Career support for alumni--beyond graduation

Did you know that alumni have access to ongoing career development support from UVic, even after you graduate? Check in with us whenever you need us! Contact careers@uvic.ca if you have any questions.

Meet your career coach

As a UVic alum, you can access career development support whenever you need it—at any stage of your career.

Kerry is the alumni career educator and brings over 20 years of dedicated experience in career development and academic planning.

Book a one-on-one appointment with Kerry

Search and apply for jobs

Looking for your next career move? You can access this career development support whenever you need it:

Explore career options

Not sure what comes next? These resources can help you assess your strengths, explore career possibilities, and plan next steps with confidence and clarity.

O’Net: Discover your work-related interests and explore career options that are a good fit for you.
Career Explorer: Take this free test to discover your top careers and detailed personality traits using advanced machine learning, psychometrics, and cutting-edge science.
Your Career Starts Here - Alumni Edition: an alumni version of UVic's career preparation course (coming soon)
Labour market Information

How to network

Networking is the practice of building genuine professional relationships that help you exchange information, learn about career paths, and discover new opportunities. It can be as simple as connecting with alumni on LinkedIn, attending events, having brief informational chats, or staying in touch with people you’ve worked or studied with.

How to Start Networking: Step‑by‑Step

Clarify your goals: Identify what you want to learn—career paths, industry insights, or job options.
Update your LinkedIn profile: Add a photo, summary, experience, and interests so new connections know who you are.
Start with people you already know: Reconnect with classmates, coworkers, instructors, and supervisors.
Reach out to alumni: Send a short, polite message asking for advice or a brief conversation—not a job.
Request a quick informational chat: 15–20 minutes to ask about their role, career path, and recommendations.
Attend events and join communities: Industry meetups, webinars, conferences, or professional associations.
Follow up and stay in touch: Send a thank‑you, share updates, or reconnect every few months to keep the relationship warm.

LinkedIn is a professional online platform where people showcase their experience, connect with others in their field, and build relationships that support networking, career growth, and new opportunities.

Informational interviews

An informational interview is a short, low‑pressure conversation with someone working in a field or role of interest to learn about their career path, gather insights, and explore whether the work is a good fit for your goals.

Join the alumni network

Update your contact info to receive event invites and special announcements, alumni monthly e-newsletter and alumni Torch magazine and opportunities for career support.

Self-serve resources

Catch up on our webinars

We've run a series of webinars, online panels and workshops to support you in your work search. Check out the following recordings of these sessions for tips and guidance.

Insider Advice to Level Up Your Career

Navigating the job market can be tough, but gaining insights from industry experts can give you a distinct advantage. Join us for a virtual panel where HR professionals and hiring managers will share tips on the latest hiring trends, crafting standout resumes, acing interviews and understanding what employers seek in candidates.

The AI Advantage: Smarter Job Hunting for UVic Alumni

Curious about how AI can support your job search but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly webinar is designed for UVic grads who are new to using AI tools.

Navigating Careers with Confidence

A virtual panel featuring UVic alumni with disabilities who are breaking barriers in the workplace. Hear their stories, gain insights into inclusive career journeys and bring your questions for a dynamic discussion open to students, alumni and community members.

Balancing Work & Wellness: Mental Health Tools for Job Seekers and Employees

Job searching and workplace transitions can be stressful—this workshop offers practical tools to support your mental well-being while navigating career challenges. Join us online with special guest Dawn Schell, Manager, Mental Health Outreach & Training at the University of Victoria, learn strategies to stay grounded, build resilience and care for yourself throughout your career journey.

Ask a Career Expert: Kerry's tips

Check out Kerry's tips on topics like:

Where to start on your job search
How to build your professional network
How to answer the interview question, "Tell me about yourself"
Should you send a follow-up email after an interview
What should you ask interviews at the end of an interview

Listen to Work It: a Career Exploration podcast (produced by UVic Co-op and Career)

Our podcast series features alumni sharing their career trajectories, plus targeted advice from our career educator team.

Upskilling & Professional Development (Micro-credentials and certificates)

Micro‑credentials are short, targeted learning experiences that teach specific, in‑demand skills, allowing you to quickly gain employer‑recognized, verifiable competencies that support career growth and advancement.

Skills for Jobs Canada:A federal‑level portal offering 3,000+ short, affordable, flexible upskilling and reskilling programs across Canada. Includes industry‑specific learning paths and free micro‑courses.
EducationPlannerBC – BC Micro‑credentials Directory: A searchable directory of 250+ micro‑credentials in B.C. across tech, business, health care, and more.
UVic Continuing Studies: Discover nearly 50 short, flexible micro‑credential programs designed to help you upskill or reskill quickly with employer‑aligned, career‑developing skills—offered across fields like business, technology, health, culture, and more.