Launch Your Career Conference

9:00-11:00 a.m.

Transitioning from student to professional is a journey of growth, often accompanied by uncertainty and self-doubt. If you’re waiting to feel confident before taking the next step, you’re not alone—75% of people feel stuck, and 85% struggle with low self-confidence.

In this keynote, Cara Poppitt introduces her Get Unstuck, Cycle of Change model, showing that confidence follows action, not the other way around. Backed by science and real-life success stories, Cara’s approach empowers you to take bold steps, embrace change, and unlock your full potential.

11:00-12:00 p.m.

In today’s fast-paced world, identifying and honing the right skills at the right time can make all the difference in your career trajectory. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore practical strategies for identifying their key strengths and skills, and learn how to leverage them for career success.

We’ll guide you through a step-by-step process to:

• Reflect on your current abilities and potential for growth.

• Pinpoint transferable skills that can boost your career prospects.

• Align your skills with the evolving demands of the job market.

• Develop a personalized plan for skill development, ensuring you’re prepared for opportunities as they arise.

1:00-2:00 p.m.

In this hands-on career workshop, you’ll plant a seed to take home while exploring the metaphor of growing a plant as a way to understand and nurture your unique career interests, talents, and motivations. Guided by life design principles, you’ll learn how to prototype small, actionable steps to cultivate your career growth. Leave with practical tools, fresh insights, and the first steps to transform your career into something you’re excited to grow!

11:00-12:00 p.m.

In this 60-minute workshop, students will learn how to optimize their resumes using AI tools like ChatGPT. The session covers how to reflect on key accomplishments, enhance resume language, and tailor content for specific job postings. Students will engage in hands-on activities to refine their resumes with AI, improving clarity, incorporating strong action verbs, and aligning their content with job descriptions. By the end of the workshop, participants will have practical skills to create standout resumes that appeal to employers, using AI as a powerful tool in their career development.

1:00-2:00 p.m.

Participants will gain essential insights into the most common and challenging interview questions asked by employers. This interactive session will break down each question, offering strategies for crafting thoughtful, confident responses that highlight your skills and experiences. Through practical exercises and real-life examples, students will learn how to effectively prepare for interviews, manage nerves, and articulate their value to potential employers. By the end of the workshop, attendees will be equipped with the tools to answer with clarity and poise, giving them a competitive edge in any interview setting.

2:00-3:00 p.m.

This session will encourage the exploration of three types of intuition (emotional, somatic, and cognitive) and how they can be instrumental in life design, including making good decisions (career, academic, personal). Intuition can make these decisions more congruent with our authentic selves, increasing life satisfaction.

6:30-8:00 p.m.

Discover why assertiveness is essential for building interpersonal relationships. This workshop helps build your confidence and communication skills. Learn how to act assertively by expressing your feelings and thoughts directly and firmly.

11:00-12:00 p.m.

This session highlights recruitment behind the scenes and why networking is so important. Hear from a former recruitment specialist on her experience, do's and don'ts, and receive information on how to cultivate your own network. 

1:00-2:00 p.m.

Discover diverse career opportunities at the University of Calgary and beyond! This event connects students with HR leaders who will share real-world insights into their industries and offer valuable advice on the skills and competencies needed for a successful transition into the workforce. Our esteemed HR panel features Lana Janmohammed (UCalgary Recruitment and Sourcing Partner), Sophie LeBlanc (CTMP, HRPA Practitioner), Chloe Lyons (Independent HR/Talent Consultant), and Diana Khadeem (HR (CPHR/CHRL, RPR) & Communications Professional).
 

OPTIONAL: Cookies and Connect 
2:00-2:30 p.m.

After the HR panel discussion, attendees can join us for a casual networking session where you can enjoy delicious cookies and connect with employers and staff. This is a great opportunity to build relationships, ask questions, and explore career opportunities in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.