Final Exams
Part 1: Detailed discussion of guest speakers, workshops, and readings
The big ideas of the course
Before dividing everything into sections, it helps to know the main themes of the course. Across the lectures, workshops, and readings, the course kept returning to a few major ideas:
1. Career paths are not linear.
The course repeatedly showed that careers do not move in one straight line from degree to one perfect job. Instead, careers change with opportunities, setbacks, networking, volunteering, internships, and personal growth. This idea appears strongly in the career-planning materials, planned happenstance/job search materials, and in several guest speakers’ journeys.
2. Transferable skills matter a lot.
The course taught that communication, professionalism, adaptability, writing, teamwork, leadership, problem solving, and emotional intelligence often matter just as much as technical knowledge. Many employers are looking closely at soft skills(non-technical, interpersonal, and behavioral traits that shape how you work, interact with others, and solve problems), especially because job tasks and technology are always changing.
3. Experience can come from many places.
Paid jobs are not the only source of useful experience. Volunteering, student leadership, internships, community work, clubs, research, and projects all build skills and networks. This was emphasized in the VIP-CSL information and in the readings on volunteering and nonprofit work.
4. Networking is essential.
The course did not present networking as fake or manipulative. It presented it as relationship-building, learning, asking questions, and connecting with people who can help you understand a field. It also showed that many jobs are hidden and filled through people, not just postings.
5. Professional identity matters.
How you present yourself matters. Your resume, cover letter, interview style, LinkedIn, social media, references, professionalism at work, and communication habits all shape your reputation.
Section A: Workshops
1. Career Planning workshop
What it talked about
The Career Planning workshop explained that career planning is not a one-time choice. It is a lifelong process. The material focused on:
self-assessment
interests, values, skills, and personality
career exploration
skill development
marketing yourself
job search strategies
It also introduced reverse career planning, meaning you start with the future you want and work backward to decide the smaller steps needed to get there. It also connected to the idea of planned happenstance, meaning chance opportunities matter, but you can prepare yourself to benefit from them(create opportunities by taking proactive actions, curiosity, and embracing unplanned events rather than relying on a rigid career plan).
Why this matters for your future
This workshop is important because it teaches you not to panic if your future is not perfectly clear. It shows that you do not need to know every step right away. You just need to know:
what matters to you
what skills you already have
what gaps you need to work on
how to stay flexible
How this helps with future challenges
In the future, you may feel lost, compare yourself to others, or feel like your plan is changing. This workshop helps because it gives you a structure. If something changes, you can reassess yourself and your options instead of feeling like you failed.
Readings connected to it
The Week 1 readings on soft skills versus hard skills support this workshop very strongly. The APA reading and the EdgePoint reading help explain that technical skills matter, but employers also care about communication, teamwork, problem solving, and attitude. Jared Lindzon’s article also shows that recruiters are looking more closely at soft skills because hard skills can become outdated more quickly.
2. Networking workshop
What it talked about
The networking workshop explained that networking is about building relationships and learning from others, not just asking for jobs. It taught students:
why networking matters
where networking happens
how to start networking
how to ask good questions
how to do informational interviews
how to use LinkedIn and alumni connections
It also stressed that networking can lead to information, referrals, hidden opportunities, and stronger confidence.
Why this matters for your future
This is one of the most useful workshop topics because many good jobs are not publicly advertised. Networking helps you:
understand a field better
meet people in the industry
learn how others got where they are
hear about opportunities earlier
become more memorable
How this helps with future challenges
A common future challenge is applying online and hearing nothing back. Networking gives you another path. It also helps when you are unsure about a career and want real insight from people already working in it.
Readings connected to it
The networking readings support this directly. Nina Dragicevic’s article explains that networking takes time, persistence, and professionalism, and that it should be intentional and based on genuine relationships, not just numbers. Emily Latimer’s article also shows that online outreach, personalized messages, and sharing your work can all be forms of networking.
3. Resume and cover letter workshop
What it talked about
This workshop focused on how resumes and cover letters help market you professionally. It likely emphasized:
avoiding common resume mistakes
tailoring the resume
making skills and accomplishments visible
using strong, relevant language
writing cover letters that feel targeted and purposeful
The job search workshop also reinforces that applications should be tailored, research-based, and connected to your brand.
Why this matters for your future
Your resume is often your first impression. It can open the door to an interview or close it. Learning how to write it well is a basic but essential career skill.
