career Mentor Program for a one hour informational interview by emailing cmp@umanitoba.ca or use UM Café to chat with people from all over the globe about industry-specific knowledge.
Myth: The only way to find jobs is to check job postings on the Internet
Fact: In Canada, overall 60% of employers use personal contacts, referrals and informal networks to recruit candidates. This recruitment strategy is used just as frequently as posting positions on company websites. (Government of Manitoba, 2019).
Take action! Attend a Job Search Workshop at Career Services to learn about effective job search. Register on UM Connect
Myth: If I want to work in health care, I need to be a doctor or nurse
Fact: There are 40,000 occupations in Canada, including over 170 occupations in healthcare such as occupational therapist, respiratory therapist, epidemiologist, and physician assistant.
Take Action! Meet with a Career Consultant to help you to explore various occupations. Call (204) 474-9456 to book an appointment!
Myths: As an Arts grad, my employment options will be limited
Fact: 55% of professionals with Bachelor's degrees over 30 countries have a background in social sciences or humanities and work across all industries, including business, healthcare and government (British Council, 2015).
Take action! Meet with a Career Consultant to help you to explore various occupations. Call (204) 474-9456 to book an appointment!
Myth: Paid experience is the only experience employers value
Fact: Employers value transferable skills that you develop through a variety of experiences both paid and unpaid. Volunteering allows you to build many marketable skills that employers look for and helps you learn about yourself and your work preferences.
Take Action! Develop your skills by volunteering. Attend the Volunteer Fair on November 2nd.
Myth: Career fairs are only for graduates looking for full-time work
Fact: All students should attend fairs early in their studies to discover the skills and attributes employers are looking for. The sooner you understand what employers are looking for, the more time you have to build relevant skills and knowledge!
Take Action! Visit the annual January Career Fair which hosts close to 100 employers.
Myth: A PhD only qualifies you to work in academia
Fact: 1 in 5 PhDs are employed as full-time university professors. Most PhDs are employed outside of academia, with the majority working in government, industry or not-for profit organizations (Conference Board of Canada, 2015).
Take Action! Meet with a Career Consultant to learn about occupations outside of academia relevant to your field. Call (204) 474-9456 to book an appointment.
Myth: A career is a dream job. It is a moment in time you are working towards.
Fact: Career development is the lifelong process of managing learning, work, leisure, and transitions in order to move toward a personally determined and evolving preferred future. It encompasses the development of the whole person and is more than just deciding on a major or a job. It really is a lifelong process, meaning that throughout life a person changes, situations change, and every individual must continually make career and life decisions” (CERIC, 2012).
Take Action! Your career is already happening — take charge by meeting with a Career Consultant to discuss what’s next for you! Call (204) 474-9456.
Career Articles
Career Consultant Tips
The Career Services team is full of useful advice that can help you envision your future and take charge of your career. We’ve gathered favourite tips from our staff members which you can use right now. And remember, if you want to meet the real, non-bitmoji experts behind this advice, you can meet with us online or by phone for tailored tips for your own career by emailing cs.receptionist@umanitoba.ca or calling 204-474-9456.
