The Applied Career Transitions Program

Please note that the Applied Career Transitions (ACT) Program is currently undergoing development and is not being offered at this time. Check back through the late summer and early fall for more information.

What is the ACT Program?

The Applied Career Transitions (ACT) Program is an initiative of UVic Career Services to guide recent graduates through a structured and applied approach to managing their career transition out of the university. It is currently offered free of charge.

The program consists of three modules.

The starting point for everyone is Module 1. Depending on your needs, you may then continue to Module 2 and, after that, Module 3.

Each module will get you started in a key process of your career management that will continue beyond the end of the module.  Major career transitions can often take from 3 to 6 months or longer, so it may be some time after you have ended your formal participation in the program that you begin to see concrete results.

Read more about Module 1.

Read more about Module 2.

Read more about Module 3.

 

How do you work through the program?

Each unit of each module consists of a series of short readings on relevant topics followed by exercises. The exercises require that you apply the concepts from the readings to your own career transition process. We recognize that everyone has their own style of learning. Often we will provide you with a choice of several ways of approaching an exercise so that you can do it in a way that works well for you.

Some of these exercises are brainstorming exercises, some of them are research exercises and some of them are analysis exercises. The research requires that you not only access online resources but that you also make contact with people in your career area and arrange to meet or talk with them in person when possible.

The program materials (readings and exercises) for all three modules are available online. Once you have been accepted into the program, you will be given a username and password to access the online program site.

There are two different options available for you to work through the program materials. Both options lead you through the program in a structured way with an expectation of accountability.

ACCESS OPTION 1 – COACHED

This may be the best option for you if you prefer learning independently, require some flexibility around scheduling and do not have easy access to the UVic campus.

• You independently work through the program materials
• You participate in 2-4 individual coaching appointments (45 min-1 hour each) in-person or by phone with a Program Coordinator

 

ACCESS OPTION 2 – COACHED WITH GROUP

This may be the best option for you if you value a shared learning experience and have access to the UVic campus.

• You independently work through the program materials
• You participate in 2-4 individual coaching appointments (45 min-1 hour each) in-person or by phone with a Program Coordinator
• For each unit, you attend a 2 hour in-class session on campus

Once you have completed a module, we encourage you to stay in touch informally by phone or email if you have questions or just want to quickly debrief your progress.

When you submit a program application to begin Module 1, you select the access option that you feel works best for you. When you apply to subsequent modules, you may choose the same or a different access option.

What level of commitment is required?

The process of engaging in a major career transition will vary from person to person but it can take from 3 to 6 months or longer. Unfortunately there are no magic tests or easy-to-do exercises that will give you all the answers you are looking for.

Building your career can be exciting. It can also be overwhelming and confusing. It requires you to stay focused on what you really want from your career while you explore what is or is not possible, all the while remaining open to new possibilities and being okay with uncertainty. Not easy! Authentic and sustained engagement in the process becomes essential.

The ACT Program will help you focus and organize yourself so you can move forward in your career, but it is not a quick fix if you need work immediately. Frequently, ACT Program participants are already working part-time or even full-time while in the program, usually in non-career related positions.

The best time to participate in the ACT Program is when your life is in a fairly stable situation. If you are under serious financial stress or other areas of your life require a lot of your energy, you may not have the ability to focus properly on the program and it will be difficult for you to make progress. If you are looking for a “pay the bills” job in order to stabilize your financial situation, we recommend you access the various resources and services available at UVic Career Services to help you. Once you have this kind of work in place, you will be in a better situation to benefit from the ACT Program.

Regardless of which access option you select (coached or coached with group), participating in the ACT Program requires a minimum time commitment on your part. If you are unable to commit to this time, you will be unlikely to see significant change in your career situation. The following chart describes the minimum time commitments for each module.

TIME COMMITMENT FOR EACH MODULE (outside coaching appointments and group sessions)

• Module 1 - At least 5 hours per week over 4 to 10 weeks
• Module 2 - At least 5 hours per week over 4 to 10 weeks (3 hours per week of which must be available during regular business hours)
• Module 3 - At least 20 hours per week over 8-16 weeks (this is the ACT Internship)

As with almost any kind of undertaking, the more time, energy and engaged commitment you can devote to the ACT Program, the more likely you are to see good results.

What kinds of outcomes can you expect?

