Learn what self-disclosure means in the workplace.

How the heck do you gain experience related to your degree if you don’t have a job?  For a lot of us, we might be up to our eyeballs in schoolwork, or we’re taking care of family members, or maybe we’re already working just to pay for life—we might not be in the position to take part in co-op or pursue a job in our area of study. In this episode, Katy and Emma chat with some of UVic’s career educators and community-engaged learning coordinators to talk about:What to do if you’re approaching graduation and need work experienceHow to get experience through your coursesSpecific suggestions for different program areas like science and fine artsResources from this episodeThe UVic Co-op ProgramAccessing career support Connect with usSign up for our weekly e-newsletterFollow UVic Co-op and Career on social mediaPhoto by Charles Etoroma on Unsplash (00:00) - Intro music (00:32) - Welcome and introductions (03:48) - How do you start a career when you don't have work experience? (05:15) - How can you identify the skills that you have from your academics? (07:27) - How doing coursework that connects with the community help you gain experience? (09:50) - How can you gain experience related to your studies when you're in school, for free? (12:36) - Our guests share their tips for gaining hands-on experience (15:50) - How to support yourself financially while gaining experience related to your studies (17:38) - How to find the perfect job for you (19:16) - What skills and experience are most important for students seeking jobs? (22:28) - How can you find out what it's like to work for a particular employer? (27:51) - How can fine arts students prepare for work and post-graduate studies? (30:47) - Why your time at school is about the now and why it's important to be yourself (29:58) - How can science students prepare for work and post-graduate studies? (36:32) - Episode credits

What you study is just a starting point: the possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can do with your UVic degree.  Emma and Katy chat with Matt Heywood, a UVic mechanical engineering graduate who is the founder of Heywood Academies, a local tutoring company that supports students in math, science and engineering.  Join us as we talk with Matt about: Trying out a wide range of career options in his quest for the right fit, including experiences at a start-up, with BC Transit, in a machine shop and now as his own bossGiving yourself space and time to figure out what you what to do for a careerBecoming your own bossThe value of trying jobs through the co-op program…and much more!  Resources from this episodeHeywood AcademiesThe UVic Co-op ProgramAccessing career support  Connect with usSign up for our weekly e-newsletterFollow UVic Co-op and Career on social media (00:00) - Theme music (00:33) - Intros and welcome (02:38) - Introducing Matt Heywood, founder of Heywood Academies and UVic grad (03:09) - What's it like to change direction on your career path? How did you end up at UVic? (04:16) - How does the bridge engineering from Camosun to UVic work? What are the pros? (05:39) - What if you don't know what you want to do as a career? (06:39) - What drew you to engineering at UVic? (07:34) - How did co-op help you figure out what you wanted to do? (14:19) - Where did you work when you graduated from engineering? (16:05) - What made you pivot from working as an engineer to launching a tutoring company for engineering students? (18:26) - What is Heywood Academies? Who does it help? (23:13) - What have you learned about being an entrepreneur? (24:26) - What advice do you have for engineering co-op students? (29:01) - Rapid fire questions about your time at UVic

How can you use AI as you search for work? What should you look out for and how can you leverage these tools? Katy and Emma chat with career educator Karae White about how to best use generative AI and machine learning to search for work, write résumés and cover letters, prepare for interviews and more.  Resources from this episodeAccessing career supportThe UVic Co-op ProgramUsing AI in your work searchVMock: a free AI tool for UVic students looking for workConnect with usSign up for our weekly e-newsletterFollow UVic Co-op and Career on social mediaPhoto by Cash Macanaya on Unsplash (00:00) - Intro music (00:31) - Welcome and introductions (03:20) - What does a UVic career educator do? (05:30) - How can AI help you understand your skills and potential jobs? (08:20) - Understanding Chatgpt and the risk of "hallucinations" (12:32) - Is AI going to take your job? (13:35) - How to create accurate and effective content with AI (17:30) - How are employers using AI in the hiring process? What should your applications look like? (21:42) - Using VMock, a free tool for UVic students to help you write AI-proof applications (22:45) - How can job seekers be successful today with AI being so prevalent? (25:00) - How to use AI as a tool as you think about possible careers (26:14) - How to use AI when putting together a résumé and cover letter (27:05) - The best way to use AI in your job interview (28:08) - How AI is contributing to the fourth industrial revolution and how this impacts job seekers and the labour market (31:18) - Resources to help use AI in your work search

