Work Your BA Career Series 2015

Work Your BA Jan. 15-30, 2015 So…“What are you going to do after you graduate?!”

The question is no doubt familiar, and potentially anxiety-provoking, to any student or soon-to-be Arts graduate, and it can be a challenging one to answer. The possibilities are many, and career paths and transitions often make much more sense in hindsight that they do when you are right in the midst of them. Learning about the routes that others have followed can often be helpful when you're thinking about your own options, so if you're looking for ideas, information, inspiration, motivation and advice, come to Work Your BA organized by McGill's Career Planning Service (CaPS) and the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS).

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CaPS and AUS are organizing a buffet of events to feed your career curiosity from the NGO/Non Profit Fair to career panel discussions to a great roundtable event to help you meet and learn from professionals in a wide variety of fields.

[to view the speakers and their bios, click here]

WORK YOUR BA WARMUP!

Arts Undergraduate Research Event January 14, 4:30 pm 6:30 pm – Leacock 232

On January 14, 2015, we celebrate the contributions of undergraduate students to research within the Faculty of Arts at McGill.  The Arts Undergraduate Research Event features multimedia presentations from students and a research poster showcase.  Participating students include summer 2014 ARIA (Arts Research Internships Awards) recipients.  Opening remarks by Principal Suzanne Fortier & Dean of Arts Christopher P. Manfredi

Link:  https://www.mcgill.ca/arts-undergraduate-research/annual-undergraduate-research-event

EVENTS:

What to do with your BA in the Marketplace
January 15, 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm – Brown 2200

SPEAKER:

Scott Gregoire, Institutional Equity Sales, BMO Capital Markets, New York City

Scott Gregoire is an Institutional Equity Sales person at BMO Capital Markets where he covers mutual, pension and hedge funds in the NY/Mid-Atlantic region. Scott spends most of his time delivering the Canadian Equity platform to Wall Street investors. Previous to BMO, he started his career at the ISI Group in 2004, where he was a generalist salesman. Scott graduated with a B.A. in International Development Studies at McGill University, is an avid golfer, and traveler.

It Starts With Arts:  Speed Mentoring Panel
January 20, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm – Shatner Ballroom

Wondering about career possibilities and options following your BA? Inspiration awaits at the “It Starts With Arts” roundtable. At the event, students will have the chance to meet and talk briefly with professionals from a diverse range of fields who have used their BAs as a springboard to launch their careers!

Panelists: (more to come)

Amy Macdonald,  ELAN, Program Coordinator

Eric Gauthier, President, MyTLA - Transportation and Logistics

Rachel Moore, Canada Revenue Agency, Student Ambassador

Melissa Stremel, Director of Project Management, NeuroRx Research

Leon Mwotia, Community Operations Manager, Uber

Christine Herr, Program Coordinator, World Federation of Hemophilia

Jess Burgess, Senior Program Manager, Consortium for Energy Efficiency

Stephanie Khairallah, Market Analyst, Numera Analytics

Arnav Manchanda – Development Officer, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University

Jan Brand, Investment Banking Analyst, BMO Capital Markets

CaPS CV Drop-In
January 21, 26, 28, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Arts Lounge

Want to increase your chances of securing that job? Have your CV (aka Resume) checked by a professional! CaPS is holding CV drop-ins in the Arts Lounge. Sign up for a time slot.  Please bring a hard copy of your CV.

CANCELLED - Local Entrepreneurship (Panel)
January 21, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Madelaine Parent Room, University Centre (Shatner)

Find out how local entrepreneurs made their dreams come true, from Arts  undergraduate students to successful entrepreneurs. The Dobson Centre will also be present to tell you about all their amazing resources for you to start your own company - including their bootcamp and start up awards!

Ottawa Career & Networking Trip January 21-23

In Collaboration with CaPS, PGSS & AUS:

Interested in exploring career opportunities within the federal government? Please join us for our first federal government career tour, where you will have the opportunity to hear about career paths in the public sector, and network with hiring managers. This will be an exclusive opportunity to network with government officials. Special emphasis will be placed on public service renewal and the programs geared towards student employment.

