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Welcome to Step 1!Ìý
The last thing you may be considering at this time is preparing for a job. But, what you know nowÌýas aÌýfreshmanÌýcan influence what job you get in the future. Planning for life after your º«¹úÂãÎè education starts NOW!
(Please note: to view and register for career fairs, information sessions and workshops offered through CaPS, login to and click on theÌýevents tab.)
- Discovering Interests
- Getting Involved
- Expanding Skills
- Job SearchÌýTools
- 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.Ìý However, the resources below can guide you through this process:Ìý
List of resources
- Free access to professionalÌýSelf-AssessmentsÌýthroughÌýCaPS (Career Planning Service)
Involvement and Experiences
Have you ever wondered what to put on your CVÌýif 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.ÌýNot only will you enjoy working with people who share your interests,Ìýyou 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 RecordÌýis a document that recognizesÌýa student's involvement in learning opportunities outside the classroom. It showcases your campus involvement to your employer.Ìý
- Official campus associations and opportunities:ÌýEngage º«¹úÂãÎèÌý
- Student associations:ÌýCampus Clubs
- myInvolvement:Ìýlist ofÌýworkshops, 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 beÌýuseful. 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
- 's mission is to promote community volunteerism. They recruit volunteers, offerÌýreferral services,ÌýorganizeÌývolunteer fairs, and provideÌýsupport to a network of 70 Meals on Wheels and Community Lunch groups.
- Alternative Spring BreakÌýis an initiative during º«¹úÂãÎè’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 wishÌýto stay in Quebec after graduation, your knowledge of theÌýFrench language will be a determining factor in your employment opportunities.
For those intending to apply for permanentÌýresidency, achieving B2-level French fulfills the language requirements for theÌýÌý-ÌýtheÌýaccelerated immigration programÌýthat many students choose after studying in Quebec.ÌýÌý
Don't be intimidated if you've never studied French before;Ìýyou will find the right level to get started throughÌýthe º«¹úÂãÎèÌýFrench Language Center, whichÌýprovides a series of French as Second Language (FRSL) courses, varying from entry to advanced levels.ÌýÌý
, 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 coursesÌýby the French Language Centre. International students haveÌýautomatically assessedÌýfees at the Quebec tuition rate for all FRSL and almost all FREN French courses, regardless of your program.ÌýDetailed information can be foundÌýon º«¹úÂãÎè's Student Account's website.
- A step-by-step action plan to achieve B2-level French in 4 years at º«¹úÂãÎè.
- CFRN courses throughÌýº«¹úÂãÎè'sÌýSchool 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.Ìý, meaning that successful completion of one of those courses will fulfill the PEQ French language requirements. In addition,Ìýinternational students have automatically assessedÌýfees for certain eligible French courses at the Quebec tuition rate.ÌýDetailed information can be foundÌýon º«¹úÂãÎè's Student Accounts website.
- and : LingoBuddies is a language exchange service provided by MISN to match language learners to native speakers
- : For a small fee, JumelageÌýInterlinguistiqueÌýwill match you with a native French speaker from UdeM to exchange languages.
- :ÌýMundo LingoÌýorganizes social events to practice language skills. Usually, it occurs at a bar on Tuesday and Friday evenings.Ìý
- AUS conversation circle
- A list of language resourcesÌýby CaPS
Transferable Skills
Transferable skills are the skills you acquire and can be transferred to future employment settings. Common examples include communication, interpersonal,Ìýleadership, and organizational skills.Ìý
Many employers, particularly here in Canada, give weight to transferable skills in addition to proficiency in your area of study.
List of resources
- SKILLS21Ìýis a new skill development program for º«¹úÂãÎè undergraduate students. It aims to provide flexible opportunities and support for º«¹úÂãÎè undergraduate students in the development of 21st-century skills, values, and attitudes through workshops in five different streams.Ìý
- SKILLSETSÌýis a suiteÌýofÌýskills development offeringsÌýaimed atÌýgraduateÌýstudentsÌýandÌýpostdoctoral fellows. ItÌýintendsÌýto 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 forÌýgraduateÌýstudentsÌýandÌýpostdoctoral fellowsÌýthat can complement their academic training.Ìý
- TheÌýCaPS' Emerging Leaders Program offers freeÌýWorkshopsÌýand Mini-ConferencesÌýthat help students develop their leadership.
Identifying Job SearchÌýTools
An employer'sÌýfirst impressionÌýof you will often come from your CV and cover letter. These documents are crucial as theyÌýdetermine 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 updatedÌýCV ready to go -Ìýyou never know when an opportunity could arise!ÌýThat beingÌýsaid, even if you are aÌýfirst-year student, take advantage of these amazing workshops and start drafting your first CV today!
List of resources
- List of information and servicesÌýprovidedÌýby CaPS
- AÌýhow-to guideÌýprepared by CaPS about CV and cover letters
- CaPS workshops:ÌýBuild your Job Search Tools: CV & Cover Letter.Ìý(To view and register for career fairs, information sessions, and workshops offered through CaPS, log in to and click on the events tab.)
Interested In Staying In QuebecÌýAfter 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 to get an idea ofÌýthe requirements. Should you wish to apply in the future, you willÌýknow how and when to take the next steps, asÌýsome requirements may take longer to fulfill than others and require preparation in advance.Ìý
Other recommended actions:
- Taking French for PEQ (see tab "Expanding Skills - language").
- Renew your study permit on time if necessary