Career Conversations connects students and alums (participants) with professionals working in a variety of areas (hosts) to learn about their career stories. Students and alums can select a host to conduct a career informational interview with. Through this short, virtual conversation (0.5-1 hour) participants can ask career related questions to learn from the host’s professional experience. This program is offered in collaboration with Alumni Relations.

Career Conversation is an opportunity to:

• Learn about potential career options and ways to apply education, training and/or experience;
• Clarify work-related preferences and interests (e.g., work environment, sector, tasks);
• Develop knowledge of the industry, occupation or field as well as the specific vocabulary within that field;
• Make useful connections with professionals;
• Increase confidence in the work search process.

Career Conversations are voluntary (unpaid) and are not tied to an academic program. Due to the nature of the program, there is no guarantee that every host and participant will be matched, or of the number of opportunities that will be provided/taken. The program is designed to create short, meaningful, online opportunities that harness the expertise of hosts and support participants as required.

This program runs continuously throughout the year.

Information for Hosts

As a host, you could provide one or multiple Career Conversation opportunities where:

• You are interviewed virtually by a participant (student or alum) for 0.5-1 hour
• You provide a safe, respectful learning environmental and share your career stories
• You develop your personal leadership skills and provide new professional with the support you had (or wish you had) when you first started working 

Any contact that continues beyond the Career Conversations program is at the discretion of the hosts and participants.

With the launch of this new program, host registration is open before participant registration. As such, you may not be selected by a participant until a month or more after your registration. Please consider extending the “Expiry Date” for your opportunity as mentioned in the Host Registration Guidebook below.

Host registration is available throughout the year on campusBRIDGE. Please review the Host Registration Guidebook or instructions on how to register and details on being a host.

There are no direct costs associated with hosts’ participation.

Register as a Host

Information for Participants

The Career Conversations program welcomes all current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as U of A alums.

To register for this program:

1. Submit your registration on campusBRIDGE
2. Complete a mandatory training course
3. Explore the Career Conversation opportunities board and select a host based on your specific interests
4. Contact your matched host and arrange a time to meet online. Please note that it is your responsibility to schedule the meeting with your host.

Please be advised that matches are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. While we strive to accommodate all participants, we cannot guarantee a match for every individual.

You are welcome to engage in as many opportunities as you wish; however, each participant may be matched with up to 3 Career Conversation hosts per month.

Registration is available throughout the calendar year on campusBRIDGE. Please follow the instructions provided on the Participant Registration Guidebook to complete your registration.

There are no direct costs associated with participating in this program.

Register as a Participant