I know you’re very busy, but please take the time to scroll down this newsletter to see the extraordinary number of career events that we, at CaPS, have organized for you this month that will help you with your future career and job search. I’m very proud and excited about what we have to offer you. Please take note and attend as many as you can. By the way, we always welcome your feedback.
Hello everyone! I represent Public Service Canada on campus and want to inform you about the variety of jobs that students can apply for within the Government of Canada.
For those of you who are currently full-time students and will be returning to full-time studies next year, it is possible to work for the government throughout the year or over the summer. Over 8000 students are hired each year through The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) to work for different federal departments and agencies. There is a tremendous variety of jobs located all across Canada. All you have to do to be eligible is fill out the on-line FSWEP application.
If you would like to know more or have any questions at all, feel free to contact me or come to my office hours in CaPS on Tuesdays from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
Do you need help choosing a major or a career path?
CaPS, in collaboration with Counselling Services, offers the Program for Advancement of Career Explorations (PACE). This amazing series of four workshops includes vocational testing and a complete self-assesment. Upon completion of PACE you will be able to understand your personality type, identify your skills, interests and values, and how they relate to various occupations. As well, you will have a better understanding of the available resources and be able to create a realistic action plan with measurable goals.
P.A.C.E. is available to undergraduate and graduate students, both at the Downtown and Macdonald campuses.
There is a fee of $20 to cover the cost of vocational testing. Each session is limited to only 15 students, so register soon to ensure that you get a spot!
To register, please go to the Career Planning Service office at either campus.
Am I wasting my degree? Should I go back to school? How do I know if I’m in the right field? Will taking time off now hurt me later?
Career Options Magazine on-line introduces Blogspot which features articles on all the questions you need answers to right now. Guest bloggers—including students, new hires and career counsellors—share their thoughts and experiences about post-secondary education, entering the workforce, finding the “right” job and getting a career on track. Our registered users also have access to guidance from in-house career experts. Click here to access the website.
The Mentor Program links current McGill students with working McGill alumni. It gives you the rare opportunity to enter into a professional relationship that can help shape your career path by giving you insider information. You will have the opportunity to receive advice, build professional networks and ask any and all questions about the realities of work and life beyond the classroom.
With the McGill Mentor Program, advice is free. Sign up or get more information online at caps.mcgill.ca/ci2 or contact the Mentor Program Coordinator at mentor.caps@mcgill.ca.
Vault is the world’s leading source of career information. It will make your efforts at researching employers, industries, and career subjects infinitely easier and more efficient.
Vault also has a ton of material on finding summer jobs and internships.
McGill subscribes to this service and you can check it out today (you must be connected to the McGill VPN).
myFuture has within it a resume builder which you can find in your Documents tab. This new feature provides all the resources you need to create and submit your resume. It's quick and easy to use and produces high-quality, professional-looking resumes you can access anytime, from any computer. Check it out by going to your Document tab from your myFuture homepage and click on the Resume Builder tab.
Undergraduate students can drop in to CaPS, where a Career Advisor or Peer Educator will provide basic feedback and suggestions regarding your CV. Should this revision period prove insufficient, we would recommend you make an individual appointment. Please know we unfortunately cannot review cover letters during this time.
For a listing of C.V. Drop-In times, please click here.
Please note space is limited.
Undergraduate students can also drop in to CaPS to speak with a Career Advisor without an appointment for a quick question as a preliminary meeting to help you set your future goals.
For a listing of Advising Drop-In times, please click here.
Please note space is limited.
Don't have time to come by our office in person? Then check out our online "Ask a Career Advisor" service. Click on the icon below.
Contact Us
CaPS is located in the Brown Student Services Building (3600 McTavish, Suite 2200).
We also have an office at Macdonald Campus in the Centennial Centre.
Check out our website for details on all our programs and services!
For further inquiries, or to book an appointment with an advisor, please email us or call 514-398-3304 or drop into our office.
Worldwide Work Edition
Have you always dreamed of working abroad? This edition of McGill's CaPScoop highlights opportunities for students interested in work that will take them to new places.
Whether you wish to find a career that will span the globe, or simply volunteer in a new place for the summer, CaPS provides you with the resources you need to make it happen.
