How Will Your Career Fare Post-COVID-19?

With so much uncertainty in today’s job market, it’s critical that we channel whatever energy we have towards the right sort of change — especially when it serves our health and our careers.

If the pandemic has given us anything remotely positive, it’s more time and new technological advancements in how we communicate, and learn.

“What we are hearing from alumni is certainly a mixture of fear and career uncertainty,” says Carol Wert, associate director, UCalgary Alumni Career Development. “Which is why we’ve moved all our career coaching sessions online and designed new programs to better answer the new demands and critical needs in today’s labour force.”

How all of us will emerge from the strain of lockdown remains to be seen but until then, “use this time to reflect and take stock of your career and try to move forward in a positive way,” suggests Wert.

Here’s what’s on the roster for UCalgary Alumni’s revamped career program that, for the next couple of months, is being delivered virtually:

• May 14: Join empowerment coach Marco Iafrate, MA’18, in a noon-hour webinar dubbed Rising to the Challenge: Navigating Life and Career with Resilience, Resolve and Empowerment. From self-care and finding gratitude during difficult times to seeing problems as opportunities — you may just witness a personal shift in your outlook.
• May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15: Brand new is our inaugural Virtual Career Club — a comprehensive four-part online workshop series facilitated by alumnus and professional career coach, Brian Palmer, BComm’06. “Consider this package of four sessions as an accelerated coaching experience that condenses and supercharges a typical three- to six-month program into four weeks,” explains Palmer. Employing the latest findings, strategies and tips into a workshop format, all four sessions have interactive components, practical references and time for individual feedback. Here’s a snapshot of the program — Session One: How to Plan and Map your Career; Session Two: Resumes and Applications; Session Three: Interview Strategies: Session Four: Networking.
• June 10: Calgary in a Changing Economy is another noon-hour webinar, led by Court Ellingson, BComm’94, vice-president, strategy, Calgary Economic Development. Whether you’re feeling the pain as a small-business owner, a laid-off employee or are transitioning between jobs, Ellingson will provide relevant and timely insight into Calgary’s economy.
• June 22: Conversations with a Career Coach is back at noon, in a virtual open forum format showcasing a Q & A, via Zoom. This monthly program is the perfect opportunity for you to share questions and, in return, get advice, tips and resources from our resident career coaches.

“Career development is such a vital part of our lives,” adds Wert. “Between the pandemic and the drastic drop in oil prices, our community is experiencing unprecedented economic contractions which is resulting in a lot of uncertainty and pain.

“Our career programs are all free and designed to equip you with new tools and, we hope, optimism for our future. All you need is a computer to join.”