Work It: A UVic career exploration podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

How can you use AI as you search for work? What should you look out for and how can you leverage these tools?

Katy and Emma chat with career educator Karae White about how to best use generative AI and machine learning to search for work, write résumés and cover letters, prepare for interviews and more. 

Resources from this episode

• Accessing career support
• The UVic Co-op Program
• Using AI in your work search
• VMock: a free AI tool for UVic students looking for work

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• Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter
• Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

Photo by Cash Macanaya on Unsplash

• (00:00) - Intro music
• (00:31) - Welcome and introductions
• (03:20) - What does a UVic career educator do?
• (05:30) - How can AI help you understand your skills and potential jobs?
• (08:20) - Understanding Chatgpt and the risk of "hallucinations"
• (12:32) - Is AI going to take your job?
• (13:35) - How to create accurate and effective content with AI
• (17:30) - How are employers using AI in the hiring process? What should your applications look like?
• (21:42) - Using VMock, a free tool for UVic students to help you write AI-proof applications
• (22:45) - How can job seekers be successful today with AI being so prevalent?
• (25:00) - How to use AI as a tool as you think about possible careers
• (26:14) - How to use AI when putting together a résumé and cover letter
• (27:05) - The best way to use AI in your job interview
• (28:08) - How AI is contributing to the fourth industrial revolution and how this impacts job seekers and the labour market
• (31:18) - Resources to help use AI in your work search

On the first episode of season 2, hosts Katy and Emma speak with Jayesh Vekariya, a UVic MBA graduate who is the CEO and one of the founders of Joni, a Victoria-based company that produces organic, sustainable menstrual products.

Jayesh is also one of UVic’s 2024 Emerging Alumni.

Join us as we talk with Jayesh about: 

• how growing up in Gujurat, India inspired him to launch a business that tackles sustainability and poverty reduction
• what it was like pivoting from a career in pharmacy to pursue his third graduate program at UVic
• tackling the issue of period poverty
• finding a business partner in Linda Biggs, who previously served as chief operating officer at Victoria-based reusable food wrap company Abeego

…and much more! 

Resources from this episode

·       Joni

·       Emerging Alumni Award

·       The UVic Co-op Program

·       Accessing career support 

Contact us

• Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter
• Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:32) - Welcome to today's episode
• (01:39) - Introducing Jayesh Vekariya
• (02:12) - What does Joni produce?
• (03:38) - Addressing sustainability and accessibility in menstrual care
• (06:24) - How do you develop an idea you had as a student into a viable business for community?
• (09:34) - How did you choose menstrual products as a business focus?
• (10:38) - How did you tackle branding?
• (12:13) - Why was it important to find a business partner?
• (00:15) - How did your co-op experience help you develop your business?
• (18:34) - How do co-op students help you as an employer?
• (20:26) - Why did you choose UVic?
• (21:51) - What advice do you have for students interested in entrepreneurship?
• (25:00) - Rapid fire questions about Jayesh's time at UVic
• (26:18) - If you could do it all again, what would you do more of?

How can you avoid burnout by practicing self-care at work? 

Katy and Emma chat with career educator Darcie Gabruck about recognizing signs of burnout, setting boundaries in the workplace, setting up strategies for sustainable self-care, and addressing and healing from burnout when it happens. 

Resources from this episode

·      UVic Student Wellness

·      UVic Career Services

·      UVic Multifaith Centre

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What can you do with a degree in… history? 

Katy and Emma chat with guest Natasha Thambirajah about how a history and political science degree led to a career in digital health public policy. 

Natasha Thambirajah is a third-generation public servant and has worked for the Province of BC since 2006. Over the past 15 years, she has led nationally recognized examples of transformative, citizen-centred public policy, including the prize-winning BC Services Card and the modernization of gender identity expression on government-issued identification. Natasha completed a double major Bachelor of Arts in history and political science at UVic, and holds a Master of Arts from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Science in Public Health from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. This podcast was created while Natasha was still working for the Province of BC. She recently left government to establish her own inclusive, equitable and BIPOC friendly strategic management consultancy, Haven Consulting.

Join us as we talk about: 

·      Strategies for making change in public health policy

·      Working in government as a BIPOC woman

·      Building equity through digital health policy

·      Creating a strong team as a manager and leader

·      Tips for students who are interested in a career in the public service

And much more! 