If you have any questions, drop by one of our offices. We are always happy to help you!
CAPS is please to bring you Worldwide Careers Week focusing on the advantages of engaging in new and exciting opportunities working and volunteering abroad. Take this chance to expand your awareness and interest in global opportunities.
To register for the following events, please log-in tomyFuture. Click on the "Events" tab and then the "Workshops/Panels/Events" tab. Keyword search "WWCW," select the event you would like to attend and click on "RSVP."
US Working Visas Nov 15, 2:30-4:30 pm, Brown 5001
Great Worldwide ExperiencesPanel Nov. 16, 4:30-6:00 pm, Brown 5001
Worldwide Organizations Fair Nov. 17, 12:00-3:00 pm, Brown 5001
Cultural Awareness Poster Presentation Nov. 17, 12:00-3:00 pm, Brown 2200
Worldwide Teaching English Panel Nov. 18, 5:00- 7:00 pm, Brown 5001
Get all you need from Going Global and The Big Guide (Workshop) Nov 19, 10:30-11:30 pm, Brown 5001
November 2010 is the return of our bi-annual Diversity Week. This semester’s theme is “Being Successful”. This Week is designed to promote the value of diversity in the workplace through panel discussions and targeted workshops. We will be focusing on success – what it means and how it can be achieved.
During this week you will have the opportunity to hear some amazing speakers talk about their career paths – describing their challenges and successes along the way. The panels will also give you the opportunity to also network with our guest speakers who work in a variety of interesting environments.
To register for the following events, please log-in tomyFuture. Click on the "Events" tab and then the "Workshops/Panels/Events" tab. Keyword search "Diversity Week," select the event you would like to attend and click on "RSVP."
New Beginnings: Being Successful in your Canadian Job Search (Workshop) Nov 1, 4:00-5:30, Brown 5001
Career Women: Being Young and Successful (Panel) Nov 2, 4:00-6:00, Brown 2200
Successful Salary Negotiations for Women(Workshop) Nov, 3, 2:30-4:30, Brown 5001
Being Successful in Non-Traditional Occupations (Panel) Nov 4, 4:00-6:00, Brown 2200
The Daily Productions Society (DPS) is proud to announce its third annual Student Journalism Week, to be held from November 1-5, 2010 at McGill University in Montreal. The week will feature panel presentations in French and English, workshops, as well as guest speakers. All events will be open to every McGill student.
Student Journalism Week opens students’ understanding of the possibilities in journalism, and allows students not already involved in campus or community media to gain tangible experience in the production process.
To register for the following events, please log-in tomyFuture. Click on the "Events" tab and then the "Workshops/Panels/Events" tab. Keyword search "Journalism Week," select the event you would like to attend and click on "RSVP."
New Media (Panel Discussion) Nov. 1, 6:00-7:00pm, Leacock 219
Behind closed doors: using access-to-information requests to investigate government abuses and misdemeanours (Workshop) Nov. 2, 2:30-4:00pm, Brown 5001
Breaking into Journalism (Panel Discussion) Nov. 2, 6:00– 7:00pm, Chancellor Day Hall 100
Citizen Media: Part I (Guest Speaker) Nov. 3, 6:00–7:00pm, Leacock 219
Radical Journalism On the Air (Guest Speaker) Nov. 4, 2:30-4:00pm, Brown 5001
Interning in Style (Panel) Nov 4, 6:00-7:00pm, Chancellor Day Hall room 202
Percer dans le journalisme 2.0 (Panel - in French) Nov 4, 6:00-7:00pm, Chancellor Day Hall 101
Caught in the Middle: Writing an Opinion in Today's Partisan Climate (Panel Discussion) Nov. 4, 6:00 – 7:00pm, Chancellor Day Hall 102
Making a Sale: Culture Journalism in a Contracting Market (Panel) Nov 4, 7:00-8:00pm, Chancellor Day Hall 202
Citizen Media: Part II (Workshop) Nov 5, 6:00-7:00pm, Leacock 219
Social Justice Journalism (Workshop) Nov 5, 7:00-8:00pm, Leacock 219
This is your week to meet professionals working in science and potentially get your career started. Attend one, some or all the following events and gain first hand information on what types of jobs are waiting for you.
