Career Compass: Integrated Studies

As an Integrated Studies student in the Faculty of Arts, you will have the ability to complete an undergraduate degree while working in your current position. The Bachelor of Arts Integrated Studies (BAIS) has been developed for working adults who have completed some post-secondary education and want/need to complete a degree in order to advance in their chosen career.

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN FROM INTEGRATED STUDIES

• The ability to communicate effectively and express your ideas both verbally and in writing.
• The ability to think critically and develop innovative solutions to many problems.
• The capacity to support people while showing a positive attitude.
• The capability to use mathematical skills to record data and solve problems

** Please view the Career Compass related to your concentration to learn about more specific skills you may gain

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Many students entering this program have several transfer credits therefore there is no specific sequence to complete the degree requirements. It is advised to complete prerequisites as early as possible. It is recommended that you meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss your academic plan.

Course requirements:

Foundational Course requirements (required for degree completion):

• ARTS 1160, PHIL 1290, and additional courses listed in the Academic calendar.

Concentration:

• For the purpose of the BAIS degree, you must select a Concentration/Minor offered by the Faculty of Arts, or Management Minor, Leadership for Business and Organization Minor, Mathematics Minor or Art History Minor.

Options:

• Students must complete 48 credit hours of Options, chosen from subjects outside of the Concentration/Minor subject.

Note: There are several additional degree requirements that need to be met in order to graduate with a BAIS degree. Refer to the academic calendar for those details.

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with a Faculty of Arts advisor to help you plan your program.
2. Use your elective opportunities to explore options for your concentration area.

CAREER TIPS

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to discuss your career planning needs.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Log in to your UM Connect account to view job postings and register for workshops and events including employer information and networking sessions
4. Assess skills and attributes from current and past employment; connect these with future employment goal(s).
5. Explore your Experience Record, an official record of university-approved activities on UM Connect.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Become a board member for a not-for-profit organization
2. Join a professional association related to your occupational goal
3. Attend professional development programs or workshops within your workplace or the broader community
4. Capture your community involvement and how it can contribute to your long-term goals
5. Explore your community to find ways to give back to your community and enhance your skills

** Please view the Career Compass related to your concentration to learn about more specific volunteer and work experience opportunities

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Consider integrating your cultural background or learn another language to gain intercultural skills.

Explore communities and cultures you want to work with: Visit Migizii Agamik, the International Centre for Students or learn about local agencies via 211 Manitoba.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Look at the outlined degree requirements in the “to start” section of this compass. Continue to work on your course requirements. Note the required credit hours in each area below:

Course requirements:

21 credit hours of Foundational courses 18 credit hours in your Area of Concentration 51 credit hours of Optional courses

To do this year:

1. Stay in touch with Academic Advisors to ensure program requirements are being met.
2. Consider the option of using your electives to fulfill a second Concentration area to enhance your employability prospects upon graduation.
3. Develop relationship with a Career Consultant to progress through a job search efficiently. Career Consultants are available online and can provide assistance from a distance.

CAREER TIPS

Investigate your career options:

1. Look at sample job postings to ensure you have the qualifications upon graduation.
2. Develop employability and essential skills sought by employers.
3. Explore supports available to entrepreneurs for business planning including the Stu Clarke Centre for Entrepreneurship, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, and the Manitoba Government.

Expand your network:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Utilize UM Café: Ten Thousand Coffees to meet with students, alumni and industry partners to exchange knowledge and advice. Create or update your LinkedIn profile to network with professionals. Register for the LinkedIn workshop on UM Connect.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

• View volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Manitoba or Volunteer Canada.
• Log on to UM Connect to view volunteer and job postings
• Meet with a Career Consultant to learn about relevant paid and unpaid positions.
• Register for an employment workshop on UM Connect or utilize the employment workbooks.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Attend a conference or networking event with the professional association related to your occupational goal 

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Check out a spring or summer Community Engaged Learning experience. Attend or volunteer opportunities through organizations such as Folklorama. Consider enhancing language and culture knowledge through the Language Partner Volunteer Program.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Course requirements: Ensure all degree requirements will be satisfied before last year of registration. Refer to the Academic Calendar for a complete list of program requirements.

To do this year:

1. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

CAREER TIPS

Market your skills: Develop your resumé and cover letter and refine your interview skills.

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

VOLUNTEER & WORK EXPERIENCE

Search for job opportunities online: Utilize the job posting section for your occupational goal on the Exploring Occupations webpage. Use UM Connect to view current job postings

Use your networks and connections: inquire about unadvertised job openings (the “hidden job market”).

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

Participate in the multicultural opportunities on campus: Connect with the International Centre to learn about international opportunities for UM students, participate in the Intercultural Development and Leadership Program, volunteer for the International Student Mentorship Program or take part in the Graduation Pow Wow.

Prepare to work in a multicultural environment: Visit Canada’s National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation on campus or explore Manitoba Start, which offers events and free workshops for newcomers to assist their job search. Get access to LinkedIn Learning through the Winnipeg Public Library and take courses to develop your cross-cultural intelligence.

SAMPLE JOBS WITH AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND RELATED EXPERIENCE

• Administrative Officer
• Canadian Border Services Agent
• Conference and Event Planner
• Executive Assistant  
• Foreign Service Officer
• Insurance Claims Adjustor
• Police Officer
• Policy Analyst
• Program coordinator
• Recruitment coordinator
• Research and Policy Analyst
• Sales and Marketing Manager
• Senior Administration Manager
• Youth Worker
• Volunteer Manager

**Please see the compass related to your concentration subject for more specific sample jobs. 

**Due to the diversity of the degree there are so many options to consider visit Career Services to explore.

OPTIONS REQUIRING OTHER EDUCATION

You may already have a diverse set of skills and may decide to use this degree to advance in your career. Visit Career Services to speak about other options that may suit you!

What do employers want?

Industries like government, business, and education would value a Bachelor of Arts Integrated Studies degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Written and oral communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Cultural competency
• Continuous learning
• Numeracy and data use
• Digital technology

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been taken directly from Employability Skills 2000+ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.

Recommended Annual Checklist

• Know the degree requirements and university regulations that apply to your program
• Meet with an academic advisor to ensure your academic plan meets degree requirements
• Run a degree audit in UM Achieve
• Check in with a career consultant to review progress on your career plan
• Engage in an experiential learning opportunity
• Update your resumé and LinkedIn profile with applicable experiences
• Get involved outside of the classroom and get recognized on your Co-Curricular Record

Industries like government, business, and education would value a German and Slavic Studies degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Written and oral communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Cultural competency
• Continuous learning
• Numeracy and data use
• Digital technology

Attain skills through your classroom education and take advantage of experiential education opportunities.

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.