Career Exploration Interviews

Career Exploration Interviews (CEI) connect students, postdoctoral fellows, and alumni (participants) with community-based professionals working in a variety of areas (hosts) to learn from their career stories. The University of Alberta Career Centre matches participants and hosts for a 1.5 - 4 hour virtual discussion focused on participant career questions and interests.

CEIs are voluntary (unpaid) and are not tied to an academic program. We cannot guarantee that every participant and host will be matched.

If you require accommodations, such as accessing the list of hosts, help reading the form, or completing the required questions, please contact careereducation@ualberta.ca.

FALL 2021 Career Exploration Interviews:

  • Host applications accepted August 15 to September 17
  • Participant applications accepted September 20 to October 12
  • Interviews will take place between November 15-26; the exact date and time of the CEI is based on the host's availability and preference
  • All CEIs will take place virtually via telephone or online platform

Information Sessions

Attend one of our optional information sessions to learn how to prepare a strong application, learn what to expect from your CEI, and develop strategies for picking hosts that will help you manage your career development. 

  • Tuesday, October 5: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. MST via ZOOM
  • Wednesday, October 6: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. MST via ZOOM

Sign up now through campusBRIDGE, or email careereducation@ualberta.ca.

Information for Participants

Eligibility
Undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and alumni are all encouraged to apply.
Time Commitment
  • The full program cycle from application through to conclusion of your CEI will take between 4 and 8 hours of your time.  
  • The application allows you to select your top 3 hosts.
  • Make sure you are available on the day(s) each host indicates. Work hours are typically between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, however, some hosts may work shift work, evening hours, or may be working in other time zones which may shift your participation time.
  • Any contact that continues beyond formal CEI conversation is at the sole discretion of hosts and participants.
Cost
There is no fee for this program, however, participants are expected to cover their own incidental costs such as phone or internet access.
Program Outcomes

Through a Career Exploration Interview, participants will:

  • Learn about potential career options and ways to apply education, training and/or experience;
  • Test a career option before making a commitment to pursue it;
  • Clarify work-related preferences and interests (e.g., work environment, sector, tasks);
  • Develop knowledge of the industry, occupation or field as well as the specific vocabulary within that field;
  • Make useful connections with professionals;
  • Increase confidence in the work search process.
  • Gain exposure to the Canadian workplace.
Expectations

Before applying to the program, read the participant guidebook for ways to prepare a strong application.

After being accepted into the program, participants are expected to:

  • complete a mandatory training session online;
  • have access to a device they can participate in the CEI virtually;
  • contact your host by email prior to the CEI to arrange details for the discussion and activity.
Registration

Students and Alumni

Applications for current students (undergraduate and graduate) and alumni are being accepted via campusBRIDGE. Please ensure that you review and follow the instructions indicated.

Postdoctoral Fellows

Postdoctoral fellows can access the CEI participant application and list of hosts here. 

Participant applications are being accepted from September 20 to October 15, 2021. Be sure to review the participant guidebook in advance to ensure a strong application.

Information for Hosts

Eligibility

Individuals working anywhere in the world are encouraged to sign up as a host. We cannot guarantee that every host will be matched.

Time Commitment
  • Registration takes about 20 minutes. 
  • You will spend 30 minutes to an hour planning your discussion and activity and preparing an itinerary for the interview.
  • The CEI itself will last between 1.5 and 4 hours
  • Any contact that continues beyond formal CEI conversation is at the sole discretion of hosts and participants.
Cost
There are no direct costs to hosts. Indirect costs include the time spent preparing for and conducting the CEI, and phone or internet access.
Program Outcomes

Being a Career Exploration Interview Host can be a rewarding experience as it allows you to:

  • Develop your personal leadership skills;
  • Contribute to the growth and development of your field;
  • Learn about what students, alumni, or postdoctoral fellows look for in their job and workplace
  • Provide variety in your workday;
  • Provide new professionals with the support you had (or wish you had) when you first started working.
Expectations

Our host guidebook outlines key responsibilities which include:

  • Participating in an interview with up to 4 participant(s);
  • Guiding meaningful discussions with the participants;
  • Going beyond discussions by introducing a simple activity focussed on developing skills related to your work;
  • Providing a safe, respectful learning environment; and
  • In addition to a general discussion about your career, you’ll walk participants through a hands-on activity outlined on page 2 of the host guidebook. The activity is meant to illustrate your work and help participants practice their skills and/or apply their knowledge. The activity is not to be used as a way to get participants to complete work for you. Contact the Career Centre at careereducation@ualberta.ca for ideas for activities.

Registration

The deadline to register as a CEI host is September 17, 2021.

Instructions for Registering

Returning Hosts
Returning hosts should log into their campusBRIDGE account and follow these steps:

  1. On the left-hand side menu, click on Registration/Opportunities
  2. Click the green View button (under "Opportunities" in the box that lists your Job Title)  
  3. Click the Blue Circle in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen
  4. Click Edit Opportunity
  5. Scroll down to Question 24 and edit your availability. You may also alter any other profile details at this time.
  6. Click Save
  7. We will be in touch with you by mid-September to confirm receipt of your profile and clarify next steps.

New Hosts

Please follow these instructions to register as a new host. Contact careereducation@ualberta.ca if you have questions or need further support.

  1. Create an Employer & Partner account on campusBRIDGE. 
    1. Watch this video if you need assistance. 
    2. You can ONLY use an Employer & Partner account to register as a CEI Host. 
    3. If you already have an Employer & Partner account, skip to step 3. 
  2. Wait 1-2 business days for your account to be approved at which time you will receive an email from the UofA Career Centre from campusbridge@ualberta.ca.
  3. Log in to your "Employer & Partner" account on campusBRIDGE and complete the following steps to create a CEI host profile
    1. On the left-hand side menu, click Career Exploration Interviews (CEI). 
    2. Click submenu Registration / Opportunities.
    3. Choose the blue Create New + button on the right side of your screen to create a new CEI opportunity.
    4. In the drop-down menu under Experience Type, select Career Exploration Interviews. 
    5. Click Next.
    6. Click Next again.
    7. Complete the form by telling us about the CEI you will plan. Please provide as much detail as possible. Participants will see all this information and use it to decide on which opportunities to apply for. 
    8. Click Next at the end of the application to save.
    9. We will be in touch with you the week after the host deadline to confirm receipt of your profile and clarify next steps.

 

Audience

Students, Public

Category
Career & Professional Development
Provider
Provost