Career Engagement

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PhDs Who Excel in Career Engagement: 

Envision Multiple Paths to Career Success

You embrace curiosity, explore multiple possibilities, and experiment with different options that align with your expertise and goals. You integrate your values, interests, and strengths into your decision-making to create a purpose-driven career journey. 

Build a Network

You cultivate meaningful professional relationships and seek guidance from individuals who can help advance your career. 

Invest in Self-Development

You deepen your self-awareness and embrace learning opportunities to enhance your professional growth and development. 

Emphasize Relevant Accomplishments

You communicate accomplishments that emphasize your relevant expertise and skills and showcase the impact of your work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assess Your career engagement Skills  

2024-2025 Schedule

PhD Career Prep Series Part 1 - Beyond Academia

February 5, 2025, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

What are the unique career challenges facing PhD students?  How can you leverage the skills you've gained during your doctoral experience to embark on a successful career journey after graduation? This introductory workshop will help you answer these questions by identifying and articulating your transferable and foundational skills and competencies. Using the Own Your Future self-assessment, we'll show you how to showcase your unique strengths in 5 areas:
•    Leadership
•    Teaching & Learning
•    Communication & Relationship Building
•    Thriving
•    Career Engagement

You will also receive helpful resources to continue to develop strong skills and competencies in these five areas.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a 3-part series. Please ensure you also register for Part 2 and Part 3!

Drop-in PhD Career Advising

February 6, 2025, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET

Drop by IGAB 1N05 to chat with Career Coach David Feeney about any of the following topics/questions/concerns:

•    Writing CVs and Resumes (feel free to bring yours in for review!)
•    Job search techniques & tips for interviews
•    Informational interviewing
•    Networking and making connections
•    Using LinkedIn
•    General questions about your career path

Feel free to register OR just drop in!

Working in Canada: A Workshop for International Graduate Students

February 7, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET

Join this interactive workshop for international graduate students hosted by the Western International and Career Services teams. This workshop will provide you with information you need to know to work in Canada as an international student. Job searching, workplace values, communication and expectations are sometimes different in Canada than other countries and cultures. Attend this workshop to learn more about working in Canada. We will be talking about the process of finding a job in Canada, including top tips for resumé preparation and job search in the local job market, and Canadian norms and expectations in the Canadian workplace. An International Student Advisor will review immigration regulations that are related to international students which may allow you to work while you study in Canada and after graduation.

PhD Career Prep Series Part 2 - Articulating Your Skills in an Interview

March 5, 2025, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

People who do well in interviews are good storytellers. We'll help you craft stories demonstrating your transferable skills while also understanding what is expected in an interview. Learn the various types of interviews and how to succeed using tried and true strategies.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Please ensure you also register for Part 1 and Part 3!

Drop-in PhD Career Advising

March 6, 2025, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET

Drop by IGAB 1N05 to chat with Career Coach David Feeney about any of the following topics/questions/concerns:

•    Writing CVs and Resumes (feel free to bring yours in for review!)
•    Job search techniques & tips for interviews
•    Informational interviewing
•    Networking and making connections
•    Using LinkedIn
•    General questions about your career path

Feel free to register OR just drop in!

PhD Career Prep Series Part 3 - Cultivating Career-Enhancing Connections

March 12, 2025, 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

In this workshop, we explore marketplace realities and dispel the myths of networking. You will learn how to build and cultivate professional relationships over time, create connections, and gain support throughout your career journey. We'll offer step-by-step strategies to help you focus your networking activities.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is Part 3 of a 3-part series. Please ensure you also register for Part 1 and Part 2!

Converting your CV to a Resume

March 26, 2025, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET

Building an effective resume can be challenging; keeping the resume to no more than 2 pages can be frustrating. Join Career Coach David Feeney and learn how to transfer the highlights of your comprehensive CV to an effective, attention-grabbing resume!

Introduction to Western's Technology Transfer Office

March 31, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ET

Western's Technology Transfer Office is the business development arm of London's extensive research network and the bridge between local invention and global industry. Born out of a partnership between Western University, Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute (collectively known as the Partners), the Technology Transfer Office draws upon a mix of industry connections, sector-specific market knowledge and business development expertise to help all researchers from all faculties and local inventors commercialize their discoveries through licensing and new company spin-offs.

Join us for a session led by Dr. Tristan Harrison, Business Development Manager at Western's Technology Transfer Office, as he discusses bridging your research ideas with industry to drive commercial success. After attending this lecture, you will gain a better understanding of the technology transfer process at Western University and the experiential learning opportunities available to you in entrepreneurship, commercialization, and knowledge transfer. 

  • Drop-in PhD Career Advising

    April 3, 2025, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET

    Drop by IGAB 1N05 to chat with Career Coach David Feeney about any of the following topics/questions/concerns:

    •    Writing CVs and Resumes (feel free to bring yours in for review!)
    •    Job search techniques & tips for interviews
    •    Informational interviewing
    •    Networking and making connections
    •    Using LinkedIn
    •    General questions about your career path

    Feel free to register OR just drop in!

    LinkedIn Lunch & Learn

    April 15, 2025, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

    Did you know that many companies actively use LinkedIn for recruiting? LinkedIn is a powerful job search tool - if used right. Join Career Coach David Feeney for this Lunch & Learn session and be sure to bring your laptop to work on your LinkedIn profile!

    Participants in this session will explore ways to optimize a LinkedIn profile, develop skills in using LinkedIn to build a professional network, and effectively use LinkedIn as an asset in the job search. 

    Networking Skills for Conferences

    May 1, 2025, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET

    Academic conferences are not only platforms for presenting research; they're gateways to learning, collaboration, and forging meaningful connections that can shape your professional journey. Whether you're an early-career researcher or a seasoned academic, this workshop will equip you with the tools and strategies to harness the power of conference networking. 

    more Career Engagement resources for PhDs

    Life Design (Career Education)

    Life Design harnesses design thinking methods to support career and life planning.

    Interviewing Support (Career Education)

    Interviewing is an art and the key to success is preparation. Practice your skills in mock interviews, workshops, and more.

    Career Education Workshops and Events

    Check out upcoming workshops on topics including interview skills, using LinkedIn, resume writing, AI in career planning, and special topics for International students.

    Employer Information Sessions

    Every year, employers and educational recruiters visit campus to meet and recruit students.

    Graduate Student Internship Program

    The Graduate Student Internship Program is designed to bridge the gap between academia and the workplace.

    International Student Services - Working and Volunteering

    Learn about work permits, immigration, and more!