What can you do with your degree?
When: Winter 2012
Where: Various Locations
Categories: What can you do with your degree sessions
Wondering how to make the leap from university to a rewarding career? Sign up for a “What can you do with your degree” session to hear from industry experts who will tell you how they broke into their sectors and share valuable career advice.
Why attend?
This is a chance to:
- learn about career options in specific industries
- hear about the current job market
- understand the competencies that you’ve developed through your coursework
- get meaningful advice about your career plans
- figure out your next steps after graduation
Wondering what to expect? Check out our past What can you do with a degree sessions on the Co-op and Career Youtube channel.
Current Panel topics include:
Health sector Thurs, Jan 26 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. (Cornett A221)
Green building industry Weds, Feb 1 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. (Social Sciences and Math A110)
Working in government Thurs, Feb 2 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. (MacLaurin D116)
Communications Tues, Feb 7 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. (Cornett A221)
International careers Thurs, Feb 23 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. (MacLaurin D116)
What can I do with a degree in Political Science? Tuesday, January 31 from 6:00pm (University Club, Fireside Lounge)
What can I do with a degree in Geography/Environmental Studies? Tuesday, Feb 28 from 5:30pm (SSM A104)
Event details for: Students and Alumni
What You Can Do With Your Geography and Environmental Studies Degree?
Mayor Dean Fortin - City of Victoria - our current elected Mayor who has served in the municipal government since 2002. Mayor Fortin is Chair of the Victoria Police Board and the Co-Chair for the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. He is a director on the Capital Regional Board and serves as the Vice Chair of the Planning and Protective Services Committee.
Briony Penn - An adjunct professor at University of Victoria for the past 18 years as well as a co-founder of The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC). She has worked as a cartographer assisting communities in mapping projects, and operates a consulting business for environmental education, communication and design.
Iain Bournhill - A geography graduate from UVic, having experience on a co-op work term he will share with us some of the experience and benefits of the program. He works currently as a planner for the city of Colwood.
Lucas Harris - Economic and Financial Analyst for Parks and Protected Areas Division of BC Ministry of Environment
Galen Artmstrong - Sierra Club - Spent the last four years as a community and student organizer with two organizations: the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy in Mississippi. He also spent a summer as an intern with United Food and Commercial Worker’s Wake Up Walmart project in DC, helping Walmart employees fight back against discriminatory policies and unfair treatment.
Have you considered an international career?
What can you do with your degree? Have you considered an international career?
- How can you access an international position?
- What should you know before you go?
- Is an international career right for you?
At this session, you’ll find the answers to these questions and get meaningful advice about your career plans.
WHEN: Thurs, Feb 23 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: MacLaurin D116
Visit http://learninginmotion.uvic.ca to sign up for this and other “What can you do with your degree?” sessions.
Name:
John McDonald
Degree(s) and year:
UVic - BA Pacific and Asian Studies, 1992; MBA from the Paris based business school, INSEAD
Current position:
Managing Director and Chief Representative British Columbia Trade and Investment Office, ShanghaiCurrent employer:
BC Government
Number of years in position:
5
Other related employment/information since completing degree:
As Managing Director of the British Columbia Trade and Investment Office in Shanghai, John leads all trade and investment related programming for BC in East China with an emphasis in assisting Chinese enterprise identify sound investment opportunities and supporting BC companies in their market access success. He is a long time China resident who has called Shanghai, Beijing, Dalian and Taipei home at one time or another. Throughout his public and private sector work he has developed a track record of successful business investment, marketing and government relations in the areas of natural resources, services, and media.
Name: Frank Worsley
Degree: UVic Computer Science degree
Current position: Software Engineer
Current employer: Google
Number of years in position: 1
Other related employment/information since completing degree: I'm working as a software engineer on the Android Digital Content team, specifically working on the Google eBooks web reader. I've been working on this project for 9 months. I joined Google last year in April and this is the first project I've worked on. Prior to Google I ran my own company in Vancouver that provided a service to generate eBooks from online content. I also worked at two startups. First at GenoLogics in Victoria where I was one of the first employees. I left the company after four years and then worked at Heart Force Medical in Vancouver for about two years.
