This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember your browser. We use this information to improve and customize your browsing experience, for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media, and for marketing purposes. By using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by UVic’s Terms of Use for web and social media privacy.  If you do not agree to the above, you can configure your browser’s setting to “do not track.”

Skip to main content
People Departments Maps Buildings Rooms A-Z
University
of Victoria
Apply Library
Sign in Online tools Sign out
Co-operative Education

Yunhui Ye (political science)

A student stands in front of a sign saying Student Wellness Centre.

When Yunhui Ye (she/her) was applying for co-op positions as part of her political science PhD, she felt like she was hitting a wall. After applying non-stop in two different terms and not booking any interviews, she decided to turn to her career educators for support.

Fine-tuning applications

“I booked appointments with the Social Science Career Educator Darcie, as well as the Graduate Career Educator Samantha, and the Accessibility and Inclusion Co-op Coordinator, Neils. My goal was to get feedback on my résumé and cover letter to improve my chances of securing an interview invitation.”

Yunhui’s conversations with the Career Services team helped encourage her and gave her a sense of direction. “It was exciting to discover how many things I could do to strengthen my application materials.”

Connecting with Career Services

She also learned how to leverage Career Services for ongoing growth and opportunity. “A career appointment is not a one-time solution,” she says. “Rather, it is a starting point from which you can continue to improve.”

After each appointment, Yunhui revised her résumé and cover letter based on the feedback she received and then met with her team again for further guidance. Beyond improving her application materials, she also learned different strategies for approaching job postings and exploring future career paths as a PhD student.

Seeing an impact

As a result of this work, Yunhui received her first interview invitation and ultimately a job offer. “Most importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of who I am, what I have accomplished, what I can contribute, and how to effectively communicate those strengths to employers.”

“The conversations with the Career Services team transformed me profoundly. Through their thoughtful questions and written feedback, I reconnected with my core values, dug into my past experiences like a treasure hunt, and identified the brightest and most relevant parts of myself to align with employers’ needs. Without their support, I would not have seen myself taking those steps. Ultimately, the experience helped me better understand where I fit in society and how I can contribute to it.”

The value of seeking support

As she completes her PhD, Yunhui hopes to apply her research skills in roles that reduce barriers, improve wellbeing, and advance social justice. She encourages her fellow students to connect with Career Services as part of their time at UVic.

“Seek help early and follow up—there is no need to do it alone. You never know what you might gain from a conversation with Career Services. I do not think there is any single action that leads directly to a job offer. It is the entire process of interacting with experienced people from diverse backgrounds that sparks new ideas and creates new opportunities, nudging you step by step toward your goal.”

Learn more