Available Jobs Overview

In Canada, individuals are protected from discrimination by several legal entities. The Canadian Human Rights Act provides human rights protections for individuals based on age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability, or conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted or in respect of which a record suspension has been ordered.

Each province in Canada has a Human Rights Code that provides legal protection to protected groups. For example, the Ontario Human Rights Code establishes legal protection and equal rights and opportunities for everyone, and the right to be free from harassment and discrimination in all aspects of recruitment, hiring, and employment, including discrimination based on age, sex, race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, and creed.

Balbir, a Political Studies major, is going to graduate soon. He begins his job search with an appointment at Career Services, where the counsellor encourages him to reflect on how he wants to balance his values, skills, and goals throughout his professional career. He makes the following observations in a journal:

He notes that along with his professional aspirations and considerations, living close to his family is very important. He is also thinking about working hours, as he considers his potential role as a caregiver for his parents in the future. At the same time, he would like a stable job with a low turnover rate, salary stability and potential pension. As a man who wears a turban, it is also important to Balbir to work in a profession that respects his cultural and religious identity.

Balbir reconnects with a former mentor who recommends that Balbir emphasize the client relations management skills from his summer job at a doctor’s office on his resume, as well as his language skills in Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi.

When talking to friends about the challenge of describing relevant experiences and skills on job applications, one friend mentions the Queen’s Skills Cards. The Skills Cards help Balbir realize his volunteer experiences have helped him develop a multitude of unique skills, such as “Understanding Leadership Styles” and “Intercultural Skills.” He better understands the skills he already has, skills he may want or need to develop, and feels he is better able to describe his skills and experiences. The Queen’s Skill Cards Sorter also helped him figure out which skills he preferred to use, and which would demand more effort.

With these considerations, Balbir makes another appointment with a career counsellor. Through this discussion, Balbir realizes that his research experience in global climate governance politics is something he would like to pursue further. With further self-reflection, Balbir narrowed his focus to roles in research and policy within governmental ministries related to justice or the environment.

Reflection Questions

What are your career priorities? Create a list ranking factors such as working environment and expectations, geography, company values, salary, professional development and advancement opportunities, and alignment to career ambition, from “very important” to “not very important.”