Career Services services update
Everyone coming onto USask campuses must follow USask vaccination measures and mask requirements. If you are unable or unwilling to follow these measures and requirements, please choose Career Services' virtual service options. If you are feeling sick (even if it isn’t COVID-19 or you are not sure) please stay home and do not come to campus until you are symptom free for 48 hours.
Job postings
Use CareerLink to search for full, part-time or summer jobs and volunteer opportunities, and subscribe to have new postings sent directly to your inbox.
Experiential Learning
Empowering Canadian Youth for the Jobs of Tomorrow
The RBC Learn to Work, Work to Learn program equips students with the self-awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to be successful in their careers. With a primary focus on identifying and building career readiness skills students have opportunities to participate in experiential learning initiatives, industry panels, mentorship programs, and various workshops that ultimately improve their employability.
Contact program lead Ali Wehrkamp for more information.
Level Up brings real projects from organizations into Universities. Get immersed in industry projects and get equipped with work-ready skills. LEVEL UP your resume by completing short-term, 80-hour projects over two to eight weeks from organizations and get paid $1,400 to do it! Show future employers you have the real skills they need.
Contact program lead Tenneisha Nelson for more information.
Community engaged projects provide opportunities for USask students to participate in a structured learning experience in partnership with community partners. These partnerships are driven by community partner priorities and provide reciprocal benefits to those partners and the students engaged with them. Partners can complete smaller, impactful projects and students can gain develop their career-readiness competencies through experiential learning. While completing these projects students have opportunities to reflect, share, and act on their career readiness competencies, receive a bursary, and CCR recognition.
Contact program lead Tenneisha Nelson for more information.
Co-ops and internships
A number of colleges at the University of Saskatchewan offer practical learning experiences for students. These experiences may be optional or required, for-credit or non-credit, and can vary in length and commitment.
Arts and Science
- Computer Science Professional Internship Program
- Economics Internship Program
- MA Economics Co-op Internship Program
- Environment & Society – Co-operative Education Program
- Interactive Systems Design Professional Internship Program
- Physics Professional Internship Option
- Regional and Urban Planning Practicum
- Toxicology Undergraduate Research Experience Program (TUREP)
Education
Emmanuel and St. Chad
Engineering
Edwards School of Business
Nursing
Pharmacy and Nutrition
Physical Therapy
Public Health
St. Thomas More
A number of organizations coordinate experiential learning opportunities such as internships, exchanges and leaderhip programs all over the world and in a range of industries. If you are interested in interning with a certain employer, be sure to check out the careers/opportunities section of their website as many have internship experiences. Also see Volunteering, Study Abroad and International Job Links.
- AIESEC
- Campus Access
- CANADEM's International Field Experience Program
- Canada World Youth
- Canadian Roots
- Career Edge
- Exchanges Canada
- Glassdoor
- Global Vision
- Idealist
- Internex
- Mitacs
- Rank My Internship
- Rooftops Canada
- Rotary Youth Exchanges
- Study and Go Abroad
- SWAP
- The Chopras
- Volunteering Solutions
- Youth Unlimited
- Youth With A Mission
Please note, the University of Saskatchewan is not affiliated with any of the organizations noted above and offers this list simply to provide other options for students to explore, not as an endorsement. Programs vary considerably so be sure to research each thoroughly and inquire about such details as application fees, location, stipends/honorariums, requirements, accommodations, flights, health insurance, work visas, contract lengths, etc.
Meet employers
USask Career Services provides many events and opportunities for you to meet potential employers and brush up on your networking skills including:
- CareerMeetups
- Employer Info sessions
Working in Canada
Job search tips
Knowing how to search for a job effectively can be as important as the specific qualifications required for the position.
Be aware of job scams
In order to protect yourself learn how to identify fake job opportunities.
Know yourself and your objectives
Identify what kind of job you want and what you have to offer an employer. Evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, abilities, education and experience and create a personal career profile that includes an inventory of your:
- key skills, qualifications, and experiences
- interests, values, and priorities
- short-term and long-term goals
- work preferences (where you would like to work, ideal work setting, with whom you would like to work and how you would like to work—with your hands, people, information).
Look for opportunities that are of interest to you and complement your personality and strengths. Not sure what those are?
Know how to market your skills
Your ability to confidently demonstrate and articulate your skills is essential to finding employment and career success.
- Understand the eight career readiness competencies
- Understand the competencies specific to your area of study
- Practice describing these skills and focus on providing evidence
Know the employer
Employers often perceive your research and preparation as a critical factor in the evaluation process because it reflects your interest and enthusiasm. Knowing as much as possible about an employer and the opportunity will help you:
- see if you are interested in working them
- find out about different types of jobs or opportunities
- tailor your resume and cover letter to the employer’s needs
- prepare effectively for an interview
You can research in a number of ways:
- Review an employer's website
- Leverage LinkedIn
- Interview contacts within the industry (by telephone or in person)
- Conduct occupational research
Prepare your job search documents
Being able to promote your skills and experiences effectively will catch the attention of employers. All your documents should be up-to-date and designed to target specific career options.
Locate opportunities
You've done your research and your job search documents are polished and ready to go. Now it's time to find employers that are hiring.
The visible job market includes jobs that are advertised publicly in some way. It can mean a lot of competition, especially for entry-level positions. These types of positions are often found in newspapers, employer websites, and online job posting systems.
The hidden job market includes opportunities that have not yet been identified or have been identified but have not yet been formally advertised. These positions are often filled by or created for candidates who come to an employer's attention through employee recommendations, referrals from trusted associates, recruiters or direct contact with the candidate. It is estimated that 80-90% of jobs are not advertised. To access the hidden job market, you have to contact people directly and become known to them; you must become more than just a piece of paper that crosses their desk.
Apply and followup
- Keep track of when and what you have sent and who you have sent it to.
- Write down follow up dates in your calendar.
- Take opportunities to re-connect with a previous contact. For example, check the status of your application or if you were unsuccessful in obtaining position you may call for to inquire about other positions available including upcoming projects that may create opportunities.
- Be brief and sincere when speaking to your contacts.
- Be prepared if you are offered an interview
- Be sure to thank everyone in your network who assisted or referred you.
Volunteering and professional development
Volunteering and community involvement are rewarding ways to gain valuable experience, develop important skill sets, and build your professional network.
Employers like to see candidates that are well-rounded and take the initiative to participate in their community.
Engaging in professional development opportunities, like workshops or non-credit courses, gives you the opportunity to learn outside of your academic program.
Finding opportunities
Co-Curricular Record (CCR)
Explore and search the CCR directory for university-run volunteer and professional development activities that are approved to appear on your Co-Curricular Record.
- Co-Curricular Record
What is a Co-Curricular Record?
CareerLink
Use CareerLink to search for on and off-campus volunteer opportunities, and subscribe to have new postings emailed to you.
For more volunteer opportunities, check out PAWS. Many groups on campus post PAWS bulletins when looking for volunteers.
Getting help
The Career Services team is here to assist you with all aspects of your career and job search.
Career Services offers:
- Job postings
- ResumeTalks - develop and discuss your job search documents
- Career Coaching - talk about your career choices and goals and identify the direction you need to take
- InterviewTalks and Mock Interviews - develop, practice and polish your interview skills
- Career Assessments - understand yourself so you can establish clear career goals and make informed career decisions
- CareerMeetUps - opportunities to find out more about specific industries directly from employers
- Employer info sessions - detailed information about key employers before major application deadline
Upcoming events
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