My Options

Informational Interviews

Are you curious about a certain field: what does the day-to-day look like? What experiences help applicants stand out when they’re applying for positions? One of the best ways to learn more about a job or profession is by connecting with those directly doing the work. An informational interview is an informal, but intentional conversation that helps you learn and get advice from an industry expert.

Check-out this webinar on informational interviews, including how to identify who you want to speak with. The key words: preparation, curiosity, and follow-up.

These conversations are a great way to clarify goals, improve communication skills, and initiate a professional relationship in a particular field.

Other great resources are these templates that can help you initiate a reach out and these tips for how to prepare and the typical questions to ask.

Professional Mentoring Program

Mentoring is a great way to increase your communication and networking skills, help you prepare for your future career and transition into the professional work force, and is an opportunity for you to develop your skills while learning from someone else’s experiences.  

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Career Treks

Career Treks are one-day experiential opportunities that give Brescia students exposure to a workplace and learn from its professionals about their career stories (think: what they studied, how they gained experience), about their organizations (including the skills and experiences that are valued) and about day-to-day operations.

Sometimes it’s a tour, sometimes it’s a panel discussion or Q&A, other times it’s a departmental roam. Career Treks are a great way to gain insight in a workplace and the fields working within it.

During the Trek day, we’ll meet for an pre-Trek Orientation and afterwards we’ll debrief over dinner. It’s a day of exploration, learning, and discussion that helps you gain first-hand knowledge and generate options.

Career Fairs

Brescia’s annual fair, Beyond Brescia, showcases career opportunities and further education options to help you plan for your life beyond Brescia.

It is a great way to make connections and learn about the jobs and hiring practices available in various industries, as well as show you different types of further education programs that are specific to your career goals.

Beyond Brescia gives you practice presenting your professional side in a safe, lower-risk setting. Even if an employer is not actively hiring, a meaningful conversation can help build a strong foundation for pursuing future opportunities.

Or, go off-campus to the London and Area Works Job Fair, organized by the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC). Hiring companies vary, from finance to tech, to manufacturing and not-for-profits. Review the list of employers for the upcoming fair and view the “Maximizing your Job Fair Experience” webinar.

• Do your research before the Fair: take a look at participating companies and organizations and assess which participants you’re most interested. 
• Practice your Elevator Pitch and bring copies of your resume (reviewed by the Career Peers!) and a folder to collect literature and hand-outs from organizations.
• Ask intentional questions: it’s just as important to be interested in others as it is to be interesting to them! 
• Request a business card—it will be needed for follow-up.
• Dress business casual: typically involves tailored pants, a nice top (think: button-up) and close-toed shoes. It’s a bit less dressy than the professional business suit, but still put together.

After the Fair, keep building your network: take a moment to reach out to individuals you spoke to with a brief thank you note. You can see a sample note here, but be sure to customize yours to the employer!

Networking Events

Alongside on-campus employer information sessions and career fairs, there are lots of opportunities to expand your network in the community. Organized by sector and interest, there are lots to choose from. An extensive list of local networking opportunities is available on EventBrite.

Want to connect with like-minded people? There are sector-specific networking events like SocialPreneurs, an informal, monthly drop for people interested in social enterprise, entrepreneurship, and community development.

Career Panels

Career panels are a great way to learn more from others career stories and can include anything from their journey from degree to career, challenges they faced and tips for new grads.

If a panelist’s story resonates with you, take a moment after the event to say hello and introduce yourself. Try expanding your network!

Panels happen on Brescia’s and Western’s campuses. At Brescia, ‘My Career Story’ is a panel series with alumnae or professionals based on relevant career themes like, Twists and Turns or The First Two Years after Graduation. By hearing from alumnae from all disciplines, My Career Story panels help demonstrate that your Brescia degree provides you with many options and opportunities. 

If you’re interested in seeing what Western has to offer, you can see the full list of events here.

MOS Internship Program

The Management and Organizational Studies (MOS) Internship Program offers students an opportunity to gain practical 8 to 16 months of industry working experience between their third and fourth-year of the MOS program.

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Employer Information Sessions

These sessions are an ideal way to learn from employers about hiring practices, organizational culture, sought-after skills, career paths in their organizations and employment opportunities.

There are also a number of employer information sessions at Western. The employers who come range in industry and focus: take a look at the list and register on Western Connect if there’s one that interest you.

A few tips:

• Be sure to arrive on time, pre-register if required, and go for business casual dress
• After the session, you can take a moment to briefly introduce yourself to the representative: shake hands, let them know what you’re studying and your goals. This is the ideal time to request a business card
• Stay in touch! Reach out after the session with a brief note referencing your meeting at the Information Session and let the person know what you learned/what you found valuable. It demonstrates active listening and professionalism.

Further Education

Deciding to pursue additional education takes a lot of consideration. Graduate or professional school, post-grad programs, and professional development courses or credentials can add value to your undergraduate degree and are also expensive and time-intensive. 

You want make an informed decision for the right reasons. It's important to think about the steps you need to take to prepare for further education and how it will help you get to your career of choice.

This helpful guide is a good first place start if you're thinking about graduate school (geared to academic grad programs). You'll want to thoroughly research programs, take time to compile your applications, references, and personal statements, and prepare for interviews.

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