ArtsWORKS Conference

12:05-12:50 p.m. Focus on International Students: Round Table on Working in Alberta

Panel: Yunghee Lee, AWE Alumni, U of A Office of the Student Ombuds; Idara Effiom, International Student Engagement Intern; Caroline Lawson, International Officer, Faculty of Arts; Ruslan Bergenov, Divisional Data & Reporting Coordinator; and more to be announced.
Each speaker on our panel was once an international student, graduated with a degree from the University of Alberta's Faculty of Arts and went on to pursue a successful career in Alberta. Our speakers will share their career highlights and offer advice regarding the work search process. You are encouraged to ask questions!

12:05-12:50 p.m. Mentorship: How Mentors Help You Identify Your Goals and Achieve Career Outcomes

Presenter: Amy Roy Gratton, Career Education Coordinator, U of A Career Centre
Career Mentors through the Career Centre Career Mentoring Program are professionals in the workplace who want to see you succeed, who challenge you and support you and provide vision for your next steps. In this session we'll engage in an activity that will help you explore how a career mentor can help you achieve your career goals. Be prepared for some discussion, some interaction and to leave the session with some ideas on how to achieve your goals by breaking them down into 3-5 steps.

11:10 a.m. - noon Financial Sector

Panel: Gwendoline Hunka, ATB101, Brand Marketing Student, ATB Financial; Robert Frigon, Financial Advisor, Sun Life Financial; and Katherine Wentzell, Regional Manager - Western Canada, RBC Global Asset Management

There are many diverse career options within the financial sector, including opportunities to be your own boss! Join the panel to learn more about what it's like to work in this field, and the skills and experience that the financial sector demands.

1:10 - 2 p.m. Human and Community Services

Panel: Danisha Bhaloo, Manager, Fund Development, Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters Edmonton; Philippe Phan, Volunteer Resource Coordinator, Canadian Mental Health Association - Edmonton Region; and more to be announced

Are you interested in working with people in the human and community services sector? If so, this session is for you. Come learn more about a day in the life of professionals working in various organizations. You will also receive information about a program designed to get students and recent graduates involved in working with human and community service organizations.

2:10 - 3 p.m. Creative and Innovative Fields
Panel: Adam Gaumont, Digital Strategist, DDB Edmonton; Ashley Janssen, Co-Founder & CEO, Code Effect; and Aaron Talbot, Arts Branch Consultant - Communications, Government of Alberta

Do you want a career that allows for creativity and innovation? In this session you will hear first-hand perspectives about working in creative industries, how to get your foot in the door, and information about how to put your creativity to work.

3:10 - 4 p.m. Public Sector
Panel: Sarah Hoekstra, Recruitment Consultant, City of Edmonton; Sharmin Allidina, Government of Alberta Ambassador; and Breanna Morin, Human Resources Services Assistant, Government of Canada

Attend this session to learn more about employment options within the public sector. Hear first-hand perspectives about working for public sector organizations the range of job opportunities available to Arts students, necessary skills and qualifications, and where to look for available positions.

11:10 a.m. - noon Strategies to Increase Your Employment Opportunities Before You Graduate

Presenters: Amy Roy Gratton, Experiential Learning Coordinator, U of A Career Centre and Madisen Gee, AWE Communications and Program Support Intern, Faculty of Arts

You've heard of the phrase "It's all about who you know" when it comes to finding work. So how do you get to know the right people, gain the right experience and learn the right skills before you graduate? In this session we'll explore the many programs that help students connect with mentors and learn strategies for success. We'll provide tips on how to build a strong application for the Career Mentoring Program, U of A Job Shadow Week, the Non-Profit Board Student Internship Program and Arts Work Experience. We'll explore how 'learning by doing' can help you develop the right skills, knowledge, attitudes and connections to be competitive in the world of work.

1:10 - 2 p.m. Gaining International Study, Work and Volunteer Experience

Presenters: Ciara Murrin, International Internship Coordinator (Outbound), University of Alberta International and more to be announced

Learn how you can integrate career related international work experience (paid or volunteer) into your time on campus. Opportunities will also be explored for students nearing graduation and recent graduates.

2:10 - 3 p.m. Connecting to Community through CSL
Presenters: Jill Flaman, Communications and Program Coordinator, Faculty of Arts, Community Service-Learning; Erin Kelly, CSL Partnership Coordinator; and Mpoe Mogale, CSL Student Intern

Learn how you can integrate experiential learning opportunities in community throughout your undergraduate degree. Hear from experienced staff, students, and alumni.

3:10 - 4 p.m. Research Experience as an Undergraduate Student
Presenter: Natalie Eng, Undergraduate Research Initiative Programs Assistant

Think "undergraduate research" is only for students who want to go to grad school? Think again! No matter what your future career goals, undergraduate research can be a great way to apply what you've learned in the classroom and to develop both discipline-specific and transferable skills that employers (and graduate schools) are looking for. In this session, we'll discuss how to find research opportunities in the Arts, how to use your research experience to develop skills employers want, and how to communicate those skills on graduate school or job applications.

11:10 a.m. - noon Why Should I Hire You? The Skills Employers Want

Presenters: Laura Kerslake, Work Experience Coordinator, Faculty of Arts; Manpreet Grewal, Community Communicator, Edmonton Police Service; and Rachel Wieringa, Certification Program Writer, Government of Alberta

Trying to figure out what employers are looking for in applicants can be exhausting! This session will provide insight into the types of skills employers are looking for, and how you can identify and communicate your skills effectively to employers. Understanding the skills employers want will not only help with your career management process, but also in creating outstanding job applications that will get noticed!

1:10 - 2 p.m. Resume Building for Arts Students

Presenter: Christine Gertz, Career and Information Specialist, U of A Career Centre

This presentation will help you to identify the experiences and attributes gained through your Arts degree. You will also learn how to present these qualities effectively through the creation a targeted resume. You will gain the knowledge and resources needed to align yourself with a prospective employer and stand out as a unique individual.

2:10 - 3 p.m. Tips and Tricks for Writing Effective and Engaging Cover Letters

Presenter: Laura Kerslake, Work Experience Coordinator, Faculty of Arts

If you hate writing cover letters, and you never know what information to include, this is the session for you! In this session you will learn strategies on how to write and effective and engaging cover letter that will capture the reader's attention. The tips and tricks provided will leave you feeling confident on how to write a new outstanding cover letter for every job posting you apply to.

3:10 - 4 p.m. Finding a Job: What Works?

Presenter: Christine Gertz, Career and Information Specialist, U of A Career Centre

When you are looking for work, what methods actually lead to a job interview or a job offer? Using results from our 2015 Graduate Employment Survey, the Career Centre looked specifically at responses to just that question, which about 900 U of A graduates answered. This presentation explains how to use these methods to find relevant employment opportunities.