How this helps with future challenges
This helps you deal with:
getting screened out too early
not knowing how to explain your experience
struggling to connect school, volunteer work, and internships to real job skills
Readings connected to it
The Week 4 readings show different sides of resume writing:
the Business Insider piece on the “perfect resume” supports structure, relevance, and clear presentation
the cover letter article supports grabbing employer attention and showing fit
the Derous and Ryan article is especially important because it shows resumes are not always judged fairly. It explains that resume screening can be affected by ethnic bias, stereotypes, and social cues, not just qualifications. It also discusses how anonymization, standardization, and accountability may help reduce bias.
This reading is very important for essays because it adds a critical perspective: the hiring process is not always neutral.
4. Interview workshop
What it talked about
The interview workshop by Yvonne Currie was very detailed. It covered:
research before the interview
matching your skills to the job
preparing stories and examples
question types: traditional, behavioural, situational, technical, unconventional
STAR method
professional appearance
body language and tone
asking questions at the end
thank-you emails after the interview
It emphasized that one of the biggest interview mistakes is failing to research the employer.
Why this matters for your future
Many students have strong skills but do not know how to communicate them in an interview. This workshop helps turn your experiences into strong, clear answers.
How this helps with future challenges
It helps with:
interview anxiety
not knowing how to answer “tell me about yourself”
weakness questions
behavioural questions
virtual interviews
not knowing what to ask employers
Readings connected to it
The Week 5 and 6 readings supported interview preparation:
interview skills articles stressed preparation, confidence, examples, and body language
the phone interview reading stressed preparation, listening, notes, and follow-up in non-face-to-face interviews
the references article is also important because it reminds students that references are part of your personal marketing plan and should be chosen, prepared, and informed carefully.
5. LinkedIn and social media workshop
What it talked about
Stephanie Dupley’s workshop explained that employers search candidates online and that social media can help or hurt your job search. She focused on:
personal brand
Google/searchability
professional vs personal accounts
LinkedIn for networking and job search
becoming memorable online
informational interviews
making it known when you are job searching
building an effective LinkedIn profile
Why this matters for your future
This matters because employers do not only judge you from a resume. Your online identity is now part of employability.
How this helps with future challenges
It helps you:
avoid online mistakes that hurt opportunities
build a visible professional profile
use LinkedIn as a networking tool
present yourself in a more intentional way
Readings connected to it
The social media and layoff-related readings connect here. Gus Carlson’s article shows that public emotional posting about jobs or layoffs can hurt future opportunities, especially when employers pay attention to social media behaviour.
6. Job Search Strategies workshop
What it talked about
This workshop explained that an effective job search requires:
good documents
research
networking
brand awareness
knowing where to look
tailored applications
tracking your activity
job scam awareness
It also introduced the idea that jobs are often filled from the inside out: internal movement, word of mouth, contacts, and referrals may matter more than public postings.
Why this matters for your future
It teaches that job searching is not random. It should be strategic.
How this helps with future challenges
This helps with:
burnout from mass applying
missing hidden opportunities
not knowing where to search
getting scammed
losing hope
Readings connected to it
The AI arms race reading is especially useful here. It explains that AI has turned recruiting into a frustrating process where job seekers use AI to apply in huge numbers, and employers use AI to screen huge numbers, creating mistrust on both sides. It argues that authentic applications, human judgment, and networking are even more important now.
7. Life in the Workplace workshop
What it talked about
This workshop focused on professionalism and the transition from student to worker. It covered:
punctuality
communication
attire and grooming
asking questions
accountability
teamwork
conflict
digital professionalism
diversity and respect
work-life balance
growth and development
Why this matters for your future
Getting hired is not enough. You also need to keep the job, grow in it, and build a reputation.
How this helps with future challenges
It helps with:
adjusting to workplace expectations
making a good impression
knowing how to behave professionally
dealing with mistakes
managing workplace relationships
avoiding burnout
Readings connected to it
Several Week 12 readings connect well:
Candy Ho argues people should develop a career mindset, not just a job mindset, and that careers should be flexible and regularly reassessed
the “shift shock” reading explains how people can feel regret when the real job does not match what they were promised, and shows why good communication, onboarding, and expectation-setting matter
the retirement and work-life readings remind students that career decisions connect to long-term life planning, not just the next job.
Section B: Guest speakers
I’ll divide these by the main lesson they bring to the course. For some speakers, I have full slide details. For others, your notes give the main topic and career background, so I’ll stay grounded in that.
1. Tashlyn Teskey
What she spoke about
Tashlyn Teskey’s presentation focused on her career path, the importance of experiential learning, and how she turned education and internship experience into employment. Her slides emphasized:
building experience on purpose
taking opportunities seriously
being adaptable
learning from the work around you
showing initiative
paying attention to deadlines, tasks, and workplace expectations
Advantages to you in your future career
Her talk teaches that you do not need a perfect beginning to build a good career. You can start with:
internships
placements
part-time work
volunteering
support roles
The key is how you learn and grow in those roles.
