All posts by ces

Community

Get social media working for you

When it comes to job search and building your career, social media matters. Many hiring managers are searching potential candidates on social media prior to interviews.  What you do, or don’t do, on each social media platform really does affect your chances (whether positively or negatively) at landing your dream job. This reality is unavoidable, but rather than sit back and miss an opportunity, take control of your online presence and make social media work for you.

5-linked-in-tips infographic

Looking for help getting started with your social media presence?
Check here for the upcoming LinkedIn Workshop schedule.
You can also schedule an appointment to speak to an Advisor about how to get LinkedIn working for you. Call 403.329.2000.

Commitment

Design your own apprenticeship

In Jeff Goins’ new book,  The Art of Work:  A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant To Do, he talks about creating intentional opportunities to learn and grow from others. Check out his website, with a great activity on “Designing your own apprenticeship“

Discovering your calling is not an epiphany but a series of intentional decisions.  It looks less like a giant leap and more like building a bridge. – Jeff Goins
 
If failure is not an option, then neither is success.  – Seth Godin

 

Curiosity

How to listen to your life

In Jeff Goins’ new book,  The Art of Work:  A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant To Do, he talks about developing a habit of awareness and truly listening, in order to discover what your are meant to do. Check out his website, with a great activity on “listening to your life“. 
 
It will take a few tries before you get your calling right.  Failure isn’t what prevents us from success, then.  It is what leads us there. – Jeff Goins
 
I used to think your calling was about doing something good in this world.  Now I understand that it is about becoming someone good – and letting that goodness impact the world around you. – Jeff Goins
Courage

RoadTrip Nation

Roadtrip nation has long been one of my favourite career information websites.  It was started by some university graduates who took to the road in an old, green RV to solicit career advice from people across the US who had build happy and successful lives for themselves.  Over time, Roadtrip nation interviewed folks like John Legend, Howard Schultz, RL Stine, Questlove, Ira Glass and many many more. The interviews were video taped and eventually compiled into a website full of treasured, sage advice for students.  Unfortunately, the Roadtrip group have recently restricted some site access to paying subscribers (bummer!).  However, you can still see short video clips of interview highlights for free, read the blog and utilize some of their tools. The link above will take you to an interactive self-assessment that invites to you start thinking about how to “mash-up” some of your interests into exciting occupational options –  typically titles emerge that you may have never considered before.  Aside from this webpage, I would also highly recommend Roadtrip Nation’s most recent book “Roadmap”.

Courage

Why some of us don’t have one true calling

Why some of us don’t have one true calling

Do you feel stifled by the thought of identifying one specific career direction?  Does the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” make you want to throw up?  If so, you are not alone.  In her recent TED talk, Emilie Wapnick celebrates people with a wide variety of interests as “mulitpotentialites”, and suggests that mulitpotentialites have specific superpowers that are very valuable to today’s workplace.

You can hear more from Emilie on her blog: puttylike.com

Curiosity

Big Magic: Creativity & Failure

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

elizabethgilbert-bigmagic

Last fall, Elizabeth Gilbert released her latest book “Big Magic”.  In this book, the best selling author of “Eat, Pray, Love”, shares her insights into building a fulfilling career in creative field.  My favourite parts of this book address how to deal with fears of failure and how your curiosity can help you find your next career step.  Although this book seems to be specifically written for authors and artists, I think much of her advice is universal.  You can hear more from Gilbert by viewing her TED talk or by listening to her interview on the Good Life Project podcast, linked here.

Uncategorized

Road Trips

Road trips are a great way to take a break from routine, explore new territory, and create lasting memories. Alberta is full of world renowned destinations, many which can be explored for little to no money. Whether you’re heading to the big city to catch the view from the top of Calgary Tower, or enjoying a hike in the breathtaking scenery just off the Icefields Parkway, taking a road trip is guaranteed to help you learn more about yourself. With structured breaks throughout the semester, university is a great time to schedule in some much needed adventure. Seize this opportunity and go learn more about our beautiful backyard in Alberta.

Check out these great resources for planning your next adventure:

Places to go

A Guide to Driving in the Mountains

Camping? Alberta’s Campground Guide

Road conditions are best in the summer months (July-August). However, if you are planning a trip in winter conditions, here are some tips to ensure you stay safe on the road.

 

Have suggestions for a great road trip destination? Feel free to leave details in the comments below.

Curiosity

Journal: Explore Occupations

Occupational Profiles:

Select three occupational titles that are of interest to you (explore the Alberta Learning website, personal contacts, job boards). Find a job description for each title (from the Alberta Learning website — http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/career/main.asp). Then explain how well each occupational title fits with your mission statement (Is each one a good fit? Explain why or why not). Also, indicate what information you feel you are still lacking about each occupational profile and how you to plan to obtain that information.

Curiosity

Journal: Life Experiences

Life Experiences:

Growing up, what kinds of things did you like to do in your spare time? Why do you think you enjoyed these activities so much?

What were you really good at when you were younger? What activities have you been drawn to throughout your life?

What type of child were you? How would you describe yourself growing up? How do you think others would have described you?

What aspects of your personality do you think you have retained into adulthood? Which have become more pronounced?

Other than your parents, whom did you admire when you were growing up? Why?

What are some of your favorite memories? What makes them so special to you?

What kinds of occupations did you think about as a child? Why do you think you were drawn to these?