Open to all students studying in the sciences: from physical to life, computers to environment, don’t miss this week of events!
To register for the following events, please log-in tomyFuture. Click on the "Events" tab and then the "Workshops/Panels/Events" tab. Keyword search "Working in Science," select the event you would like to attend and click on "RSVP."
The Big Guide is a must read for all students who are interested in volunteering or working abroad. All McGill students can set up a free online account where you have exclusive access to videos, quick guides, country guides, job boards and more! Be sure to check out the event “Get all you need from Going Global and The Big Guide” on November 19th.
To access The BIG Guide, log in to myFuture using your McGill e-mail and password. Under the "Documents" tab, choose "Career Resources" and do a keyword search for "The BIG Guide". Create your individual account, which will give you unlimited access to The BIG Guide and its most useful features, such as creating private notes, highlighting text and bookmarking pages.
Here is a sample of some of the information you can find online:
DEVEX – International Development Job Board and more
Career Advice - Devex maintains an important connection with hundreds of development organizations who use devex.com to seek qualified candidates for their respective job vacancies. We conduct interviews with development recruiters that focus on questions key to finding the right international development job for you.
Devex Personal Webpage - Membership increases your professional visibility, and the Devex personal webpage allows you to better market your skills and qualifications online. You can include your Devex.com URL in your resume, and this would allow prospective employers to browse your professional biography and download relevant documents such as your CV, cover letter, web links, and other relevant publications.
Networking Feature - We encourage you to expand your professional network through our online networking feature. You can invite and send messages to friends, colleagues and potential contacts who can assist you in advancing your career in international development. Not only could you gain information about the field, the people you contact may also lead you to various opportunities.
If you are interested in building experience in the field and gaining a new perspective, you should definitely think about volunteering abroad and considering Uniterra for a placement. Uniterra is a major Canadian voluntary cooperation and international development program jointly operated by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI).
I spent over one year living and working in Blantyre, Malawi. My local partner was the Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organizations (MANASO), an umbrella organization for all HIV/AIDS groups in the country. MANASO has over 900 members and is a networking and coordinating body for HIV/AIDS in Malawi. As a Resource Mobilization Advisor, I supported the efforts of the MANASO Secretariat by collaborating on fundraising initiatives and authoring grant proposals. The majority of my time was spent on developing capacity building activities for some of the member organizations, grassroots community based organizations who are dedicated to mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS within their local community. I worked closely with these community groups in terms of facilitating workshops on strategic planning and resource mobilization in addition to assisting them with the proposal writing process.
I valued the opportunity to take part in a long term professional volunteer program and work in solidarity with local initiatives. Spending over a year in one place really gives you the time to settle in and feel comfortable in your surroundings. My experience in Malawi has given me a sense of the reality in the field and has shaped my understanding of development.
Check out www.uniterra.ca for details on how apply for volunteer positions and a list of current postings. If you are interested in hearing your fellow students share stories from abroad and how it influenced them both professionally and personally then drop by the Great Worldwide Experiences Panel on November 16th.
by Arhan Bezbora, B.Sc. (Physics) McGill 10', Teach for India Cohort 2010
The early morning sun peeks out from under the clouds, bathing my classroom in a warm and cheerful light. “My classroom”, I smile inwardly. This has an amusing, almost surreal ring to it. I look up at the sea of kids, my kids, all bent over their mid-year exams. One of them, Harsh, squints up at me, the sunlight directly in his eyes. I place myself between him and the sun, casting a dark shadow over his tiny desk. He flashes me a wide toothy grin and then returns to his exam with furrowed brow. The exam is in English, one among the many barriers he faces, but his smile transcends them all.
As I look back at the last 4 months, I realize just how extraordinary life after McGill has been; a whirl of sights and colors, lesson plans and assessments, wide eyed children and even wider eyed adults…
Beatrice Sison-Paez (Arts U3, Political Science and Sociology)
Mulling over what skills and experiences will make you qualified for your dream internship? Stop worrying, chances are when you survey the years spent at McGill you’ll realize the classes and clubs you have poured your efforts into will result in an opportunity to place your bid for that internship you’ve been eyeing.
