Career Services

A Continuing Studies certificate or diploma can help you qualify for new roles, strengthen your skills for your current career, or support a transition into a new field. The opportunities available will depend on your program, previous education and experience, and the type of work you are targeting.

To better understand career options in your area of study, start by identifying job titles that match your experience and current program area. Review job postings to understand employer requirements and how your program’s courses and skills align. Employers typically hire based on education, technical skills, experience, and transferable skills, not just a credential’s name. Your credential can be especially valuable when paired with prior professional experience. For example, someone with international business experience who completes a certificate in Data Analytics may be able to pursue roles that combine their existing industry knowledge with new analytics skills.

Continuing Studies certificates and diplomas strengthen résumés and expand professional opportunities. Programs focus on professional development, upskilling, reskilling, and career preparation, with instruction from industry experts.

Even if you do not meet the minimum previous work experience requirement outlined in a job posting, you may still be eligible to apply, based on your combined other experience and qualifications, such as volunteer work, education, projects and field studies.

To help you gain more experience in your desired field, seek opportunities to demonstrate the skills employers request, even outside traditional full-time jobs. Depending on your goals, this may include:

• Volunteer positions related to your target industry
• Relevant projects and coursework through your program
• Internships, practicums, or work-integrated learning, such as field studies.
• Contract, temporary, freelance, or part-time positions
• Student or community project-based work
• Professional association involvement
• Creating a portfolio that demonstrates your skills
• Using previous work experience to demonstrate transferable skills

When reviewing job postings, separate essential and preferred qualifications. You do not need to meet every requirement to apply. If you have relevant skills from another context, explain how this experience applies.

Before accepting employment, review the conditions of your immigration status and ensure you are authorized to work in Canada. Work authorization depends on your study permit, program, and circumstances. For details, see Immigration Advising in Continuing Studies.

Understanding Canadian workplace expectations, professional etiquette, business practices, and employment standards builds confidence for your job search. Include your international education, work, and volunteer experience on your Canadian résumé, as these are valuable to employers.

Contact a Career Educator for support and questions about working in Canada.

Search for jobs based on your skills, not only your credentials.

When job searching, focus on functions you want to perform and the job titles employers use for those roles, not just those that match your program name.

For example, in Digital Marketing, start by searching for keywords and job titles such as Communications Coordinator, SEO Optimizer, Content Manager, or Social Media Assistant. Then, review postings to understand the minimum requirements for your desired roles.

Click here to search industry-specific job boards:

• Learning in Motion Portal
• Job Search Engines- Search by Industry
  
  

Know the Hidden Job Market. Up to 80% of job vacancies are filled without public postings. Many companies in Canada rely on employee referrals, internal promotions, and networking to fill roles. To access unadvertised jobs, focus on networking, seek referrals, and reach out directly to employers, in addition to using job boards.

Canadians may hold about 15 jobs and change careers 5 to 7 times in a lifetime. Although common, the first step can feel daunting. Clarify your values, interests, and goals to refine your path. Research job postings to identify requirements for new sectors, then map your transferable skills and determine any additional training needed. Transferable skills enable you to move across sectors and roles.

Continuing Studies offers several industry-focused micro-credentials as a fast, flexible way to upskill or reskill during a career transition. Click here to learn more.

After completing your studies, you’ll be able to add your education experience to your email signature, business cards, resume and LinkedIn. Be sure to use the official credential name shown on your UVic certificate or diploma and avoid creating abbreviations or designations that aren't officially associated with the credential.

On a resume or LinkedIn profile, you could list it as:

University of Victoria – Continuing Studies
Certificate in [Official Program Name]
[Year completed]

or

University of Victoria – Continuing Studies
Diploma in [Official Program Name]
[Year completed]

For an email signature or business card, keep it simple:

Jane Singh
Diploma in Business Administration
University of Victoria | Continuing Studies

If you have a professionally recognized designation associated with your credential, use the designation only if you have met the requirements to hold it.

On LinkedIn, you can include your credentials in the Education section and highlight relevant skills, projects, certifications, and accomplishments in other sections of your profile. This helps employers see not only what you studied, but also what you can do as a result of your education.

While Continuing Studies does not have a formal co-op or internship option, you are encouraged to contact the UVic Division of Continuing Studies office directly to check if an applied project, practicum, or local employer networking option exists for your specific program of interest.

Students enrolled in the following programs can access Career Services as part of their student fees:

• Business Administration students 
• Data Analytics for Management Science students 
• Digital Marketing students

Students in other Continuing Studies programs may opt in for a small fee.