Presenters Kathleen Walsh, Lisa Gunn, Blake Barkley and event Chair Professor Gopika Solanki
Students participate in discussion
Our department recently hosted an insightful panel discussion titled “Beyond Academia: Career Pathways for Graduate Students“. The distinguished panel featured Lisa Gunn from Oxfam International, Kathleen Walsh from Compass Rose and Blake Barkley, our department alumnus from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, bringing together professionals from three distinct sectors: international non-governmental organizations, lobbying, and federal government. Each speaker shared their professional journeys, providing valuable insights into their respective fields, highlighting the transferable skills gained in graduate studies and illustrating how these can be leveraged in various professional contexts. Complementing the panel, Dr. Karim Abuawad from the Graduate Professional Development office presented on the resources available at Carleton to support students in their professional development including career counseling services and mentoring programs.
Students participate in discussion
The event fostered an engaging Q&A session, allowing students to gain practical advice and expand their professional networks. Key topics included networking strategies and building professional relationships, opportunities for professional growth in each sector, advice on navigating the precarious job market, exploring the possibilities of international exposure, strategies for maintaining work-life balance, and tailoring graduate school curriculum and evaluation techniques to facilitate the transition to professional work.
Applause – thank you!