How this prepares you for future challenges
If you feel inexperienced, her talk reminds you that experience can be built. If you feel like you are “just starting,” her talk helps you see that small opportunities can lead to bigger ones.
2. Jane Sylvester / VIP-CSL
What she spoke about
Jane explained the VIP-Community Service Learning program as structured volunteer experience plus professional development. It gives students:
work experience
networking opportunities
resume-building experience
reflective learning
confidence
transcript recognition
Advantages to you in your future career
Her session teaches that volunteer experience is not “less than” paid work. It can be real, valuable, career-relevant experience.
How this prepares you for future challenges
This helps with the common problem of “you need experience to get experience.” VIP gives you a way to build that.
3. Jonathan Nehmatalah, Neil Buhne, Howard Whittaker
What they spoke about
From your notes, Week 2 focused on networking and on career paths in law, international relations, the United Nations, sport organizations, entrepreneurship, communications, and charitable leadership. Your notes show that these speakers came from very different professional routes but all had strong political/international/public-facing backgrounds.
Advantages to you in your future career
These speakers are useful because they show that a degree can lead to:
law
global institutions
sport organizations
marketing
nonprofit leadership
communications
foundation work
How this prepares you for future challenges
It prepares you for the idea that your degree does not trap you in one narrow lane. It can open many doors if you build skills and connections.
4. Joyce Zuk and Kaitlyn Ellsworth
What they spoke about
Your notes frame Week 3 around nonprofit work, student support, and academic/career development. Joyce Zuk’s role as Executive Director of Family Services Windsor-Essex County points to leadership in community service and nonprofit work. Kaitlyn Ellsworth’s role as Black Student Support Coordinator highlights student support, equity, and personal/career development.
Advantages to you in your future career
Their value is in showing that careers can be built around:
helping people
social services
equity work
student support
community leadership
How this prepares you for future challenges
They help prepare you for work that requires empathy, community awareness, communication, and equity-minded thinking.
The Week 3 readings strongly support this. The communication article shows why communication is essential. The volunteering and nonprofit readings show how nonprofit work builds skills, networks, leadership, and purpose.
5. Joanna Sweet and Katherine Donaldson
What they spoke about
Your notes describe Joanna Sweet as someone who combined law, political science, research, and teaching. Katherine Donaldson’s path shows how a graduate internship turned into long-term municipal policy work.
Advantages to you in your future career
These speakers show:
graduate education can lead to many things
internships can become permanent employment
research and writing can be career strengths
law and policy can connect
How this prepares you for future challenges
They help you see that advanced study and applied work do not have to be separate. They can support each other.
6. Erik Stenlund and Colton Allan
What they spoke about
Your notes describe Erik Stenlund as a Senior Policy Advisor who worked in trade negotiations and the federal government, and Colton Allan as a lawyer with strong student involvement and law/politics background.
Advantages to you in your future career
These speakers show that politics, law, public policy, and government work are realistic outcomes when students:
build strong academic foundations
seek internships
get involved
learn how policy and law work in practice
How this prepares you for future challenges
They prepare you for careers that are complex, competitive, and require long-term planning, but also show that these careers are built step by step.
7. Tatiana Dafoe
What she spoke about
Tatiana Dafoe’s slides showed her path from graduate student and intern to municipal clerk leadership. She explained what a municipal clerk does and highlighted the main skills needed:
critical thinking
empathy
written and verbal communication
collaboration
research
customer service
She also gave practical lessons:
say yes to opportunities
apply even if you are not a perfect match
keep learning
practice interview skills
failure is feedback
know your strengths
do not compare your journey to others
Advantages to you in your future career
Her talk shows that public-sector careers can be stable, meaningful, and community-focused.
How this prepares you for future challenges
It helps with fear of failure, fear of being unqualified, and comparing yourself to others.
8. Katrina Bahnam and Alma Alao
What they spoke about
Your notes frame Katrina Bahnam as a lawyer working in multiple legal areas and Alma Alao as a program coordinator with innovation and entrepreneurship experience.
Advantages to you in your future career
Together, they show that students can move into:
law
business
innovation
startup or ecosystem work
public-facing professional roles
How this prepares you for future challenges
They show that skills such as adaptability, initiative, and curiosity matter across many sectors.
