Career Month
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, 2021
Career and Workforce Development 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 22+ virtual events including the Employer Advice-Career Café, Volunteer Fair, and Arts Career Round Table.
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 careerCONNECT for upcoming event details and to register.
On this page:
Career Month event highlights
NOVEMBER 1 - 30, 2021 Career Month Schedule
Week 1 | November 1 - 7
Monday, November 1
- All Day | Career Month Kick-Off and UMStudent Instagram Takeover
- 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | SKIP THE DISHES Info Session
Wednesday, November 3
- 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Resumé and Cover Letter Workshop
- 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Networking Workshop
- 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Preventing Procrastination
Thursday, November 4
- 12:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Voices of Inclusion Series - Women in Leadership and Careers in Insurance
- 2:30 - 4 p.m. | Know Yourself to Know Your Career
- 2:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Arts Career Round Table
Friday, November 5
- 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Careers in Insurance - Virtual Industry Day
Week 2 | November 8 - 14 | READING WEEK
Tuesday, November 9
- 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Enterprise Holdings Information Session
- 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) - New Professionals seminar
- 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Job Search Workshop
Thursday, November 10
- 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Discover Mentoring!
Week 3 | November 15 - 21
Monday, November 15
- 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Map Your Career - Get The Experience That Will Move You Forward!
Tuesday, November 16
- 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | How to Create a LinkedIn Profile
- 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Luck Isn't Everything: Creating Your Own Career Opportunities
- 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Career Lab (UM Alumni Relations) – Intro to Money Management
Wednesday, November 17
- 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | UM Volunteer Fair - Volunteer Manitoba and UM Career Services
Thursday, November 18
- 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Interview Preparation Workshop
- 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | (Re)Storying Your Career
Week 4 | November 22 - 28
Monday, November 22
- 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. | Discover Mentoring!
Tuesday, November 23
- 11:00 - 11:55 a.m. | National Defence Indigenous Student Recruitment Gathering
- 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Communication and Conflict: Skills to Build Positive Relationships and Improve Your Interactions With Others
Wednesday, November 24
- 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Resume and Cover Letter Workshop
- 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Enterprise Holdings Information Session
Thursday, November 25
- 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Job Search Workshop
- 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Employer Advice - Career Café - Drop in to this come-and-go event to speak with reps from RBC, City of Winnipeg, D2L, DASCH, Staffmax & CAHRD
- 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | CIC Talks Careers - Global Mentors Spotlight
Friday, November 26
- 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Mitacs Information Session: How to Discover Internship Opportunities
Week 5 | November 29 + 30
Monday, November 30
- 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Career Choices - Figuring Out Your Future
- 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Career Lab (UM Alumni Relations) – Creating Online Portfolios
- 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Coming Together: Career & Post-Secondary Planning
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. Check back regularly and via @UMStudent for more debunked myths throughout the month.
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 careerCONNECT.
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! Attend the Map Your Career workshop on November 15th from 1:30-3:30 PM to learn about ways you can move forward without knowing exactly what you want to be. To register visit careerCONNECT.
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 17th 10am-2pm. To register visit CareerCONNECT.
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 Employer Advice- Career Café event on November 25th from 11am-1:30pm to gain advice from human resource professionals about what employers look for. Register on careerCONNECT.
Myth: Each university program prepares a student for one specific occupation.
Fact: All university grads have 100s of different occupational options.
Take Action: Attend a Career Choices workshop on November 30th from 1:00-3:00PM to learn about you, your interests, values, personality and the occupations that align with you. Register on careerCONNECT.
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 emailing cs.receptionist@umanitoba.ca or 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 CareerCONNECT.
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. Email cs.receptionist@umanitoba.ca or 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! Attend the Arts Career Round Table on November 4th (2:30-5PM) to meet with Arts grads from a variety of industries! Register on CareerCONNECT.
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 17th (10am-2PM) to learn about various volunteer opportunities. Register on CareerCONNECT.
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 on January 20, 2022 - 10:00 to 4:00.
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. Email cs.receptionist@umanitoba.ca or 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! To book an appointment email cs.receptionist@umanitoba.ca or 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.