Note that a maximum of 30 seats are available (15 undergraduate students and 15 graduate students).

Dates: Wednesday, January 21st-Friday, January 23rd, 2015 Destination: Gatineau-Ottawa Lodging: Crowne Plaza Gatineau-Ottawa Cost: starting at $187 per person, based on double occupancy** Departure: from Roddick Gates Wednesday, January 21st @ 6:30pm Return to Montreal Friday, January 23rd at approximately 9:00pm

Schedule of meetings with Federal government departments providing an overview of their programs and policies. Thursday, January 22nd (9am-12pm): Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Thursday, January 22nd (1pm-4pm): Public Service Commission of Canada Friday, January 23rd (9am-12pm): Department of Employment and Social Development Canada Friday,January 23rd (1pm-4pm): Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Your trip includes 2 nights at Crowne Plaza Gatineau-Ottawa (crowneplaza.com/gatineauottawa), all meeting arrangements and transportation by deluxe coach bus. All taxes included. Networking evening on Thursday, January 22 with McGill Alumni (TBC) An exclusive CV and Networking workshop delivered by CaPS for participants.

**You are responsible for finding other people to share your room. PGSS can help, but we are not responsible if you are unable to fill your room; you will have to pay the full price.**

Space limited, register early!! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner not included. Please note: For double occupancy, there are 2 queen size beds in the room

For more information contact: info.pgss [at] mail.mcgill.ca

https://pgss.mcgill.ca/en/event/297

Budgeting Basics for BAs
January 22 – 11:45 am – 12:15 pm – Brown 3001

Learn tips about how to budget your finances.

LinkedIn Headshot Photography
January 22, 27, 29 – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – AIO Lounge, Room 308, Leacock

Your LinkedIn profile picture is an integral part of your personal branding statement. Your LinkedIn profile picture is how the world sees you. This is not the place for a photo taken with your iPhone during frosh.  Sign-up to have your picture taken by Arts photographers.  Be sure to dress professionally! A quick web search will give you good tips for an appropriate LinkedIn photo. 

BA to Beyond the Rack (Keynote Speaker)
January 22 – 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Brown 2200

Yona Shtern – CEO of Beyond the Rack

Yona Shtern is the co-founder and CEO of Beyond the Rack. The company was named #1 fastest growing e-tailer in North America by Internet Retailer Magazine in 2011 (IR Top 500) - and 3^rd fastest growing private company in Canada. Launched in 2009, BTR has grown exponentially with 13 million consumer members, 5,000 brand partners and 400 employees.  Prior to co-founding Beyond the Rack, Yona was Chief Marketing Officer of Ice.com (online jeweler), and CMO of Microcell Telecommunications where he launched the Fido wireless brand in Canada.  He was also Vice President of Direct and Database Marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and Director of Direct Marketing at Avon Products.  He began his career with a BA in English Literature from McGill University.

Yona has been an entrepreneur for over 10 years and is a frequent speaker and panelist at international marketing and technology conferences.  He has received numerous awards for his advertising, product launch, and marketing strategies.

How to be Productive During a Gap Year (Panel)
January 23, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Lev Bukhman, University Centre (Shatner)

Maybe you want to take a well-deserved break from academics after completing your B.A., or maybe you have no idea what you want to do with your life. Either way, come to this info session to get inspired on how to make the most out of your time off! Going through a variety of options from travelling and teaching English in another country, to internships or projects and work opportunities, this event will give handy tips and ideas on what to do during your Gap year.