9. Sarah Cipkar
What she spoke about
Sarah’s presentation clearly focused on a non-linear career built around community development, education, housing, planning, politics, and entrepreneurship. Her central message was contributing to positive systemic change through research, advocacy, and policy creation. She also gave strong advice:
ask what work you want to do in the world
ask what kind of life you want
find a problem and work on it
be curious
trust the process, not your emotions
Advantages to you in your future career
Her talk helps you see that careers can connect different passions into one larger purpose.
How this prepares you for future challenges
It helps if you ever worry that your interests are “too mixed.” Her career shows mixed interests can become a strength.
10. Edward Dawson and Richard Nonso
What they spoke about
Your notes show that Week 9 focused on agency work, innovation, technical training, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and underrepresented youth in tech.
Advantages to you in your future career
These speakers show that modern careers may involve:
innovation
public-private partnerships
emerging industries
technology
community development
How this prepares you for future challenges
They prepare you for a labour market that is changing fast and may require both technical awareness and relationship-building.
11. Shawn Taylor
What he spoke about
Your notes say Shawn Taylor spoke about career development within large organizations.
Advantages to you in your future career
His session likely helped students see that careers can grow inside one organization through internal mobility, leadership, and operations experience.
How this prepares you for future challenges
It helps you understand that success is not always about jumping from company to company. Sometimes growth happens by learning deeply within one place.
12. Kimberley Medeiros, Kieran Mackenzie, Christina Vacheresse
What they spoke about
This week clearly connected community, government, leadership, and municipal work.
Christina Vacheresse’s slides are especially detailed. She explained her move from frontline roles into executive support, policy, and coordination work. She emphasized:
strong writing
attention to detail
organization
reliability
communication
intentional skill development
Advantages to you in your future career
This is valuable because it shows that small roles still matter and can lead to more advanced positions.
How this prepares you for future challenges
It helps you take early jobs seriously and recognize that transferable skills are already being built.
13. Lori Atkinson
What she spoke about
Lori Atkinson’s talk brought together leadership, purpose, confidence, learning, relationships, mentorship, accountability, public speaking, and resilience. She said students should:
ask for help
do informational interviews
be curious
volunteer
build genuine relationships
think like an entrepreneur
commit to lifelong learning
remember that many different careers across a lifetime are normal
Advantages to you in your future career
Her talk is powerful because it teaches that success is not only about money or title. It is about purpose, relationships, growth, and long-term thinking.
How this prepares you for future challenges
It helps with uncertainty, job change, confidence issues, and the pressure to have everything figured out early.
Section C: Readings by week/theme
Instead of listing every reading one by one with tiny notes, the better way is to group them by the ideas they support.
Soft skills, communication, and employability
These readings support the idea that employers want more than credentials. They want communication, maturity, adaptability, values, and problem solving. This connects with the Career Planning workshop, Life in the Workplace workshop, and many speakers.
Networking and hidden opportunities
These readings show that networking takes persistence and genuine effort, and that job seekers should use conversations to learn, not just ask for jobs. They support the networking and LinkedIn workshops.
Nonprofit work, volunteering, community, and purpose
These readings show that volunteering and nonprofit work can build skills, leadership, networks, purpose, and employability. They connect strongly to Joyce Zuk, VIP-CSL, Kaitlyn Ellsworth, and Sarah Cipkar.
Resume, cover letter, and hiring bias
These readings show both how to market yourself well and why hiring systems are not always fair. That gives you both the practical side and the critical side.
Interviewing, references, and self-presentation
These readings support preparation, professionalism, confidence, and follow-up. They connect directly to the interview workshop.
Inclusion, workplace barriers, and advancement
These readings are important because they show that the workplace is not always equal or fair. Black employees may not see real advancement even when employers talk about inclusion, and women often face structural barriers to advancement. These are excellent readings to use in essays because they add depth and critical thinking.
AI, changing labour markets, and the future of work
These readings show that AI is changing the job search and also changing what employers expect from workers. They suggest students need to be AI-literate but also authentic, human, and adaptable.
Career change, long-term planning, and work-life realism
These readings broaden the course beyond “how to get hired” and into “how to build a life.” They support Lori’s talk and the Life in the Workplace workshop.
Part 2: Final exam preparation
Your final is two essay questions, and you are expected to use guest speakers, workshops, and readings. That means this is not an exam where you memorize definitions only. It is an exam where you need to connect ideas.
