Building Your Resume

Career Services
Certificate Opportunities
Part-Time or Summer Jobs
Reference Letters
Research Skills
Student Associations
Volunteering

Career Services @ Experiental Learning Hub

The Experiential Learning Hub has many resources to help you explore prepare for careers.  They have online modules that explore everything from career planning, networking techniques, resumes, interviews questions and activities on how to write a resume and apply to grad school.  You can book an appointment with a Career Advisor for more career ideas, job search preparation, mock interviews, career development, and more.   Hundreds of jobs are currently posted on Experience Guelph.

You may also be interested in taking the course UNIV*2100  Career Ready: Develop Your Future as an elective.

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Certificate Opportunities

The University offers certificate and diploma programs for those who want to develop or upgrade skills in one of these areas without necessarily proceeding towards a three- or four-year degree program. A list of certificates is available on the Open Education page. For more information on the certificates, please contact the Open Learning Program Counsellor (counsellor@OpenEd.uoguelph.ca).

There are a few key differences between completing a certificate and a minor.  A certificate requires fewer courses to complete, it does not appear on your transcript, but you can apply to receive a separate document indicating that you completed the certificate coursework. A minor requires more courses (almost two times more) than a certificate and your transcript will be the only documentation stating that you have completed a minor. 

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Part-Time or Summer Jobs

You can gain profession-related skills in part-time or summer jobs, particularly if your job relates specifically to your career goal.  However, you gain essential skills that can help your career in almost any job.  For example, think about the cooking and training/teaching skills you use if you are caring for a child.  Make a note of these skills so you can include them in your “skills profile” on your resume. 

Hundreds of jobs are currently posted on Experience Guelph.  Also, check labour market information and job postings at the following links:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/labour-market
https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis

There are also positions on campus:  

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Reference Letters

References are a critical component of applications to post-graduate programs and jobs. Here are some guidelines for requesting references. Note: Students in the AHN program will recieve further instructions on getting references for dietetic internships.

Choose faculty carefully

  • Approach faculty who would have seen the skills and knowledge requirements of the application you are completing 
  • For post graduate programs, first approach faculty who have taught you 3rd and 4th year level courses
  • Ask whether the faculty member can provide you with a strong letter of reference
  • Letters from assistant, associate or full professors are generally preferred at most Institutions

Request references early

  • Ask whether the faculty member wishes paper or electronic documents
  • Allow at least 3 weeks for faculty to produce letters

Information/materials to provide about yourself

  • Remind the professor of the program you are in and the course(s) you have taken with them (include course code and semester)
  • Brief summary (1/2 page) of your key strengths/areas that you think should be emphasized; especially note any outstanding accomplishments you may have had in the course(s) taught by this particular faculty member
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Draft of your statement of interest/plan of study/letter of intent

Information/materials to provide about the program(s) to which you are applying

  • Name and location of the program
  • Brief description of the program and/or link to the program website, if applicable
  • Type of reference required (i.e., online, forms, letter, etc.)
  • Forms and/or links to the reference forms (Make sure that any required information is on forms, if applicable)
  • Deadline/due date for receipt of letter of reference
  • Address for the letter of reference, and contact person, if applicable
  • You may be asked to provide an addressed envelope in which the faculty member can send the letter of reference

Confirmation

  • Ask the faculty member to confirm that your letter of reference has been sent

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Research Skills

Faculty research drives ongoing development of new knowledge and enriches the undergraduate program.  You can explore new areas, and develop research skills, by volunteering or working for a faculty member, by taking a research internship or by completing an undergraduate thesis. To find out about current opportunities for undergraduate students, contact individual faculty members by email. FRAN Faculty interests are described on the faculty page of the department website.

Also see the Student Research Network for in-person and virtual opportunities for students to build connections, partake in professional development opportunities, socialize, share knowledge, and develop valuable research skills.

Courses that provide research experience include:

  • Research Internship (FRHD*3500, NUTR*3500)
  • Thesis I (FRHD*4810, NUTR*4810)
  • Thesis II (FRHD*4910, NUTR*4910)

Work opportunities for research experience include:

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Volunteering

Through volunteering, you can gain practical experience, while providing help for others.  Volunteering can give you great experience in your field and helps you to apply classroom knowledge. 

You can get volunteer experience through:

Also, check with faculty members to see if they have any volunteer jobs available.  

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