Lauren Pochereva, BA World Religions

After graduating from McGill with a BA in World Religions, Lauren returned to pursue a Diploma in Environment. She has worked and volunteered with environmental NGOs around Montreal including the Fondation David Suzuki, Action Communiterre, and Alternatives. During this time she became interested in the environmental and ethical dimensions of food and food systems and has been increasingly involved in the Montreal urban agriculture movement. In 2012 she was an inaugural McGill PFF Community Leadership Fellow and implemented the St. Monica School Garden Program at a local elementary school. Lauren believes gardens are an important site of learning and sharing. They promote healthy living habits and create vibrant social spaces for the community. She believes that sharing knowledge and making improvements in our environment can bring people together and help create social and political change.

Volunteering Abroad:  Tips & Advice (Speaker)
January 26, 12:00pm – 12:30 pm – Brown 2200

Volunteering abroad can be a richly rewarding experience but with so many options how do you know what is right for you? How do you choose an organization? Country? What experiences can you gain from volunteering abroad? What do you need to think about before leaving? Our guest speaker, Lori Burnett, has volunteered on projects from orphanages & construction, to working with endangered species, rainforest preservation and more. Lori will share with you some of her experiences in India, Vietnam, Peru, Ghana, Ecuador and Israel. 

CAREER FAIR: NGO/Non-Profit Fair January 26, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm – Lev Bukhman Room, SSMU This popular career fair targets organizations offering internships, summer and volunteer opportunities both locally and abroad. 

Participating Organizations:

Thinking of a Career with the UN? (Speaker)
January 26, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – FDA Auditorium

Passionate about international issues? Human rights? Development? Then you won’t want to miss our guest speaker from UN's HR department in New York , who will help you understand what a career at the UN might look like and how to get there!

Ms. Glenda Newton - UN Secretariat

Ms. Newton is a national of Canada with over 20 years of experience in corporate, agency, consulting and UN experience. She started her career within the UN system with UNESCO in Montreal at The Institute for Statistics as Head of HR. Following her service with the UIS, Ms. Newton joined the UN Secretariat as Chief Human Resources Officer in 2012, serving in Brindis, Italy at the UN’s Global Service Centre.  During the past year she has worked on-assignment in the Office of Human Resources Management, in New York, as a Staff Development Officer occupying the role of focal point for Performance Management including the related policy, training and implementation.  Recently she joined the Outreach Unit as HR Officer and Gender Focal Point.  Ms Newton holds a BA in Man and The Environment, a BA in Science and Human Affairs and is currently completing her MSc in HR Management

Grad School:  To Go or Not To Go
January 27, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm - Brown 2200

If you’re considering furthering your education, this panel is a must! Our panelists, current students will speak briefly about their decision to go to grad school and their experiences thus far.

The Truth About Law School:  Should You Go, What's it Like & How to Get In
January 28, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm – Brown 2200

Do you want to be the next Harvey Specter? Fight for the underdog or defend innocents in a court of law?Come to our law school information session, where our career advisors will talk about what to consider when thinking about law school. Following this, you’ll be able to speak with current and past law students about their decision to attend law school and their experiences so far.

Panelists:

Gillian Nycum Acting Assistant Dean (Admissions & Recruitment), McGill Faculty of Law

Naiara Toker, BA, current LL.B./B.C.L. student

Julia Deutsch, BA, current LL.B./B.C.L. student

Lucie Lanctuit, B.C.L/LL.B, Lawyer, Charbonneau Commission

CANCELLED - Social Media & the Job Search
January 29, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm – TBA

Employers are increasingly including social media sites in their search for talent, and many candidates are eliminated from the recruitment process because of what employers have found on the web. On the flip side, only a small minority of job-seekers are seriously using social media in their job search practices. Turn the odds in your favour!  This workshop/ info session will help participants adapt and expand their social media use to manage what employers see, as well as gain access to the hidden job

Closing Event: Wine and Cheese
January 30, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Brown 2200

This is your opportunity to network your way to your future! You will have a chance to put all your have learned during Work your BA and network with students, alumni,  reps from the NGO/Non-Profit Fair and speakers from the panels.  There will be wine and cheese too!

Registration required through myFuture. From your homepage, click on the Events tab followed by the Workshop tab and keyword Arts/BA