Career Compass: Canadian Studies

Year 1 - 30 credit hours 

Course requirements:
6 credit hours at the 1000 or 2000 level from the list of approved courses in Canadian Studies.

To do this year:

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Faculty of Arts to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours 

Course requirements:

Honours: Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements. 

General: Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements.

To do this year:

1. Should you follow a 3- or 4-year plan? Meet with an academic advisor and career consultant to map out your options.
2. When choosing a minor, take courses that will open opportunities.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours 

Course requirements:

Honours: Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements. 

General: Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements.

To do this year:

1. Meet with a faculty of arts advisor for Honours program approval.
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora (3-year option).

Year 4 - 120 credit hours 

Course requirements:

Honours: Refer to the Academic Calendar for course requirements. 

Year 1 - 30 credit hours 

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests.
3. Utilize UM Connect to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Access the UM Experiential Learning Catalogue to explore involvement opportunities on campus. Throughout your studies, access your Experience Record to track and reflect on your competencies.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours 

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a Student Affiliate with the Association for Canadian Studies and The Canadian Studies Network.
4. Develop professional connections with professors and apply for an Undergraduate Research Award.

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

Year 3 - 90 credit hours 

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.
4. Create a LinkedIn profile to network with professionals.

Consider continuing your studies: check out the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Extended Education or professional programs at the U of M.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours 

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Faculty of Arts advisor for Honours program approval.
2. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora.

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.

If you are continuing on to graduate school: Finalize your application materials and take required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadline are advertised.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours 

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include:

1. Student groups including the Arts Student Body Council and UMSU.
2. Volunteer for UM Orientation events, Downtown Biz or join the Student Leadership Development Program.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers and the Community Action Poverty Simulation.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours 

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for an Undergraduate Research Award or inquire about research assistant positions.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Festival du Voyageur, Lower Fort Garry, Riel House, the Manitoba Museum and local historical societies.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Become a Faculty of Arts Student Ambassador.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours 

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Showcase.

Check out volunteer opportunities with: Folklorama, MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out the Canadian Heritage Information Network, Job Bank, Find My Job, Indeed or other search engines.

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

Year 4 - 120 credit hours 

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you’re applying for graduate school.

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 experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. 

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - the UM Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Students' Organization, and many more!  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Participate in the Intercultural Leaders program to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in 8 sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Engage locally: Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs; Indigenous students may wish to explore programs such as Land and Water: Land-Based Education. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Industries such as business, communications, education, government, health and law would value a Canadian studies major in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Critical thinking
• Oral and written communication
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Numeracy and data use
• Digital technology
• Information management
• Continuous learning

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.