Graduate Student Career Conference

Professional journeys inside and outside of academia

Date: April 29, 30 & May 1, 2024
Location: In-person - Career Centre, 192 King St. N., Waterloo
Cost: Free

Presented by the Career Development Centre and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Are you ready to take the next step toward shaping your career? Whether considering a career in academia or exploring alternative paths, the Graduate Student Career Conference is designed to provide you with the insights, resources and connections you need to succeed.

Conference Schedule

APRIL 29 - Day 1: Discover Opportunities

8:45 - 9 a.m. | Arrival & Check-in

9 - 10:15 a.m. | Conference Kick-off

• Participants will be welcomed with an engaging introduction. Following the welcome address, an interactive icebreaker activity will be facilitated to foster connections and networking among attendees.

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. | Workshop: Career Planning, Academic & Professional Options

• Whether you have clear ideas about your career path or are still wondering what is next for you, this workshop will allow participants to learn how to gather relevant information, insights, and resources to explore opportunities and how to develop a plan to get there. This session will introduce practical strategies and resources to assist you in conducting the necessary self-reflection and research to identify ideal work environments, optimal job satisfiers and realistic goals for pursuing an academic or post-academic career.
  Facilitated by the Career Centre.

12 noon - 1:15 p.m. | Break

• Bring your own lunch and relax in our lounge with visitors from the Wellness Centre. Coffee and tea service is sponsored by the Career Centre.

1:30 - 2:45 p.m. | Workshop: Network with Confidence 

• Networking is one of the best things you can do for your career. Not sure where to start? Participants will learn how to network online, build your elevator pitch, develop a professional reputation, and gain strategies for conducting informational interviews.
  Facilitated by the Career Centre.

3 - 4:15 p.m. | Panel: Professional Careers of Graduate Students

• Beyond faculty roles, discover some of the rewarding and emerging opportunities that exist beyond academic institutions. Panelists will share their job search journeys, industry insights and tips for a successful transition to the working world.

APRIL 30 - Day 2: Preparing for Academic Careers

8:45 - 9 a.m. | Arrival & Check-in

9 - 10:15 a.m. | Worskhop: CV Writing & Academic Cover Letters  

• Interested in a career in academia or research? Participants will learn the unique purpose, format, and guidelines for creating an effective Curriculum Vitae (CV), clarify the main distinctions between a resumé and a CV, and explore what needs to be included in an effective academic cover letter.”
  Facilitated by the Career Centre.

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. | Workshop: Teaching Philosophy Statement 

• How can you make your teaching dossier stand out? Whether you are applying for internal awards, external honours or as part of a hiring package or even as a means of personal reflection, your teaching dossier plays a pivotal role in showcasing your teaching practice.
  This workshop will help you reflect on how and why you teach the way you do and support you in finding creative ways to make your teaching approaches and beliefs jump off the page using narrative and evidence-based materials. We’ll walk through key dossier components and discuss the role of teaching philosophies in forming the framework of your overall teaching dossier.
  Facilitator: Erin Hodson, educational developer, Teaching Excellence & Innovation

12 noon - 1:15 p.m. | Break

• Bring your own lunch and relax in our lounge. Coffee and tea service is sponsored by the Career Centre.

1:30 - 2:45 p.m. | Panel: Academic Careers

• Learn from panelists who have recently made the leap from student to academic professor to understand the realities of academic careers and the opportunities available in the sector.

3 - 4:15 p.m. | Panel: Academic Job Search & Interviews

• Gain a competitive edge in your job search with guidance and insights from current academics. Participating panelists will review the application process and its purpose and discuss the preparation required to present yourself successfully to a hiring committee.

MAY 1 - Day 3: Preparing for Alternative Academic Careers

8:45 – 9 a.m. | Arrival & Check-in

9 - 10:15 a.m. | Workshop: Resumé & Cover Letter Writing 

• Have you updated your employment documents lately? What are employers looking for in resumés and cover letters? Do you have to target your resumé? Do you even need a cover letter? Participants in this workshop will learn tools and strategies to present your relevant qualifications effectively and connect your skills, experiences and abilities to a target job.
  Facilitated by the Career Centre.

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. | Workshop: Turning Research into a Policy Brief

• Academics are increasingly using their research to write public policy, engage government audiences, and disseminate their research to the public. This workshop will introduce graduate students to the differences between academic and professional writing by examining what makes an effective policy brief. Guided by Dr. Elliot Worsfold, a Writing Consultant from Laurier’s Writing Services, students will learn how to translate their research into a compelling Executive Summary that they can share with professionals in the public and private sectors.
  Facilitated by Writing Services.

12 noon - 1:15 p.m. | Break

• Bring your own lunch and relax in our lounge. Coffee and tea service is sponsored by the Career Centre.

1:30 - 2:45 p.m. | Workshop: Transferable Skills 

• Do you know what skills employers are seeking? How do you present your skills and experiences to match a job posting?
  Participants will explore how to describe the skills and abilities you’ve honed through your academic journey. Join us to learn how to understand and articulate your skills on a resumé and in an interview.
  Facilitated by the Career Centre.

3 - 4:15 p.m. Panel: Jobs on Campus that aren’t faculty roles

• Discover opportunities to work on campus outside of the classroom. You'll hear from panelists with diverse career paths and gain insight into new career possibilities.

The Finer Points 

Additional programming may be added during the lunch breaks. Registrants will be notified if additional registration is required. 

Conference workshops are a key component of Laurier's ASPIRE Professionalization Program and the Career Development Certificate.

We are committed to providing inclusive programs and services to all students and alumni. Please contact us at careercentre@wlu.ca if you require accommodation for a disability.