You are invited to Grad Day 2016!

Are you preparing to graduate? Are you unsure of what your transition out of undergraduate life will look like? Are you worried about graduating in an economic downturn?

If you answered YES to any of these questions RSVP today for Grad Day on Saturday, January 30th in the EEEL building, 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM.

Grad Day is offered in partnership by Student Services and Alumni Relations and aims to enhance the transitional experience from learning to work for graduating students.

The event is a full day symposium which will kick off with an alumni panel who will speak to the theme of resilience in the current market place and their own career journeys and life since graduating from the University of Calgary. The panel will be followed by a boxed lunch and service fair which will include: a photographer offering professional head shots, “grad checks” with student advisors, StrengthsQuest assessments, a gratitude booth to write thank you cards to faculty and resume reviews with Career Development Specialists.

Following the fair attendees will have the opportunity to choose two workshops from a diverse menu of offerings, including: Financial Planning, Networking, Young Alumni Panel on Online Personal Branding, Last Lecture with Dr. Houston Peschl, Respect in the Workplace, Exploring your Options After Graduation, Finding Resilience: A Wellness Workshop and an HR Recruiter Panel.

As in past years, the day will conclude with a keynote presentation from one of the university’s alumni success stories, Eric Termuende. Eric graduated from the Haskayne School of Business with his Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2014 and was a prominent figure amongst the student body during his program, most notably as the VP Operations and Finance on the Student’s Union Executive in 2013/14. Since graduating, Eric has gone on to co-found and act as a Director for Gen Y Inc. , a company which helps its clients attract, retain and engage the next generation of employees. Gen Y Inc. has also developed a tool to assist organizations in quantifying and analyzing their own organizational culture in order to assist them in becoming “future ready”. Eric has also recently been added to the roster of speakers promoted by the National Speakers Bureau. Students and young alumni attending Grad Day are sure to be inspired by this recent graduate’s story of continued success.

Workshop Options

Workshop A, 2:30 – 3:30 PM:

1. HR Recruiter Panel – Find out what recruiters are saying about hiring in the current economy and learn what it takes to stand out in this competitive environment.
2. Financial Planning for NOW and the future – With the average student graduating with up to $37,000 in debt, it’s easy to get in over your head. Upon graduation, you will be faced with many financial decisions. Whether your goal is to pay off your student loan, save for your first home, start a family or take a post-grad trip around the world, you need smart money management skills to make it all possible.
3. Respect in the Workplace – The business landscape and traditional training methods currently being used to address these issues in the workplace tend to come in the form of instituted policies, procedures and periodic training. This training is typically offered only to middle and upper management or “Train the Trainer” scenarios. Respect in the Workplace (RIW) is proven to deal more effectively with abuse, harassment, and bullying than traditional classroom-based workshops, booklets or videos. Learn how you can begin your career with Respect certification and give yourself a competitive advantage.
4. Last Lecture with Houston Peschl, MBA – Get inspired by Haskayne instructor, former DIRTT Environmental Solutions director and 2012 Top 40 Under 40 alumnus Houston Peschl. Hear what Houston has to say about making your mark on the world and creating your own future.

Workshop B, 3:45 – 4:45 PM:

1. Young Alumni Panel: Branding yourself online – Learn from a panel of young alumni how to ensure that your online persona enhances your workplace marketability. This will be an interactive session where you can have your questions answered.
2. Networking: Not just a buzz word! – Find out what networking is, how you can create or expand your own professional network and why it is important.
3. Exploring your options after graduation – Join in and talk to a panel of grad students about the options for furthering your education and the experiential value of travel and how it can enhance your resume or grad school applications.
4. Resiliency: A Wellness Workshop – Looking for work in an economic downturn is just one more stressor in the huge transition from student to “life after university”, join Dr. Jennifer Thannhauser in identifying what you can do to keep your personal wellness in check and build resiliency as a life skill.

Please Note: All attendees are automatically registered for the Alumni Panel Discussion and Keynote presentations.

For details and updated information go to: ucalgary.ca/gradday

Please RSVP by 12:00 PM on the 27th of January 2016.