Name: Richard Davies
Degree and year: BA Hons Communications Studies 1986-89, Coventry Polytechnic, UK
Current position: PR and merchandising manager
Current employer: AbeBooks.com
Number of years in position: 8 years 1 month
Other related employment/information since completing degree: 6 years in journalism, 10+ years in public relations. Also worked for the NFL in London for a couple years and that job involved a lot of travel.
Name: Ashli Akins
Degree and year: 2009 UVic Bachelor of Arts degree: double-major in environmental studies and Latin American multidisciplinary studies, with a minor in professional writing: journalism & publishing.
Current position: Founder and director of Mosqoy: Sacred Valley Youth Fund, as well as founder and president of the Q’ente Textile Revitalization Society, two non-profit organizations that promote educational and cultural rights in marginalized indigenous Quechua communities of the Peruvian Andes.
Number of years in position: 6
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Ashli currently splits her time between Dunedin, New Zealand; Ollantaytambo, Peru; Oxford, England; and Victoria, Canada. She is a graduate student at the University of Oxford in International Human Rights Law. Ashli is also a photojournalist, writer, and communications consultant, aiming to educate about human rights and environmental issues through the media. In 2008, she completed a co-op photography research internship in New York City with National Geographic Adventure magazine. Her current contracts include communications and outreach work for the Tyee Newspaper (Vancouver, Canada), Salmon Coast Field Station Society (Broughton Archipelago, Canada), Health for Humanity Service Society (Antigua, Guatemala), and the Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago (Dunedin, New Zealand). She is also currently completing an Assistant Research Fellowship at the University of Otago, researching issues relating to indigenous Māori land rights; the interplay between traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and science; cultural precautionary principles; and co-management strategies between the New Zealand government and Māori communities.
Have you considered the Health Sector?
What can you do with your degree in? Have you considered the Health Sector?
From policy makers to operational support, the fast-growing health industry needs a range of skills, including yours. Is it right for you?
At this session, you’ll:
• Connect with industry professionals
• Discover how your degree relates to this field
• Get meaningful advice about your career plans
WHEN: Thurs, Jan 26 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: Cornett A221
RSVP: http://learninginmotion.uvic.ca to register for this and other “What can you do with your degree?” sessions.
Panelist Information:
Name: Emily Dicken
Degree and year: BSc (Hons Geog) from UVic – 2004, MSc (Geog) Oxford University - 2007, PhD Candidate UVic 2009-present
Current position: Manager Social Policy & Programs, Emergency Management Unit, BC Ministry of Health
Current employer: BC Government
Number of years in position: 5
Name: Dustin Ray-Wilks
Degree: Recreation and Health Education (RHeD)
Current position: Community Recreation Coordinator, Adult Programs
Current employer: Panorama Recreation (Part of the CRD)
Number of years in position: 1.5
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Recreation Assistant, Aquatic Programmer, Aquatic Coordinator
Name: Dr. Kavan Yu
Degrees: BSc Kin 2006 – UVic; DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) 2010 - Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College
Current position: Chiropractor
Current employer: Frackson Health Care
Number of years in this position: 1.5
Name: Cynthia Gyuk
Degrees: Bachelor of Social Work degree, 1998
Current position: Senior Sales Representative, Cardiovascular Metabolic
Current employer: Merck Canada Inc.
Number of years in this position: 9.5
Other related employment/information since completing degree: For 5 years after completing my BSW degree, I worked as a counselor for families, youth and women in the Kelowna community before moving to Victoria in 2001.
Name: John Forbes
Degree(s) and year: Undergraduate, Engineering – (“89) Switch to Computer Technology (“93)
Current position: Manager, Platform and Integration Services
Current employer: Vancouver Island Health Authority
Number of years in position: 4
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Worked for health services in various capacities since graduation, starting as a Systems Analyst for CRD Health, though amalgamation of the health services to the Capital Health Region accepted a role as a Business Analyst supporting various projects upgrading or deploying clinical solutions for the region. When the Capital Health Region further consolidated into the Vancouver Island Health Authority accepted a role training into the role of Database Administrator for the region supporting the corporate integrated clinical system, Cerner. Achieved increasingly key roles within the program ultimately to the role I am currently in. I am responsible for teams that include, all DBA’s supporting databases, The Integration/Interfaces team, Development and Platforms, including SharePoint.
