Launch Your Career
An event series to give you the skills, industry know-how and connections to launch your career post-graduation.
April 29 & 30, 2024
What's your next move?
The world of work is evolving rapidly, and so is how we collaborate and connect. This presents an exciting opportunity for students who are looking to make their next move, begin their job search and build their network. What skills will be in demand? Where will the next great prospects be?
At Launch Your Career, you can participate in focused career conversations, skills development and exciting connections. Hear from local leaders and industry experts, grow your professional network and get the information you need to make your next big move.
Photo courtesy of Shanice Webb.
Keynote speaker Shanice Webb
Meet Shanice Webb, a Lecturer & Fellow in the Life Design Lab at Stanford University, where she designs curricula and teaches life design courses with a focus on belonging and inclusion. Shanice is a certified Designing Your Life workshop provider and the founder of Designing Black Experiences. With a background in health and wellness, Shanice is on a mission to help humans design lives of balance, meaning, and success. She has spent the last eight years teaching, facilitating and designing learning experiences that centre community and radical collaboration.
Shanice will be speaking on April 29. Make sure to register early to save a seat.
April 29
All events for this day are virtual.
9:15–10:30 a.m.
Delve into the idea of intentionally designing your professional journey. In this session, you will be introduced to the principles of design thinking, key designer mindsets, and how to apply this framework in career development beyond graduation.
10:45 a.m. – Noon
Step into the New Era of Work by proactively shaping your professional journey. This session delves into key trends such as remote work, the gig economy, and fostering inclusive workplaces. Learn how to harness the collaborative power of AI and automation to forge a path aligned with your aspirations.
The discussion is designed to empower participants, inspiring them to prototype their career trajectories.
Gain actionable insights to navigate the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of work with confidence.
1–2 p.m.
Discover international career opportunities and develop cross-cultural competencies essential for success. Break free from limiting career myths as you gain clarity on the next steps in your professional journey.
Through this session, you will understand how to challenge conventional career thinking to open doors to new and exciting opportunities.
Students can feel like they are equipped with the tools needed to not only survive but thrive in the evolving global job market.
April 30 (in person)
Hunter Commons Collision Space
9:15–10:15 a.m.
Explore skills, values, and interests that shape your worldview and workview. Discover how aligning these key elements can steer you toward fulfilling a meaningful professional path. This workshop will help students gain clarity and direction in their personal career development.
10:30 a.m.– Noon
Choose from 3 dynamic stations to elevate your career development experience while also getting your professional headshot.
- Personal Branding: Craft a distinctive personal brand that sets you apart in the professional landscape.
- Visioning your Career: Reflect on what energizes you about your career and use art supplies to create a take-home vision board reflecting your professional goals.
- What's your next Career Move? Use storytelling and story listening in a game format to generate possibilities for your future career and receive feedback to help you take inspired action!
Each station empowers you to shape your career journey. Choose your adventure and leave with a clearer vision for your career ahead.
1–1:45 p.m.
Learn about alumni mentorship opportunities, bridging supports and perks as you are welcomed to the alumni community.
Get inspired about what awaits you with alum and UCalgary Alumni’s Board President, Kate Wong, BN’12.
1:45–3:15 p.m.
Human resource professionals will unveil tips and strategies for a successful job search in 2024. From leveraging the latest technological trends to understanding the evolving expectations of employers, this session is your comprehensive guide to staying ahead in the competitive job market.
Gain exclusive insights on optimizing your resume, acing virtual interviews, and mastering the art of personal branding in the digital age.
3:30–4 p.m.
As the conference comes to a close, enjoy a relaxed networking opportunity.
Engage in casual conversations with employers and the staff where you can share your experiences, insights and aspirations.
Whether you're exploring potential career paths, seeking advice or simply looking to expand your professional network, this informal mingle is the perfect way to wrap up the event. Bonus — there will be all sorts of chocolate cookies for you to enjoy!
Build your skills
Attend a daily workshop to learn what core skills and competencies can help you be successful in your career.
Join the conversation
Hear from leaders, industry experts and employers to learn what's happening in our industries right now and what opportunities await you.
Take the next step
Participate in workshops, panels and networking session to get equipped with the skills, connections and knowledge to make the next move in your career.