Career Development Forum

Think global experiences are out of reach for your students—or your office—because of cost or travel barriers? Think again.

This session explores how educators can create meaningful global work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities by leveraging international alumni networks and institutional partnerships—without the need for international travel or major funding.

Drawing from a successful pilot at the University of Cincinnati (USA), the session will offer practical strategies and scalable ideas you can adapt to your own campus. You’ll leave with actionable tools to help students build global career readiness from wherever they are—no passport or extra budget required!

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify actionable strategies for leveraging existing institutional partnerships and international alumni to create global WIL opportunities without requiring student travel.
• Develop a low-cost implementation plan for introducing or expanding global career readiness programming within their department, team, or advising practice.
• Plan key steps and best practices for developing a scalable course that integrates global work-integrated learning through partnerships and alumni engagement.

Work Integrated Learning practitioners often notice signs that make them wonder if a student needs extra support. Fear of saying the wrong thing or causing offense can stop these important conversations. Nobody wants to hurt someone's feelings or face criticism for bringing up sensitive topics.

However, research shows that staying silent can cause more harm. Students may struggle through their placements with their "head barely above water," missing chances for success.

This hands-on session teaches participants how to use Cultural Intelligence (CQ) – to understand everyone's point of view and prepare a strength based strategy. Attendees learn to share factual observations to create a clear path to actionable solutions.

Participants will practice unpacking tough accessibility situations and discussing concerns using factual observations as stepping stones toward real help. This approach works even when students aren't ready to ask for support or don't realize they need it.

Attendees will leave with practical tools and greater confidence to have courageous conversations that set students up for success in their work placements and beyond.

Learning Outcomes:

• Participants can reflect on all stakeholders perspectives using the CQ model.
• Participants can identify factual observations that can guide the conversation.
• Participants feel confident to discuss their concerns without fear of attaching or enforcing stigma.

We know that employers value soft skills because they enable employees to be adaptable, productive and effective in the workplace. These non-technical skills complement students’ academics and are crucial for success in various roles and industries.

This session will present an innovative approach to career development, focusing on how students can recognize, develop, and articulate essential employability skills.

Drawing on practical experience, the presenter will detail the design and implementation of an interactive workshop model that moves beyond theoretical definitions. The workshop integrates structured discussions, reflective exercises, and peer-to-peer learning to help students identify the employability skills they are already gaining through academic studies, part-time jobs, volunteer experiences, and co-curricular activities. Furthermore, the workshop will highlight strategies to empower students to proactively seek opportunities for skill development and effectively communicate these competencies to future employers. Attendees will gain actionable insights into designing similar programs that foster self-awareness and career readiness in diverse student populations.

Introducing "Your Learning" Appointments: In conjunction with the workshop, the Career Development team are piloting a new appointment aimed at helping students and alumni develop the confidence to identify and effectively communicate their essential employability skills in various professional contexts, particularly during job interviews. In this one-on-one session, we explore how academic and extracurricular experiences contribute to developing highly valued essential employability skills, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in the labour market.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key components for designing an interactive essential employability skills workshop.
• Understand strategies for facilitating meaningful discussions that connect student experiences to skill acquisition.
• Learn methods to help students recognize and articulate their existing employability skills.
• Explore techniques for encouraging students to identify and pursue opportunities for further skill development.