Hello everyone! It’s me again, Fabiana. I hope all of you are doing great with your studies, work, friends, family and personal life!

Today my blog topic will be a little bit different from what I’m used to writing, but it is a topic I enjoy and am very interested in. I will be talking about one of my favourite departments at University Canada West, the Career Development Centre (CDC); specifically, the career workshops and events they offer.

As an international student, I have always been interested in the Canadian workplace culture. The workplace is where I can apply everything I have learned throughout the years and create lifetime memories. But of course, there are still recurring questions that come to my mind about how to apply to a Canadian company, what experience I need and what documents I need to apply, among others. I was looking for answers and didn’t know where to find them; it wasn’t until the first email I received from the UCW Student Affairs department about “next week’s events” that I knew this was my divine “sign” to all the answers I was looking for. I started to attend most of the events that Student Affairs hosted, and suddenly, little by little, they solved most of my doubts, and my perspective about entering the Canadian market changed utterly.

After joining most of the events, I realized University Canada West has a solid department that specializes in answering these questions; they not only host events and workshops, but the Career Development Centre also offers in-person and virtual appointments for career advising and exploration, interview and job search skills, resumé and cover letter review and skills evaluation.

That’s why I’m here today writing about this topic because I want you to know the importance of the events and workshops and all the information posted on the CDC navigation tab. It helped me, and I’m pretty sure it will help you, too.

The Career Development Centre

How can I attend events and workshops hosted by the CDC?

It’s super easy to join the unique events and workshops offered by the CDC! Go to the MyUCW Student Portal, click on the Career Development Centre tab in the navigation menu, and click on Workshops/Events.

You will see the date, time, event name and description, the link to join and if you can’t join the event, the recording link.

They usually prepare events two months in advance, so you have plenty of time to work out your schedule. You will also receive weekly emails from Student Affairs with updates on upcoming events.

What are the events and workshops about?

The events and workshops they host are not only about career growth, but also about study permits and study permit extension, course registration and APA citation styles. Some workshops hosted in the past include How to Create a Winning Resumé and Cover Letter Workshop, How to Build a Compelling LinkedIn Profile and How to Get the Desired Job. 

Booking an appointment online

If you need help or want to talk directly to the Career Development Centre, they will be more than happy to help you. Just click on Book a Virtual Appointment and click on the red button below.

On-campus drop-in appointments

The Career Development Centre is available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm at the UCW West Pender Campus, CDC Office, located on the main floor next to Student Affairs.

My experience with the CDC team

I have had excellent experiences not only with their events but also with the staff. They are so kind and are always available to help whenever you need them. I booked a virtual appointment with Tamara Papo, and we had a fantastic talk; she helped me with everything I needed and solved all my doubts.

My favourite events

The top seven events I have loved so far are:

  1. Career connections
  2. How to Create a LinkedIn Profile
  3. Interview Skills
  4. How to Get Canadian Work Experience
  5. Professional Networking and the Hidden Job Market
  6. Virtual Internships
  7. Volunteer Opportunities

Tips from an international student

To conclude, I am delighted to say that University Canada West counts on a solid team that provides all the resources for students to start their careers in the Canadian market.

I know how challenging it can sometimes be to work and study at the same time, but make it a priority to attend most of the events; you will get all the benefits.

Here are some tips I have for you:

  1. Every Saturday, make your week’s schedule, so you can plan out what you need to do
  2. Make priorities
  3. If you cannot attend the events, watch the recordings
  4. Take advantage of all the resources that the University offers

That’s all for today! Thanks for reading and see you next time!

Written by UCW BCom Student Fabiana C.

Published on November 5, 2022.