Cannexus23 Recap: Insights from Canada’s Main Career Development Conference

We recently had the chance to be part of Canada’s Career Development Conference Cannexus23, hosted by CERIC - Advancing Career Development in Canada in Ottawa. 

Wavemakers is committed to preparing Canadian Post Secondary students to thrive in the future of work. To do this, a key pillar of our program is helping students build their professional networks and as a program it is also critical we build and cultivate our own networks to create greater connections that will in turn support students on their journey. 

The key themes of the conference were in line with Wavemakers’ key values that lay the foundation of our work:

Inclusion and Belonging: In the opening keynote, James Makokis, Canada’s Two Spirit, Diversity, Indigenous Health and First Nation Expert, delivered practical insights into building inclusive spaces and programs for diverse populations to help students feel safe and accepted. In our own programming we’ve seen how a sense of inclusion and belonging helps students open up, becoming more confident, and allowing innovation and creativity to thrive. 

Lifelong Learning: Given our focus on helping students future-proof themselves and remain competitive in the workforce, we were excited to hear D'Andre Wilson-Ihejirika, Executive Director of Work-Integrated Learning, Calgary Economic Development, emphasize the importance of these opportunities. ”Lifelong learning and the ability to learn new skills and develop transferable skills is maybe more important in a hire than 10 years experience—especially as technology changes so quickly,” said Wilson-Ihejirika. We couldn’t agree more, and it’s why our programming focuses on helping students develop the skills that will help them on their career journeys well into the future.

Cutting-Edge Technology: Conversations on the power of emergent technology aligned with how we aim to provide inclusive spaces for all Canadian post-secondary students within the metaverse. As one of the speakers noted in a panel titled The Future is Now: AI & Career Services, “technology can be an equalizer if we use it in deeply, ground up inclusive ways … if not, it will continue to create separation that enhances our divide between one another.” 

The Power of Networks: Throughout the three-day event, building strong networks and cultivating deep connections was encouraged. We strongly support organizations to connect and collaborate with students to better engage and inspire long term success in their careers and the economy. It is for this reason that Wavemakers partners with post-secondary institutions, employers, and other work-integrated learning programs, along with nonprofits that support wellbeing and underrepresented groups. We help students and our economy thrive by being a team focused on our shared future successes

Meeting and reconnecting with industry partners and like-minded leaders at Cannexus 2023 was the perfect way to kick off the new year and open conversations on how we can connect even more. 

What are ways students can build these critical relationships while still in school, so that they are ready for their future of work? Share with us on LinkedIn and we can see how we can collaborate in the year ahead.