What to focus on most
Study these big essay themes:
1. Why career paths are not linear
Use:
Sarah Cipkar
Lori Atkinson
Tatiana Dafoe
Christina Vacheresse
Tashlyn Teskey
planned happenstance
career mindset reading
2. Why networking matters
Use:
networking workshop
Stephanie Dupley
Latimer
Dragicevic
Lori Atkinson
3. Why transferable skills matter
Use:
Career Planning workshop
Christina Vacheresse
Tatiana Dafoe
soft skills readings
communication reading
4. How students can prepare for the job market
Use:
interview workshop
resume/cover letter workshop
job search workshop
LinkedIn workshop
VIP-CSL
AI/job market readings
5. How equity, bias, and inclusion shape careers
Use:
Derous and Ryan on resume bias
inclusion reading
women’s advancement reading
Kaitlyn Ellsworth / equity themes
workplace professionalism and inclusion slides
Best way to answer an essay
For each paragraph, use this structure:
Point
State the idea clearly.
Example from speaker/workshop
Name the speaker/workshop and explain what it showed.
Reading connection
Use one reading to support or deepen the point.
Application
Explain how this helps you prepare for your own future career.
That structure will make your answer organized and strong.
3-page cheat sheet draft
You said you can bring in up to 900 words total, so here is a tight exam-note version you can shorten or copy into your final pages.
Final Exam Cheat Sheet
Big course themes: career paths are not linear; transferable skills matter; networking matters; professionalism matters; experience can come from many places; job market is changing because of AI, bias, and labour shifts.
Career Planning workshop: career planning = lifelong process; assess skills, values, interests, personality; explore careers; build skills; market self; search for jobs. Reverse career planning = start with end goal and work backward. Planned happenstance = chance matters, but curiosity, flexibility, and action help you use chance well. Helps with uncertainty and changing plans.
Networking workshop: networking = relationship-building, not begging for jobs. Use family, friends, alumni, professors, LinkedIn, volunteering, events, informational interviews. Helps access hidden job market and career insight. Use for learning + referrals.
Tashlyn Teskey: experiential learning matters; internships and small opportunities matter; be adaptable; help before asked; learn from workplace; reliability + initiative lead to growth. Good for future because it shows career growth starts with habits and openness.
Jane Sylvester / VIP-CSL: volunteering can build real experience, confidence, networks, and resume content. VIP gives 40+ hours, professional development, reflection, and transcript recognition. Use volunteering to build experience before paid work.
Resume/Cover Letter: applications should be tailored, clear, and relevant. Resume is first impression. Derous & Ryan: resume screening can be biased, especially through names and ethnic cues; standardization/accountability matter. Good essay point = hiring is not always neutral.
Interview workshop: research employer; align skills with job; prepare examples; know traditional, behavioural, situational, technical questions; use STAR; ask questions; send thank-you email. Helps with confidence and interview anxiety.
References: references are part of personal marketing; choose relevant people; inform them; prep them; follow up.
Stephanie Dupley / LinkedIn & social media: employers Google candidates; personal brand matters; keep professional and personal accounts separate; LinkedIn helps networking, job searching, job alerts, alumni research, outreach. Good for future because online presence is now part of employability.
Tatiana Dafoe: public-sector career path through grad school + internship + municipal roles. Skills: communication, empathy, research, collaboration, critical thinking, customer service. Advice: say yes to opportunities, apply even if not perfect fit, failure is feedback, know strengths, don’t compare journeys. Great example for non-linear career and resilience.
Sarah Cipkar: non-linear path linking community development, politics, housing, research, policy, entrepreneurship. Main idea: contribute to systemic change; ask what work you want to do and what life you want to live; be curious; trust process. Great example that different interests can connect into one purpose-driven career.
Christina Vacheresse: moved from frontline roles into executive/policy support. What set her apart: strong writing, detail, organization, reliability, communication, skill development. Main lesson: graduates are not starting from zero; university builds transferable skills.
Lori Atkinson: many careers over a lifetime are normal; ask for help; do informational interviews; build authentic relationships; be curious; volunteer; don’t chase only money; public speaking matters; commit to lifelong learning; EQ matters as much as IQ. Strong example for non-linear career + growth mindset.
Job Search workshop: effective job search = docs + research + brand + networking + targeted applications + tracking + scam awareness. Hidden job market matters. Mass applying is weak strategy.
Life in Workplace workshop: professionalism = competence, work ethic, reliability, integrity, respect. Be punctual, ask questions, communicate clearly, own mistakes, support team, respect diversity, stay professional online, keep learning, avoid burnout.
Important readings: soft skills valued more because jobs change quickly; communication is one of the most demanded skills; volunteering and nonprofit work build skills and networks; inclusion efforts may exist without real advancement; women and racialized groups still face barriers; AI is changing hiring and workers need AI literacy, but human connection still matters.