On the first episode of season 2, hosts Katy and Emma speak with Jayesh Vekariya, a UVic MBA graduate who is the CEO and one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that produces organic, sustainable menstrual products. Jayesh is also one of UVic’s 2024 Emerging Alumni. Join us as we talk with Jayesh about: how growing up in Gujurat, India inspired him to launch a business that tackles sustainability and poverty reductionwhat it was like pivoting from a career in pharmacy to pursue his third graduate program at UVictackling the issue of period povertyfinding a business partner in Linda Biggs, who previously served as chief operating officer at Victoria-based reusable food wrap company Abeego…and much more!  Resources from this episode·       Joni·       Emerging Alumni Award·       The UVic Co-op Program·       Accessing career support  Contact usSign up for our weekly e-newsletterFollow UVic Co-op and Career on social media (00:00) - Intro (00:32) - Welcome to today's episode (01:39) - Introducing Jayesh Vekariya (02:12) - What does Joni produce? (03:38) - Addressing sustainability and accessibility in menstrual care (06:24) - How do you develop an idea you had as a student into a viable business for community? (09:34) - How did you choose menstrual products as a business focus? (10:38) - How did you tackle branding? (12:13) - Why was it important to find a business partner? (00:15) - How did your co-op experience help you develop your business? (18:34) - How do co-op students help you as an employer? (20:26) - Why did you choose UVic? (21:51) - What advice do you have for students interested in entrepreneurship? (25:00) - Rapid fire questions about Jayesh's time at UVic (26:18) - If you could do it all again, what would you do more of?

How can you avoid burnout by practicing self-care at work?  Katy and Emma chat with career educator Darcie Gabruck about recognizing signs of burnout, setting boundaries in the workplace, setting up strategies for sustainable self-care, and addressing and healing from burnout when it happens.  Resources from this episode·      UVic Student Wellness·      UVic Career Services·      UVic Multifaith Centre Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

What can you do with a degree in… history?  Katy and Emma chat with guest Natasha Thambirajah about how a history and political science degree led to a career in digital health public policy.  Natasha Thambirajah is a third-generation public servant and has worked for the Province of BC since 2006. Over the past 15 years, she has led nationally recognized examples of transformative, citizen-centred public policy, including the prize-winning BC Services Card and the modernization of gender identity expression on government-issued identification. Natasha completed a double major Bachelor of Arts in history and political science at UVic, and holds a Master of Arts from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. This podcast was created while Natasha was still working for the Province of BC. She recently left government to establish her own inclusive, equitable and BIPOC friendly strategic management consultancy, Haven Consulting. Join us as we talk about: ·      Strategies for making change in public health policy·      Working in government as a BIPOC woman·      Building equity through digital health policy·      Creating a strong team as a manager and leader·      Tips for students who are interested in a career in the public service And much more!  Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social mediaNatasha's consulting firm: Haven Consulting

How can you practice self-advocacy at work?  Katy and Emma talk with career educator and international student advisor Amy Chen about self-identification during the job search and application process, your rights and responsibilities in the workplace, and how you can advocate for yourself on the job.  Resources from this episode:  ·      Disability Alliance BC: Disclosing Your Disability Guide·      BC Human Rights Tribunal·      BC Human Rights Clinic (free legal services)·      Lime Connect·      CanAssist at UVic·      Canada’s Best Diversity Employers·      Accessible Employers – A President’s Group Initiative·      Indigenous Work-Integrated Learning Resource Hub·      Resources from our website Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

What can you do with a degree in… commerce and entrepreneurship? Katy and Emma connect with guest Kat Craats about her career as a marketing professional in the adventure tourism industry, plus her freelance photography business!  Kat Craats is a photographer, outdoor enthusiast and adrenaline-junkie living in Squamish, BC. UVic’s BCom program inspired her love of marketing, setting her on the path to becoming the Marketing Manager at WildPlay Element Parks. Tune in to hear our conversation:·      How Kat found her first co-op job as a business student·      How networking can help you find a job·      Building a thriving freelance business while working full-time·      Sustainability in marketing and advertising ·      How to pitch creative projects to your manager at work and much more!  Resources from this episode·      Kat’s website·      Find Kat on Instagram·      Find Kat on Facebook·      Networking tips from UVic Career Services Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

How can you feel confident during job interviews?  Katy and Emma talk with career educator Selina Jorgensen about how to feel confident and succeed during job interviews! Learn how to answer the most difficult interview questions, prepare effectively for job interviews, and manage your nerves.  Resources from this episode: ·      Job interview tips on our website·      Use VMock’s AI tool to practice before job interviews·      Attend a career workshop at UVic Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

What can you do with a degree in… global business? Katy and Emma chat with guest Dayah Johal about her journey to a career in public service.  Dayah Johal is an alum of the Master in Global Business program at UVic, who now works for the provincial government. She found her way to this career path after completing a co-op term with the BC Public Service. Join us as we talk about: ·      Choosing to pursue graduate studies and the impact of remote learning·      Building cultural intelligence and global communities·      Growing your skills by experimenting with different types of jobs·      How business skills translate to a career in government·      Getting started in a career in the public service Resources from this episode: ·      uvic.ca/coop·      uvic.ca/career-services Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media