Get quick tips here. For expert advice use the resources and services listed on the right side of the page or visit us at the Career Centre.

Where to Gain Work Experience

Many people think that the only way to get work experience is through a 9-to-5 paid job. In fact, there are other approaches you can take.

Internships, volunteering, summer, temporary, or part-time jobs in your field of interest, allow you to build your communication, time management, organizational, and networking skills.

Extra-curricular activities allow you to enhance skills, explore areas of interest, and add people to your network. There are many clubs, committees, and societies that you can join. You can find a detailed list on the ULife website. You can also join a professional association in your field — use the Associations Canada directory in the Career Resource Library to explore this option.

Academic activities including classes, papers, projects, presentations, and labs have helped you to build many technical and transferable skills in your field. Look for your major in the Careers By Degree series to help you identify skills you have developed.

Co-op or a practicum, as part of your coursework, allows you to experience the work environment. Not all programs offer placements, so consult your faculty or department to find out if you have this option.

How Skills Are Built

It all starts with a goal. Establish what kind of job or industry best suits your personality, values and interest. Then identify the skills you will require. Most employers value interpersonal, teamwork, verbal and written communication, and leadership skills. Specific computer programming, technical, or job-related knowledge may also be required. To learn how to make career choices, check out the Choosing a Career section in My Career.

Once you have figured out what skills you need, it’s important to understand how to aquire them. It is like building a pyramid; each skill you have developed is a stepping stone to your next opportunity to acquire a new skill. Start by listing the skills you already have. If you need help, attend the You and Your Career Options workshop. Let’s examine how a U of T student gathered the experience necessary to attain their career goal.

Making the Most of Your Experiences

Use these tactics to enhance the effectiveness of your experience:

• be professional
• arrive on time
• dress appropriately
• work hard to complete your tasks
• network with the people you meet — they will become part of your professional network that can provide great references or help you find hidden job opportunities
• pitch in whenever and wherever you can — the more skills you can develop in your chosen role, the better your resume
• keep a journal of the activities you undertake in your role in order to better market your newly acquired skills on your resume
• try to have many types of experiences to show potential employers that you are continually active in your field and that you have a broad skill-set