Career Counselling and Support

Searching online for career advice and guidance can be overwhelming. Sometimes you need to check in with an experienced career development professional who can answer your questions and point you in the right direction. Our team of career and employment experts can help.

Book an appointment

Meet with our career counselling and job search coaching team to receive personalized support. Visit OSCARplus (under Student Success Centre > Appointments > Career Counselling and Job Search Coaching. Then, browse the appointment types and register.

OSCARplus

Get answers to your career questions

Do you feel stuck in your career exploration, career development or job search? There are a lot of career and education options out there — almost too many to count. Make an appointment with our careers team. We’ll help you explore so you can identify and pursue the options that make sense for you.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET 

The Student Success Centre’s career team offers drop-in services, no appointment required, every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon between 1:30 and 4pm. Drop-ins are offered on a first-come, first serve basis. 

  • Virtual drop-ins (15 minutes): Join on Zoom, and someone from the careers team will join you when they’re available. There are options for text chat, audio or video. Let the staff member know your preference when they join.
  • In-person drop-ins (20 minutes): Visit us in the Student Success Centre in Gilmour Hall 110. Check in at the front desk. 

Brought to you by the Student Success Centre (SSC) and Alumni Career Services.

Career counsellors work with you in a supportive and collaborative manner to help you make career, education, and life decisions.  

At the Student Success Centre, our career counsellors help you:   

  • Reflect, explore and plan your career and/or further education journey. 
  • Clarify your thoughts and feelings about your career or education concerns. 
  • Assess your interests, strengths, values and factors influencing your career development. 
  • Locate career and education information to inform your decision making.   
  • Strategize and develop a plan to achieve your career and further education goals.   

Career assessments, such as the MBTI, Strong Interest Inventory, SkillScan and Challenge Cards are also available. Meet with a career counsellor to find out which tools can help you and gain access. 

Job searching is an important process in your career development. You may have questions about how to conduct your search effectively, including how to find suitable opportunities, how to prepare a successful application and more.

Job search coaching appointments can help you with any of the following:

  • Resume and Cover Letter
  • Job Search Planning and Strategies
  • Networking
  • Interview Coaching
  • LinkedIn Profile
  • Workplace concerns
  • Job offers

Through Alumni Career Services, provided by our careers team and the McMaster Alumni Association, you have access to career counselling and advising for up to five years after you graduate. Meet with an alumni career counsellor to support your career exploration, planning and goals.

Overcome barriers in your employment and career development

Career Access Professional Services (CAPS) can help. We’re dedicated to helping you access opportunities and support in ways that work for you, regardless of where you are in your career journey.

“I wanted to get a summer job but I found the job market very confusing and daunting due to my autism spectrum disorder, depressive mood disorder, and anxiety. Tanya from CAPS was very kind and understanding, and empowered me to find a job on my own by giving me the tools and the confidence, and supporting me when it became overwhelming. I definitely would not be working right now or even last summer if it wasn’t for CAPS.”

— CAPS participant

The CAPS team will collaborate with you to develop an individualized plan that respects and considers your intersectionality, academic path and hopes for the future.

We can help you navigate barriers to employment. This includes assistance with workplace accommodations, guidance on how and when to disclose a disability and more. Plus, our CAPS employer team has connections with inclusive employers and community partners to support your career development and workplace transition.

How we can help

  • Career counselling
  • Job search coaching
  • Equitable and inclusive jobs and opportunities
  • Workplace accommodations and transition
  • Disability disclosure
  • Education planning
  • Experiential learning and skill development

Getting started

Email careeraccess@mcmaster.ca to book appointments (virtual or in person) for specialized career, job search and further education support. Let us know in your email if someone at McMaster referred you to us.

If you require accommodations or information in an alternate format, please let us know.

The CAPS team is working with Engineering Co-op and Career Services to support your employment needs and connect you with opportunities.

If you’re an Engineering student who identifies as having a disability, you’re eligible for support through this program. We know the term “disability” covers a broad range and degree of conditions, some visible and some invisible, some episodic and some lifelong. Whether you’re registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) or not, you may benefit from participating in this program through CAPS.

The CAPS team provides individualized support to assist with all aspects of career development including exploration, preparation and the building of skills and confidence.

Email kett@mcmaster.ca to start the conversation and get connected with CAPS.