Career Development and Experiential Learning Certificate - BA+MBA Co-op Pathway

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Students enrolled in the BA+MBA Co-op pathway program will complete the Career Development Experiential Learning Certificate in the fall term of their second year. Students in other programs can complete the Career Development Certificate, Engagement and Employability Certificate and the Non-Profit Sector Experiential Certificate.

The certificate will be completed in a cohort model consisting of four in-person workshops and an experiential learning opportunity.

Components

  1. Career Development workshop - Career Planning, Competency Identification and Articulation
  2. Employment Preparation workshop - Resumé, Cover Letter and LinkedIn
  3. Workplace Preparation workshop - Thrive in the Workplace
  4. Building Connections workshop - Network with Confidence and Informational Interviewing
  5. Experiential Learning Opportunity - self-generated 20-hour experience
  6. Reflection - upon completion of the five components students will be required to answer four capstone reflection questions before the certificate is granted.

Career Development Workshop

Career Planning: Whether you already have key pieces in place or are still gathering them, get ready to unlock new insights into the factors shaping your career options. Discover valuable sources of information, tools, and strategies as you assemble your personalized career research action plan. See how the powerful combination of self-reflection and strategic research can help you complete the picture and reveal rewarding opportunities.

Competency Identification and Articulation: Do you know what competencies you have and what employers are seeking? Align your competencies with your career development goals in this hands-on session. You will be able to identify and assess your personal competencies, identify areas for development and learn how to showcase the value of your experiences to an employer.

Employment Preparation

Resumé: In today's competitive job market, your resumé needs to do more than just list your experiences; it needs to stand out instantly. During this session you'll discover how to tailor your resumé for every opportunity, whether it’s a part-time role, a summer job, or your dream career after graduation. From designing an eye-catching layout to showcasing your most relevant skills, we’ll equip you with the tools to create a resumé that stands out and gets noticed.

Cover Letter: A well-crafted cover letter can be your key to unlocking opportunities in a competitive job market. It’s not just an add-on; it’s your moment to shine and demonstrate why you’re the ideal candidate. In this session, we’ll guide you through the process of creating cover letters that showcase your unique qualifications and make a powerful connection between your experience and the employer’s needs. From choosing the right layout to optimizing the content, you’ll gain the confidence to include a cover letter that enhances every job application—unlocking the potential for success.

LinkedIn: Your LinkedIn profile can be a powerful career-boosting tool that sets you apart and broadens your network. During this session you will discover tips on optimizing your privacy settings, making impactful connections, and leveraging LinkedIn's features to supercharge your job search. Make the most of LinkedIn by expanding and nurturing your professional network, turning connections into valuable relationships to propel your career forward.

Workplace Preparation

Thrive in the Workplace: Explore strategies to help you thrive by navigating policies, procedures, and unwritten rules, managing expectations, and building meaningful professional connections. Our checklists will help you prepare; by asking the right questions and fully understanding your responsibilities, you'll hit the ground running and start adding value to your new team immediately.

Building Connections

Network with Confidence and Informational Interviewing: Networking is your gateway to new opportunities, and it can be both exciting and rewarding. In this session, you'll learn how to confidently navigate networking events and recruiting sessions, transforming each encounter into a valuable connection. We’ll review the essentials of a high-quality elevator pitch to ensure you make a powerful first impression. Plus, you'll learn how to leverage informational interviews to expand your network effectively. With these game-changing tips, you'll be ready to seize any opportunity and make every connection count.

Experiential Learning Opportunity

Your 20-hour self-generated experiential learning opportunity will be approved by the Career Development Centre and should include:

  • Development of transferable skills as outlined in the Laurier Competency Framework
  • Experience in a community or workplace setting that aligns with your career exploration interests
  • Connection of community or workplace learning to course or field of study
  • Opportunity to build professional networks within your field of interest
  • Ability to understand the standards, ethics, requirements, etc. of a particular discipline, role and/or profession