On today’s episode, we're tackling a pretty common question—what the heck can you do with your degree?

Whether you’re considering what program to pursue or are about to graduate with a degree, it can be hard to know what’s next. We’re joined by Joy Andrews, one of UVic’s amazing career educators, who will walk us through:

• how to identify your passion and your strengths
• how to find the right employer
• putting together an elevator pitch
• the perks of meeting with your career educator

Students and alumni can book one-on-one appointments with Joy and her team.

Resources from this episode

• Meet with your career educator

Connect with us

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

• (02:10) - - What does it look like to meet with your career educator?
• (02:45) - - Step 1 - Identify your passion - what made you want to do your degree?
• (03:55) - - Step 2 - Figure out your strengths - what are you proud of?
• (06:00) - - Step 3 - Digging deeper - understanding your strengths, passions and career fits.
• (07:05) - - Step 4 - Exploring possible career paths
• (08:06) - - Step 5 - Planning your next steps
• (09:05) - - Step 6 - Sharing resources and contacts so you can learn more
• (09:55) - - What if you don’t have any idea of what you want to do?
• (10:56) - - How do you find the right employer?
• (11:55) - - How to put together an elevator pitch
• (14:15) - - How to prepare for a job interview
• (14:40) - - How to navigate today’s labour market
• (16:03) - - What are the perks of an appointment with your career educator?

On our season 3 kick-off episode, we speak with Fiona Wong, a UVic Law graduate with a passion for labour and employment law. She has served as President of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, helped produce an award-winning law documentary called “But I Look Like a Lawyer”, and launched a podcast featuring Asian-Canadian lawyers.

During her time at UVic, Fiona founded the First Generation Network at UVic to reduce barriers for law students who are the first in their family to attend post-secondary.

We talk with Fiona about facing discrimination as an Asian student and lawyer, how her identity shapes her career in law, and much more.

Resources from this episode

• First Generation Network
• But I Look Like a Lawyer
• UVic Law
• The UVic Co-op Program
• Accessing career support

Connect with us

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

• (02:52) - What drew Fiona to the field of law? Why UVic?
• (04:42) - What inspired Fiona to start the First Generation Network to connect with other students who are the first to attend post-secondary?
• (07:30) - What does it mean to be a labour and employment lawyer, as well as a civl rights lawyer?
• (09:50) - Fiona tells us what she loves most about her job
• (12:05) - Fiona shares how her identity as an Asian woman has shaped her experience in the field of law
• (15:50) - What opportunities does Fiona see for change in removing barriers for Asian students to study and practice law?
• (18:12) - Fiona gives advice to students who are interested in a career in law
• (22:39) - What’s next for Fiona?
• (24:04) - Rapid fire questions
• (24:20) - Favourite off-campus spot
• (24:55) - Favourite on-campus spot
• (25:05) - Faculty members who inspired Fiona

Don’t want to commit to just one career path? Being flexible can lead you on some amazing adventures.

On today’s episode, Katy and Emma speak with Mark Leiren-Young who was UVic's second ever double major, in Theatre and Creative Writing and who currently works as a UVic professor in the Writing department, among many other roles.

We chat with Mark about:

• Working in creative fields as diverse as writing award-winning movies The Green Chain and the Hundred-Year-Old Whale
• Hosting the Skaana podcast, where he covers ocean-related environmental issues
• Touring Canada as half of the comedy duo, Local Anxiety
• Teaching classes on the Marvel and DC universes

…and much more!

Resources from this episode

• Skaana podcast
• UVic Writing Program
• The UVic Co-op Program
• Accessing career support

Connect with us

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

• (00:00) - Music intro
• (00:32) - Welcome and host intros
• (02:18) - All about Mark Leiren-Young
• (03:20) - Stumbling into a journalism job after graduating in the late 80's
• (05:42) - Why it's important to study something you love
• (06:56) - A cornucopia of all the jobs that Mark has done in the arts
• (09:17) - What's the common thread in careers by creative people?
• (11:02) - How Mark started writing tv scripts in the 90's, starting with an episode of The X Files
• (12:22) - How Mark landed the writing gig for the Orca Exhibit at the Royal BC Museum and became "the whale guy"
• (16:05) - How Mark became a podcaster focused on stories about Orcas
• (20:15) - How Mark helps students from all disciplines tap into their creative side in FA 101 "Creative Being"
• (23:43) - Mark's advice on how to translate your passion for the arts into a career you love
• (26:02) - Rapid fire: what's something on campus that's stayed the same since the 80s
• (26:51) - Rapid fire: best place to grab food on campus