What can you do with your degree in Political Science?
What can you do with your degree in Political Science?
Find out on January 31 at 6:00pm in the University Club (Fireside Lounge)
Come hear from a panel of UVic political science grads about how they transitioned into their current careers.
Have you considered the Green Building Industry?
Green building depends on policymakers, city planners, public educators and business support. Find out how you can get involved in this fast-growing industry.
At this session, you'll:
• Connect with industry professionals
• Discover how your degree relates to this field
• Get meaningful advice about your career plans
WHEN: Weds, Feb. 1 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: Social Sciences and MathBuilding A110
Visit http://learninginmotion.uvic.ca to sign up for this and other "What can you do with your degree?" sessions.
PANELIST INFO:
Name: Jennifer Iredale
Degrees and year: Master of Science in Historic Preservation, Columbia University, New York 1984; Bachelor of Arts in History, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, 1980
Current position: Director, Heritage Branch, Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations
Current employer: Government of BC
Number of years in position: 2.5
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Senior Curator – Heritage Branch, Prov. of BC (2004 – 2009); Curator, Coastal Okanagan Region, Heritage Branch, Prov. of BC (1989 –2003); Sessional Lecturer; University of Victoria, Cultural Resource Management Program, “Introduction to Heritage Conservation”, 1991/92; Curator, Barkerville Historic Town, Heritage Conservation Branch, Prov. of BC (1985 – 1989.)
Name: Brian Cockburn
Degree and year: B.Eng - Mechanical Engineering, 2008
Current position: Engineer in Training
Current employer: Avalon Mechanical Consultants
Number of years in position: 1.5
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Chair of Emerging Green Builders Victoria since 2010
Name: Jarret Matanowitsch
Degree(s) and year: Bachelor of Environmental Studies, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Waterloo, 2000; Master of Public Administration, University of Victoria, 2005
Current position: Acting Assistant Director, Planning and Development Department
Current employer: City of Victoria
Number of years in position: 4 years as Planner at City of Victoria. 10 Years Practicing Professional Planner
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Member of Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP); Member of Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC); Have worked in the pubic and private sector as a Planner
Name: Caelieh Bell
Degree(s) and year: Bachelor of Commerce, graduated from UVic in 2006
Current position: Project Officer
Current employer: Facilities Management, UVic
Number of years in position: 2 years and 3 months
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Worked as Project Coordinator for Eric Barker Architect for 2 years; Worked as Development Assistant for Accommodation and Real Estate Services for 2 years; Completed my LEED Accreditation while working for ARES.
Have you considered a career working in government?
What can you do with your degree? Have you considered a career working in government?
With opportunities with provincial, federal and municipal offices, plus crown corporations and more, government work is diverse.
At this session, you’ll:
• Connect with industry professionals
• Discover how your degree relates to this field
• Get meaningful advice about your career plans
WHEN: Thursday, Feb 2 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: MacLaurin D116
Visit http://learninginmotion.uvic.ca to sign up for this and other “What can you do with your degree?” sessions.
PANEL INFO:
Name: Margot Cutcher
Degree and year: BA in Political Science and Masters in Public Administration
Current position: Workforce Business Manager
Current employer: Department of National Defence – West Coast Navy
Number of years in position: 3
Other related employment/information since completing degree: I started as a co-op student in Ottawa at Environment Canada in Ottawa in 1994 and was bridged into a permanent position. I’ve had many positions in the federal government since then such as program evaluation research officer, management consultant, IT Business manager, and finance officer.