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• Natasha's consulting firm: Haven Consulting

How can you practice self-advocacy at work? 

Katy and Emma talk with career educator and international student advisor Amy Chen about self-identification during the job search and application process, your rights and responsibilities in the workplace, and how you can advocate for yourself on the job. 

Resources from this episode: 

·      Disability Alliance BC: Disclosing Your Disability Guide

·      BC Human Rights Tribunal

·      BC Human Rights Clinic (free legal services)

·      Lime Connect

·      CanAssist at UVic

·      Canada’s Best Diversity Employers

·      Accessible Employers – A President’s Group Initiative

·      Indigenous Work-Integrated Learning Resource Hub

·      Resources from our website

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What can you do with a degree in… commerce and entrepreneurship?

Katy and Emma connect with guest Kat Craats about her career as a marketing professional in the adventure tourism industry, plus her freelance photography business! 

Kat Craats is a photographer, outdoor enthusiast and adrenaline-junkie living in Squamish, BC. UVic’s BCom program inspired her love of marketing, setting her on the path to becoming the Marketing Manager at WildPlay Element Parks.

Tune in to hear our conversation:

·      How Kat found her first co-op job as a business student

·      How networking can help you find a job

·      Building a thriving freelance business while working full-time

·      Sustainability in marketing and advertising 

·      How to pitch creative projects to your manager at work

and much more! 

Resources from this episode

·      Kat’s website

·      Find Kat on Instagram

·      Find Kat on Facebook

·      Networking tips from UVic Career Services

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How can you feel confident during job interviews? 

Katy and Emma talk with career educator Selina Jorgensen about how to feel confident and succeed during job interviews! Learn how to answer the most difficult interview questions, prepare effectively for job interviews, and manage your nerves. 

Resources from this episode: 

·      Job interview tips on our website

·      Use VMock’s AI tool to practice before job interviews

·      Attend a career workshop at UVic

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Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

What can you do with a degree in… global business?

Katy and Emma chat with guest Dayah Johal about her journey to a career in public service. 

Dayah Johal is an alum of the Master in Global Business program at UVic, who now works for the provincial government. She found her way to this career path after completing a co-op term with the BC Public Service.

Join us as we talk about: 

·      Choosing to pursue graduate studies and the impact of remote learning

·      Building cultural intelligence and global communities

·      Growing your skills by experimenting with different types of jobs

·      How business skills translate to a career in government

·      Getting started in a career in the public service

Resources from this episode: 

·      uvic.ca/coop

·      uvic.ca/career-services

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How can you stand out when you’re applying for jobs? 

It can be intimidating to put yourself out there and apply for jobs when you're just beginning your career. How can you make a great impression, showcase your skills and stand out to recruiters? 

Katy and Emma talk with career educator Richard Myers about how to make an impact with your resume and cover letter during the job application process! Learn how to read a job posting effectively, identify your key skills, and showcase your experience during your job search. Plus, we talk about strategies for effective networking, how to use LinkedIn to help your job search, and how AI can help you read a job posting.

• (00:00) - Intro

Resources from this episode 

·      Use VMock’s AI tool to build your resume

·      Attend a career workshop at UVic

·      Job application tips on our website

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Follow UVic Co-op and Career on social media

What can you do with a degree in… Indigenous Studies and Environmental Studies? Learn all about a career in ecological restoration work in British Columbia waterways.

Katy and Emma talk with guest Hannah Gentes about her role with Coastal Restoration Society.

Hannah Gentes is a Saulteaux-Metis woman currently living in Lekwungen territory. She is a Senior Project Manager and Indigenous Initiatives Lead with the environmental non-profit Coastal Restoration Society. She has a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies and Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria. She will be starting a master’s project in Indigenous-led restoration at the School of Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria in September 2023. She is passionate about Indigenous Environmental Stewardship, community building, and land-based learning. Outside of work and school, Hannah enjoys hiking, paddling, making art, and music. 

Join us as we chat about: 

·      Working in ecological restoration and the environmental sector

·      Centering Indigenous communities in ecological restoration work

·      Finding workplaces that align with your personal values

·      Self-care and avoiding burnout at work

·      Getting started in a career in the environmental sector

Resources from this episode

·      uvic.ca/coop

·      uvic.ca/career-services

·      https://www.coastrestore.com/

·      https://acewilbc.ca/projects/indigenous-wil-resource-hub/

Read a transcript of this episode

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