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Welcome to Step 1!
The last thing you may be considering at this time is preparing for a job. But, what you know now as a freshman can influence what job you get in the future. Planning for life after your McGill education starts NOW!
(Please note: to view and register for career fairs, information sessions and workshops offered through CaPS, login to MyFuture and click on the events tab.)
- Discovering Interests
- Getting Involved
- Expanding Skills
- Job Search Tools
- Intro to Permanent Residency
Discovering Academic Interests
The first few years of university are the best to get a feel for your future studies and career. With an increasing amount of information available, deciding your future after you graduate can be tough. However, the resources below can guide you through this process:
List of resources
- Free access to professional Self-Assessments through CaPS (Career Planning Service)
Involvement and Experiences
Have you ever wondered what to put on your CV if you don't have formal work experience yet? Don't fret! Campus involvement and extra-curricular activities do matter for employers, particularly here in Canada. Not only will you enjoy working with people who share your interests, you will also develop important transferable skills at the same time!
Extra-Curricular Activities
Getting involved on campus can be recognized on your Co-Curricular Record. This record demonstrates your skills beyond the classroom to future employers.
List of resources
- Co-Curricular Record is a document that recognizes a student's involvement in learning opportunities outside the classroom. It showcases your campus involvement to your employer.
- Official campus associations and opportunities: Engage McGill
- Student associations: Campus Clubs
- myInvolvement: list of workshops, events, volunteer, and other meaningful learning opportunities.
Volunteering
Volunteering helps build and demonstrate skills to help you land a new job or advance at your current company. Volunteering also shows that you take initiative, like to keep busy and be useful. If you are looking for your first job, next job or changing careers, volunteering shows a prospective employer that you are dedicated to your community and seek diverse opportunities.
If you are not sure where to start, we have compiled a list of resources to help you:
List of resources
- Montreal Volunteer Bureau's mission is to promote community volunteerism. They recruit volunteers, offer referral services, organize volunteer fairs, and provide support to a network of 70 Meals on Wheels and Community Lunch groups.
- Alternative Spring Break is an initiative during McGill’s Reading Week, engaging students with five days of volunteering, learning, and interacting with the local Montreal community.
Expanding Skills
Language
Each additional language you master increases your chances of getting into today's global market!
If you wish to stay in Quebec after graduation, your knowledge of the French language will be a determining factor in your employment opportunities.
For those intending to apply for permanent residency, achieving B2-level French fulfills the language requirements for the PEQ program - the accelerated immigration program that many students choose after studying in Quebec.
Don't be intimidated if you've never studied French before; you will find the right level to get started through the McGill French Language Center, which provides a series of French as Second Language (FRSL) courses, varying from entry to advanced levels.
All 300-level courses are considered B2 level by MIFI, meaning that successful completion of one of those courses will fulfill the PEQ French language requirements. Additionally, other resources are available both on and off-campus for French learning:
List of resources
- FRSL courses by the French Language Centre. International students have automatically assessed fees at the Quebec tuition rate for all FRSL and almost all FREN French courses, regardless of your program. Detailed information can be found on McGill's Student Account's website.
- A step-by-step action plan to achieve B2-level French in 4 years at McGill.
- CFRN courses through McGill's School of Continuing Studies. Upon the approval of your academic advisors, you can register for these French courses as electives if those at FLC do not fit into your schedule. Some courses are recognized B2 level by MIFI, meaning that successful completion of one of those courses will fulfill the PEQ French language requirements. In addition, international students have automatically assessed fees for certain eligible French courses at the Quebec tuition rate. Detailed information can be found on McGill's Student Accounts website.
- SSMU mini-courses
- MISN language courses and LingoBuddies: LingoBuddies is a language exchange service provided by MISN to match language learners to native speakers
- Jumelage interlinguistique, Université de Montréal: For a small fee, Jumelage Interlinguistique will match you with a native French speaker from UdeM to exchange languages.
- Mundo Lingo: Mundo Lingo organizes social events to practice language skills. Usually, it occurs at a bar on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
- AUS conversation circle
- A list of language resources by CaPS
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills are the skills you acquire and can be transferred to future employment settings. Common examples include communication, interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills.
Many employers, particularly here in Canada, give weight to transferable skills in addition to proficiency in your area of study.
List of resources
- SKILLS21 is a new skill development program for McGill undergraduate students. It aims to provide flexible opportunities and support for McGill undergraduate students in the development of 21st-century skills, values, and attitudes through workshops in five different streams.
- SKILLSETS is a suite of skills development offerings aimed at graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. It intends to improve participant skills and knowledge in one or more of the following themes: Plan Your Career, Expand Expertise, Solve Problems, Lead Projects, Communicate, Be Well, and Work with Others. These themes represent important areas of development for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows that can complement their academic training.
- The CaPS' Emerging Leaders Program offers free Workshops and Mini-Conferences that help students develop their leadership.
Identifying Job Search Tools
An employer's first impression of you will often come from your CV and cover letter. These documents are crucial as they determine whether you will be invited for an interview. As such, they must showcase your most impressive skills and accomplishments. Read the listed information below and attend CaPS workshops about the basic components of successful CVs and cover letters.
Always have an updated CV ready to go - you never know when an opportunity could arise! That being said, even if you are a first-year student, take advantage of these amazing workshops and start drafting your first CV today!
List of resources
- List of information and services provided by CaPS
- A how-to guide prepared by CaPS about CV and cover letters
- CaPS workshops: Build your Job Search Tools: CV & Cover Letter. (To view and register for career fairs, information sessions, and workshops offered through CaPS, log in to MyFuture and click on the events tab.)
Interested In Staying In Quebec After Your Studies?
You may assume it is still too early to think about applying for permanent residency. But if you are even considering this possibility, we recommend taking a look at MIFI's website to get an idea of the requirements. Should you wish to apply in the future, you will know how and when to take the next steps, as some requirements may take longer to fulfill than others and require preparation in advance.
Other recommended actions:
- Taking French for PEQ (see tab "Expanding Skills - language").
- Renew your study permit on time if necessary