Name: Paul Butterfield
Degree(s) and year: Bachelor of Science - Geography 1993; Diploma of Technology - Civil Engineering, 1998
Current position: Senior Engineering Technician - Transportation Planning & Operations
Current employer: District of Saanich
Number of years in position: 7 years
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Owned consulting business "Adept Transportation Solutions" between 2000-2005. I have worked at all levels of government as well as the private sector. Interestingly, I did not find a job after my degree (did not take co-op) so I went back to school (Camosun) and chose co-op. I had a job before I was finished (but did finish) my diploma. I am a strong advocate of co-op employment.
There are two career related activities I enjoy: First, I founded the Swan Lake Toastmasters club at Saanich, of which I am an executive. It is a pleasure to watch people advance in the club to become more confident as a communicator and leader in both business and personal affairs. Second, I made a pledge to visit every park in Saanich (only 20 of 149 to go) in order to find a way to present the parks to those that can not visit them in person. www.hikeeverypark.blogspot.com I say this is career related because it, like Toastmasters, develops your skills as a leader, initiative taker, project manager, etc.
Name:Sean Holman
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Has served as the legislative bureau chief for 24 hours, Vancouver's best-read commuter newspaper, and currently hosts “Public Eye Radio” on CFAX 1070. Before becoming a journalist, he served as a communications advisor under both the New Democrat and Liberal governments. Director of Professional Writing & Sessional Instructor (B.A., UVic)
Name: Robert Woodland
Degree(s) and year:
BA (1994); MPA (2000)
Director, Legislative & Regulatory Services
City of Victoria
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Senior Certificate, Local Government Administration (2005)
Have you considered a career in communications?
From public relations to fundraising and event planning, a career in communications is different everyday. It includes opportunities within corporations, non-profits, and government, and more.
At this session, you'll:
• Connect with industry professionals
• Discover how your degree relates to this field
• Get meaningful advice about yourcareer plans
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb 7 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: Cornett A221
Visit http://learninginmotion.uvic.ca to sign up for this and other "What can you do with your degree?" sessions.
PANEL INFO:
Name: Chris Gudgeon
Degree(s) and year: BA Eng. 1981
Current position: Author, Screenwriter, Communications Manager, BC Arts Council
Current employer: BC Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
Number of years in position: 3
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Chris has numerous film and TV credits, and has written 17 books, ranging from critically acclaimed fiction like Greetings from the Vodka Sea, to celebrated biographies of Stan Rogers and Milton Acorn, to a range of popular history including Consider the Fish and The Naked Truth: the Untold History of Sex and Sexuality in Canada. Chris also has a strong background in interactive, and has created and produced more than a dozen digital projects, working with companies like Disney Creative Wonders, Mattel Interactive, Leapfrog and CCI.
Name: Kerry Slavens
Degree and year: 1988, B.A., University of Victoria Writing Department
Current position: Editor, YAM (You and ME :: Living Smart) magazine
Current employer: Page One Publishing Ltd.
Number of years in position: Eight months
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Previous to becoming editor of YAM, I was co-owner and creative director of Artemis PR & Design, an award-winning public relations and design firm located in Victoria. Artemis was a leader in Victoria's communications industry for 15 years, delivering campaigns for the federal and provincial government, and the technology, real estate, social services, and health sectors. I began my career in journalism working on community newspapers before becoming editor of Focus on Women magazine. I have worked in almost every aspect of the communications industry, from book publishing to editing a magazine-style blog (one of the top 10 per cent of blogs in North America, according to Quantcast, and winner of multiple Canadian Weblog awards). I am a published poet, just completing my first novel.
Name: Jennifer Cook
Degree and year: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) – Visual Arts
Current position: Communications and Event Coordinator
Current employer: Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Number of years in position: 1.5 years
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Coordinator for Victoria Bike to Work Society (Organizers of annual community event: Bike to Work Week), Project Support for Ministry of Children and Family Development (Child and Youth Mental Health), Graphic Design & Consulting Freelance.
Name: Luticia (Tish) Hill
Degree(s) and year: Bachelor of Science, Health Information Science 1993
Current position: Entrepreneur
Other related employment/information since completing degree: Was General Manager with UsedEverywhere.com (Black Press Group Ltd.). Pioneer in using social commerce to establish compelling social media solutions for marketing goods and services.
Career: 
