What we learned at the arts+businessWORKS Career Development Conference 

It was wonderful seeing so many of you at this year’s arts+businessWORKS Career Development Conference on Saturday, November 2. Our knowledgeable and diverse speakers gave a lot of great advice, but two fantastic tips stood out to us. Whether you attended or not, we hope that these parting words stick with you!

Take risks. Many of our speakers took risks that opened doors, leading them to their current roles. Risk-taking doesn’t have to be scary! All it takes is being open to new opportunities and challenges and seeing where they lead you. Planned happenstance (embracing unplanned and spontaneous events and encounters) can play a big role in this kind of risk taking. Meet new people and try new things - you never know what kind of an impact these chance opportunities may have on your career journey! 

Practice public speaking. Jean Bruce Koua, one of our keynote speakers and co-founder of Elev, never set out to be an entrepreneur. When he came up with Elev however, he realized that preparation and planning only go so far. You also have to sell your idea to generate interest and support. Although he managed to practice his pitch and hone public speaking skills on his own and with his team, he encouraged us to look for opportunities to gain that practice now. This is to ensure we’re better prepared for interviews, pitches, presentations, etc. when those moments arise. By presenting your ideas to your class, speaking up in meetings and classes and/or joining an organization like U of A Toastmasters, you will take steps toward being a more confident speaker!

The next arts+businessWORKS career Development Conference will be held in 2026. In the meantime, connect with your Work Experience Coordinator for all things career-related and keep an eye on this newsletter for upcoming workshops and events.