The best place to start is to visit the McGill Internship Database and also for those in Science, go to McGill’s Science Internship Program webpage. A summary of all internships at McGill can be found at www.mcgill.ca/internships. These resources give you an idea of the wealth of internships out there; they provide links to different organizations that offer internships.
Since it is not an exhaustive list, I suggest you use it as a tool to broaden your search – once you’re aware of the types of organizations out there that interest you, start browsing for other similar organizations (search for useful links).
For me, finding an internship that was in some way tied to the UN was my ultimate goal. Ask yourself what type of issues interests you. My interest in development issues and journalism led me to Inter Press Service, a news agency with a UN bureau that focuses on global issues and their effects on individuals and communities.
Don’t limit yourself! If you see something that piques your interest but feel unqualified, use the time you have now to strategize how to demonstrate your competence.
Stop thinking how awesome it would be to travel to Latin America or work alongside top-notch scientists - put your thoughts into action.
This monthly bulletin aims to inform you of major news and trends in the Québec, Canada and U.S. labour markets. Your feedback is welcome caps.library@mcgill.ca.
In this issue
Quebec outperformed the rest of Canada in the national job market
Slow U.S. economy recovery holds back the Canadian job market
Older workers land jobs easily as they are more experienced and less costly to hire
Dozens of company information sessions and tours are taking place throughout September. The events below are only a sampling of the many taking place this month. For a full listing of all events offered this month and to register, log-in to myFuture. Click on the "Events" tab and then the "Information Sessions" tab. Select the event you would like to attend and click on "RSVP."
Permanent Residency Info Sessions Nov. 1, 2:00-3:30pm, Brown 5001
Nov. 2, 10:00-11:30am, Brown 5001
Dalhousie University - Corporate Residency MBA Nov. 4, 12:00-1:30pm, Brown 3001
The events below are only a sampling of the many taking place this month. For a full listing of all events offered this month and to register, log-in to myFuture. Click on the "Events" tab and then the "Workshops/Panels/Events" tab. Select the event you would like to attend and click on "RSVP."
LGBT Students: Heterosexism, Career Choice and the Workplace Nov. 2, 3:30-5:00pm, Brown 3001
Workshop #3 = Perfect your Professional Image (business etiquette, school to work transition) Nov. 3, 2:00-3:30pm, Brown 3001
PACE - Session 3 Nov. 8, 10:00am-12:30, Brown 5001
Workshop #2 = Discover the Hidden Job Market (cold calling, networking, researching employers) Nov. 9, 10:00-11:30am, Brown 3001
Workshop #4 = Practice your Networking (prerequisite: workshop #2) Nov. 16, 2:00-3:30pm, Brown 3001
Workshop #1 = Build your Job Search Tools (CV, cover letter, interview) Nov. 17, 10:00-11:30am, Brown 3001
Nov. 30, 10:30am-12:00, Brown 3001
Medical School Applicants: It’s all about the interview Nov. 18, 1:00-2:30pm, Brown 3001
Workshop #5 = Practice your Interviewing (prerequisite: workshop #1) Nov. 23, 10:30am-12:00, Brown 3001
Where to find Worldwide Work: Passport to Adventure Nov. 24, 1:30-3:00pm, Brown 3001
The events below are only a sampling of the many taking place this month. For a full listing of all events offered this month and to register, log-in to myFuture. Click on the "Events" tab and then the "Career Fairs/Career Days" tab. Select the event you would like to attend and click on "RSVP."
SUS Graduate and Professional Schools Fair Nov 3, 10:00-3:00pm, Shatner Ballroom
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The early morning sun peeks out from under the clouds, bathing my classroom in a warm and cheerful light. “My classroom”, I smile inwardly. This has an amusing, almost surreal ring to it. I look up at the sea of kids, my kids, all bent over their mid-year exams. One of them, Harsh, squints up at me, the sunlight directly in his eyes. I place myself between him and the sun, casting a dark shadow over his tiny desk. He flashes me a wide toothy grin and then returns to his exam with furrowed brow. The exam is in English, one among the many barriers he faces, but his smile transcends them all.