Career advice from the University of Western Ontario

The first step to career search is focusing on a type of industry, company and location where you are interested in working.  However, many students don’t know which path to follow.  The University of Western Ontario (Western) likes to keep options open for students.  A general first year gives students the flexibility to change their major or even faculty in some cases.  In many programs students have the option to add a minor/major or do a combined degree to customize their degree towards a specific career objective.  For example, a graduate who focused on Economics and Visual Arts then pursued a career at a business that auctions fine art. 

Summer jobs are also a chance to learn more about different careers.  Debbie Foss, a graduate from Western’s Kinesiology department worked in a physiotherapy clinic and in the field of teaching as a dance teacher and a day camp counsellor before deciding to pursue a teaching career.    

Studying what you love is also important because if you are interested in the subject area in which you are studying, your grades will likely be higher which helps to enter graduate school or a career.  For example a student with a passion for and with high marks in Music at Western was admitted to Medical school.  

Accessing your on campus career services can be a great way to help guide your path.  At The University of Western Ontario, a variety of career management help is found in person at The Student Success Centre: Career, Leadership & Experience, as well as online at success.uwo.ca.

Western’s Employment rate 6 months after graduation of 94.3% shows career readiness is developed in skills learned at Western.  Western’s Richard Ivey School of business also provides very detailed career statistics which can be found at www.ivey.ca/hba.  However, a university cannot guarantee a job and students must work hard towards their goals. 

You can start building skills now through extracurricular activities.  With over 200 clubs and the largest student council budget per capita in North America, Western is an excellent place to develop leadership through involvement while enjoying the best student experience.   Learn more at www.uwo.ca.