Career Link is a free, opt-in co-curricular certificate program that students in any degree program and year of studies can enroll in.
Built on current research on what employers are seeking and partnership with community organizations, the program allows students to build high-demand skills that are relevant in the Northern Ontario Labour market and beyond.
The modular, self-paced structure of the program allows for flexibility in accessing resources and supports that fit individual needs and goals. Upon registering in a “Career Link Cohort” at the beginning of each Fall semester, students will be guided through all components of the program and will have one year to participate in the workshops, events, professional development modules and advising sessions to complete the program. While some components and events will be offered live (scheduled at a specific time), most program components can be accessed and completed at any time and in almost any order.
Upon completion of all six components of the program, students earn a non-credit Career Link Certificate that is awarded at convocation and noted on the student’s academic transcript.
WHY TAKE CAREER LINK?
Develop the tools, skills, and network that will be a real advantage in today’s competitive labor market
Access our free professional clothing service and get a professional headshot for the LinkedIn profile
Receive personalized support in developing the resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile
Participate in job shadowing
Have unlimited access to our workshops, events and resources
Earn digital badges for all modules completed and a non-credit co-curricular Career Link Certificate upon the completion of the full program
Program Component 1
Self-marketing Foundations
In today’s competitive job market, a generic resume and cover letter will not make the cut. A professionally crafted self-marketing tool kit that includes a custom-developed resume and cover letter, in addition to active engagement on LinkedIn will catch employers’ attention. All Career Link students receive individualized support including feedback on their portfolio and one-on-one meeting with the Career Link Navigator.
Program Component 2
Professional Networking
With as much as 80% of jobs fulfilled through personal connections, success in job search is often an outcome of smart and very active networking. Building connections through professional platforms such as Ten Thousand Coffees and LinkedIn is very much part of career exploration and development at any stage. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to expand the range of possibilities and build much needed social capital. Students in Career Link will learn how to build professional profiles and leverage on the features of these platforms and activities to expand their network.
Program Component 3
Design Your Life
Feeling lost in your career exploration or curious about exploring possibilities beyond your “Big plan”? This life design and career exploration workshop series uses principles and tools used by designers to explore creative solutions to hard-to-solve and frustrating problems. In two, highly interactive sessions students are guided to approach career exploration in new ways that align with their own personality, skills, values and interests, and lead to action steps that ultimately help the person become “unstuck”.
Program Component 4
Job Shadowing
Excited or unsure about what working in a specific field would be like? If you had a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with an employer or professional working in that field, what would you ask of them? Career Link makes this possible for all qualifying Career Link students by setting up a half-day job shadowing event with a host of their choice. All Career Link students can access this service upon submitting their professionally crafted resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile and their application.
Program Component 5
Work Component
While Career Link does not directly facilitate or provide student work placement, we guide our students to opportunities at the University and the community. Students who participate in the Career Link program can and often participate in internship opportunities and co-op placements offered through the Experiential Learning department. Some Career Link students take WIL-designated courses or work on or off campus. We direct every Career Link student to complete a one-semester long Full-time or Part-time work experience that gives them the practical experience and career insights that positively impact their employability.
Program Component 6
Career Conference
Open to all students at Algoma University, our annual Career Conference, offered in the Winter semester will showcase students’ accomplishments and successes in experiential learning, enhance opportunities for career preparation, introduce students to employers in the area and help develop skills for teamwork as well as health and wellness. Students need to preregister. Date and time are coming soon.
While as a certificate student you can participate in some of the events organized through Career Link, this program is for degree students only, as the certificate programs do not allow for one term work component to be completed while in school.
Yes! If you are a degree student, either domestic or international, you have access to all the resources and support we offer through Career Link.
No. All our programming is offered virtually at this time and we welcome students from all campuses to join.
Yes! You can take as much or as little as you wish or can. The completion of each individual module will help you obtain a digital badge that you can add to your LinkedIn profile and you can earn as many as five individual badges.
No. There are no assignments, but you will be required to complete specific tasks (resume, cover letter, professional profile setup, specific training modules, etc.) and activities that are part of the professional development experience.
You can simply submit your application through the Registration form linked at the top of this page and you will receive an email from the Career Link Navigator. Once accepted in the Program, you will be given access to the Career Link Moodle site that provides you access to all required information and resources and you will also receive a weekly newsletter, Career Link Weekly that keeps you informed on upcoming events, activities and even job advertisements.
Our Partners
Career Link is run through the Experiential Learning Hub (EL Hub). The program components are a collaboration between many Algoma University departments as well as the surrounding community.
Career Link is funded through the generous support of RBC FutureLaunch.
Experiential Learning
To learn more about experiential learning and upcoming workshops, visit our Experiential Learning page.