The first of November marks the start of Career Month for Canadians — from coast to coast, professionals of every stripe are levelling up their resumes and skills to supercharge their careers. If you’re looking for professional development opportunities, the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is hosting numerous events to help bring your future into focus.  

On Nov 5 at 4:30 pm, join five UFV alumni for a panel meant to unlock the potential of your arts degree. The What to Do With Your Arts Degree event will provide career testimonials, insider tips, and practical advice to inspire new possibilities. This year’s speakers include Madison McArthur (BA ’12), Jenny Campbell (BA ’00), Haley Boros (BFA ’11), Maria Alejandra Blanco (BMA ’25), and Diana Blanco (BMA ’25). 

Participants can attend online or in person in Room B101 (the lecture theatre) on the Abbotsford campus.  

The Community Ideation Jam takes place Nov 10 and 12, open to current UFV students from any program. From 8:30 am to 4 pm, this event brings multiple disciplines together for a 24-hour challenge to generate innovative ideas in a collaborative environment. Registered students will get the opportunity to share their voice, meet new people, hear from guest speakers, and apply their learning to real-world challenges. Find photos from last year’s event here. 

Pave Your Own Career Path begins at 4 pm on Nov 18, online and in Room A225 on the Abbotsford campus. This event illuminates the unique career journeys of UFV alumni, offering valuable insights and role models to guide your next steps. One of this year’s speakers is UFV’s manager of sustainability, Jennifer Martel (BSc ’14), who has dedicated her career to promoting and implementing sustainable practices.  

Tony Dhaliwal (BA ’12) former Chair of UFV Alumni Association Board, will also speak about his experience as the Director of Acceleration at Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre. As a dedicated champion of sustainability and climate innovation, he will share ways he’s transforming the field of environment-friendly technology. 

Register here to learn more about how UFV graduates make a difference. 

“We’re thrilled to be a part of this collaborative effort to bring Career Month to life,” says Whitney Fordham, Director of Alumni Engagement. “UFV graduates are forever part of our community. It’s a pleasure to see alumni return to share their time, treasure, and talent. Their mentorship has a lasting impact, especially in empowering the next generation of graduates to succeed.”

Through the collaboration of UFV’s Centre for Experiential and Career Education (CECE) and the UFV Alumni Association, these events are sure to inspire, empower and prepare attendees for the next stage of their careers. 

Click here to find out what this month has to offer. To learn more about CECE’s professional development services and upcoming events, visit the CECE  website.