Career Month

Join us for a series of career and employment workshops and special events throughout November. The kick off starts November 1.

Graphic image of students being productive

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:

Event Schedule Career Myths

Career Articles Career Tips

Career Month event highlights

NOVEMBER 1 - 30, 2021 Career Month Schedule

Week 1 | November 1 - 7

Monday, November 1

Wednesday, November 3

Thursday, November 4

Friday, November 5

Week 2 | November 8 - 14 | READING WEEK

Tuesday, November 9

Thursday, November 10

Week 3 | November 15 - 21

Monday, November 15

Tuesday, November 16

Wednesday, November 17

Thursday, November 18

Week 4 | November 22 - 28

Monday, November 22

Tuesday, November 23

Wednesday, November 24

Thursday, November 25

Friday, November 26

Week 5 | November 29 + 30

Monday, November 30

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.

Bitmoji of Rebecca Balakrishnan, Career Consultant, holding books and reacding

Rebecca Balakrishnan, Career Consultant

“It’s normal to feel unsure about your career. In fact, the best opportunities often come when we have our minds open to new ideas! Be curious, pay attention, put yourself out there, and your career will take you in a meaningful direction.”

Bitmoji of Stefanie Books, Career Consultant with a mug of coffee

Stefanie Books, Career Consultant

“Explore opportunities by getting involved! Volunteering, part-time work, and joining a club or group looks great on your resumé and helps you learn about yourself and your working preferences.”

Bitmoji of Harpreet Dade, Career Consultant, reading books

Harpreet Dade, Career Consultant

“Create a mini-database (e.g. notebook or Excel spreadsheet) to track your professional experiences and accomplishments. You can use this powerful tool to reflect, make informed career decisions and to update your resumé. In addition, writing down your accomplishments will help you articulate these at an interview or at a networking event.”

Bitmoji of Lindsey Hiebert, Career Consultant, waving through a laptop screen

Lindsey Hiebert, Career Consultant

“Job interviews are tough for everyone, there’s no getting around it. But preparation and practice are key to success! Do your research, anticipate questions, and practice your answers so you’ll appear polished and professional. I highly recommend using your smartphone to record yourself answering a question so you can assess what impression you’re making on an employer. It might not be a lot of fun, but it will pay off.”

Bitmoji of Connie Korchak, Career Consultant, giving a High Five!

Connie Korchak, Career Consultant

“Invest in yourself, you are worth it! Take the time to self reflect. Do you know what motivates you? What are the things most important to you, your values, the things you like to do and don’t like to do, in what kind of environment do you see yourself working? What problems would you like to solve? Consider your answers to these questions when you are researching occupations or educational programs to find a good fit for you.”

Bitmoji of Trevor Lehmann, Career Consultant, singing with a to-go coffee

Trevor Lehmann, Career Consultant

“Stop asking yourself what job you will do until retirement. Trying to predict who you will be or what the world will look like when you are 40, 50, or 60 is an exercise in futility. Ask yourself instead, what does the world need and what do I want to do first!”

Bitmoji of Cathy Lunda, Indigenous Career Advisor, saying shhhh

Cathy Lund, Indigenous Career Advisor

“When you get an interview, you have already made the grade in some way. I recommend taking the “Tell me about yourself” question and making a good impression by including info that shows a clear fit for the job you are interviewing for. At the end, make sure you have genuine questions about the challenges and rewards of the role and the workplace”

Bitmoji of Lasha Stordeur, Career Advisor & Career Mentor Program Coordinator, reading a book while sitting on a pile of oversized books

Lasha Stordeur, Career Advisor & Career Mentor Program Coordinator

“Take some time to reflect on your interests and values, gather career information and set meaningful and realistic goals for yourself. Make connections, explore occupations and stay open to possibilities, since it’s never too late to make a change in your career!"

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