Arts, Science careers focus of talks, forums

Career opportunities and job search methods for UBC Arts and Science graduates are being offered through two separate programs sponsored by the UBC Alumni Association.

Beyond the BA, a forum held during Arts Week, Jan. 27-31, aims to convey the kind of information and life skills not provided in the classroom.

On Jan. 27, executive search consultant Casey Forrest of Pinton, Forrest and Madden Group Inc. will discuss who hires Arts graduates, what makes for an effective resumé and the most common interview questions.

At the Jan. 28 forum, Katie Brown, of Dale Carnegie Training Systems, gives pointers on how to make a good first impression. Geoff Curzon of UBC Career Services offers advice on how to target your job search on Jan. 30.

On Jan. 31, four UBC Arts graduates will discuss how they used their degrees in Psychology, English and French as springboards to successful careers.

Beyond the BA is sponsored by the UBC Alumni Association, the Faculty of Arts and the Arts Undergraduate Society. The event is free of charge and, despite its focus on Arts undergraduates, is open to anyone at UBC.

All Beyond the BA events will be held from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the SUB Auditorium.

Your Career in Science is a program co-sponsored by the Alumni Association, the Dept. of Medical Genetics, the Genetics Graduate Program and the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Two presentations are designed to give students in PhD programs an understanding of business practices and culture.

The career skills presentation on Jan. 28 features Haig Farris, past chair of the BC Science Council, Elaine Weiss of Inex Pharmaceutical Corp. and Blair Grabinsky, manager of UBC Career Services. On Feb. 11, Julian Davies, head of UBC's Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, will lead a panel discussing the business of science.

Both presentations will be held in Wesbrook 201 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.