Each module has been designed for you to work towards and achieve specific outcomes.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR EACH MODULE

• Module 1 - Identification and validation of emerging career-related goals that align with your vision for your career
• Module 2 - A career-related work opportunity that aligns with your emerging career goals and your vision for your career
• Module 3 - Greater experience and skill leading to a career-related work opportunity that aligns with your emerging career goals and your vision for your career

You will begin working towards these outcomes while formally participating in the program. Committing to the timeline of each module sets up a momentum that keeps your career building process going when your motivation fluctuates. Once the formal program elements are complete, you will continue to engage in this process as it may take time for you to achieve the outcomes you are working towards. This will be different for each individual. Keep in mind that a major career transition can take from 3 to 6 months or longer.

Who is eligible to participate?

The ACT Program is available to recent UVic graduates (within 2 years of convocation) from undergraduate and graduate degree and diploma programs who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

We will also consider current students in the final term of their degree who have a light course load (generally 2 classes maximum).

What does it cost?

Currently, the ACT Program is free.

Non-Victoria residents participating in the program will be required to cover long distance phone charges for coaching appointments.

As we do not currently have a fee for the program, we are asking participants to give back to the program by participating in our outcome measurement process. This includes completing a final evaluation for each module, providing regular feedback on the program curriculum and completing a post-program work outcome survey 4 months after participating in the program.

When can you participate?

Here are the upcoming Module 1 program dates. This is the starting point for anyone interested in the program.

Here are the upcoming Module 2 program dates. If you have completed Module 1, you may be interested in participating in Module 2.

There are no scheduled program dates for Module 3. It is available as an option for active Module 2 participants on an individual basis.

The program cycle beginning in the Fall of 2009 will be posted in late Spring 2009.

How do you apply?

MODULE 1

• Complete the ACT Module 1 Application Form and email it along with your most recent resume to Ian and Lynn (the ACT Program Coordinators) at act@uvic.ca.

 

MODULE 2

• You may apply for Module 2 only after you have completed Module 1. Complete the ACT Module 2 Application Form and email it to Ian and Lynn (the ACT Program Coordinators) at act@uvic.ca.

 

MODULE 3

• You may discuss your readiness for Module 3 with one of the Program Coordinators during your Module 2 coaching process. There is no application form.

Once we receive your application, we will get in touch by email regarding the next steps.

What if you need more information?

For more information about the ACT Program, please contact us by email at act@uvic.ca

We look forward to hearing from you!

FAQ

Can I take the program if I don’t live in Victoria?

Yes. You can apply for the coached option. Your coaching appointments will be by telephone. You will be required to cover the costs of long distance phone calls in this case.

What if I don’t need Modules 1 and 2 and just want to do the internship?

Unfortunately, you need to do both Module 1 and 2 before Module 3 as the ACT internship is a self-generated internship and requires you to find your own internship and negotiate the terms of it yourself. This process is covered in Module 2 of the program.

What if I want to take Module 1 now but won’t be able to do Module 2 until later, maybe in 4 or 5 months?

No problem. Once you have completed Module 1, you can apply for Module 2 when you are ready to do it. We try to schedule regular intakes for each Module.

I really need a job right now. Will the ACT Program be able to help me?

The ACT Program is probably not the best resource for you at this time. If you are looking for career work, it is unlikely that you will be able to find what you are looking for as quickly as you need it. It can often take 3 – 6 months or longer to make a major career transition. The best time to participate in the ACT Program is when your life is in a fairly stable situation. If you are under serious financial stress or other areas of your life require a lot of your energy, you may not have the ability to focus properly on the program and it will be difficult for you to make progress. If you are looking for a “pay the bills” job in order to stabilize your financial situation, we recommend you access the various resources and services available at UVic Career Services to help you. Once you have this kind of work in place, you will be in a better situation to benefit from the ACT Program.

I’ve done all that Module 1 stuff already on my own. Can I start at Module 2?

Module 1 is the starting point for all ACT participants as it takes you through an intense preparation process for Module 2. If you have done some of this type of work already, you will be able to finish Module 1 more quickly than someone who hasn’t, but it is still important that you work through all four units of the module to ensure you’re ready for Module 2.

What if I find career work part way through the program?

That’s great! If you feel you have achieved your goals, you can leave the program early. If you want to complete the module, we will help you look at ways to work it into your schedule.

If I’m planning to go to grad school soon, is this a useful program to take at this time?

Maybe. Maybe not. Module 1 may provide you with more insight into why you’re going to grad school and help clarify what you want to do with your degree afterwards. This might be useful at giving you a focus for your project work during your degree. If you’re feeling uncertain about whether you should go to grad school now, Module 1 may provide you with more clarity about what your next steps should be. However, Modules 2 and 3 will not be useful for you if you are going to grad school soon as they are focused on getting career-related work now.