Career Exploration Interviews

• 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.

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.

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.

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

• 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.

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.

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 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.