Your UBC journey doesn’t end with graduation. In fact, it’s just the beginning. As you graduate, you become part of a global community of over 110,000 Arts alumni—that’s more than 110,000 potential mentors and friends, stories, and lessons learned.
To help you in the next steps of your journey, we spoke to Arts alumni to distill ten pieces of wisdom for the Class of 2026.
1. Follow what gives you meaning in a multifaceted world
Barret Nash, BA'10
Finding (or creating) work that is meaningful to you and where you can feel proud of what you do every day can make a big difference. Especially in a world that is rapidly evolving when it comes to types of jobs and how we do work, pinpointing and pursuing your passions can help provide direction.
“Don’t try to predict the future,” says Barret Nash (BA’10, Interdisciplinary Studies). “The job market is always going to change. Rather, become passionate about something and follow the things that give you meaning. But also, be ambitious. Become the best at your field and you will never want for a job.”
And if you’re ever in doubt, know that your Arts degree has prepared you for a complex world that is constantly changing.
“The world provides so many opportunities and I feel that what UBC and my Arts IDST degree gave me was the intelligence, flexibility and professionalism to handle myself in a complex, ever-changing world,” says Barrett.
Find an issue you’re dying to fix and make it your north star so that after a tough day, you can look up, see where you’re going, and course correct if you need to.
2. Seek out mentors early and often
Marie Jette, BA'03
Many Arts alumni attest not only to the importance of networking, but also to how impactful it can be to seek out mentorship.
For Marie Jette (BA’03, Linguistics), some of the most meaninful turning points in her career came from having mentors. She credits her mentors for helping her find and pursue opportunities in her field as well as broaden her horizons.
“My biggest piece of advice is to seek out mentors early and often,” she says. “[H]aving mentors to support and challenge you can make all the difference.”
Focus on building strong, authentic relationships. People might forget your name, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel... Approach your work (and your network) with curiosity, kindness, and professionalism. It pays off in the long run.
3. Stay curious and open to the unanticipated
Beata Chami, BA'12
You might not yet know exactly what you want to do after graduation or you may end up shifting in an unexpected direction, and that’s okay.
When Beata Chami (BA’12, Political Science & French, Hispanic and Italian Studies) started imagining her career, she thought she was going to pursue law. However, through having conversations to learn more about the profession and if it was truly for her, and by saying “yes” to various opportunities that sounded interesting, she eventually found her passion in a completely different space—organizational psychology.
“It’s okay to be interested in multiple areas and to explore different paths. Early in your career, experimentation is an important part of the learning process. Don’t be afraid to fail forward. Each experience, whether it works out or not, helps clarify what belongs in your journey. […] Everyone I’ve met so far with a fulfilling career has taken a unique and often unanticipated path. Stay curious, take chances, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s worth it, I promise.”
4. Leverage your Arts degree
Tsavo Neal, BA'15
During his time at UBC, Tsavo Neal (BA’15, History) fell in love with research, writing and learning how to think critically about complex problems. He has found these skills invaluable in his career in the tech industry and as an entrepreneur in ways he never expected.
“I learned how to formalize my thinking and become a more persuasive, compelling writer—a skill that’s surprisingly rare in the workplace,” Tsavo says. “While my engineering and science friends were mastering technical skills, I was mastering something equally powerful: the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.”
He came to realize that Arts degrees offer skills that are widely transferable to a variety of jobs and careers, offering Arts alumni the opportunity to think bigger about their futures.
As an Arts alum, you possess skills that will continually open doors throughout your career. You may be surprised by where they can take you.
5. Get comfortable with criticism and rejection
Kian Mintz-Woo, BA'08
No matter what field you ultimately pursue, it’s likely you might face a lot of criticism and rejection, especially at the start. It’s important to view each of these instances as a growth opportunity and to not take them personally or as a reflection of your self-worth.
“Everyone experiences a lot of rejection before hearing a ‘yes,’” says Kian Mintz-Woo (BA’08, Philosophy). “[Y]ou need to be comfortable with criticism (and even welcome it), and open to rejection. […] Developing some stoicism or resilience is key to success.”
6. Take advantage of each interview
Cindy Lin, BA'19
Getting ready for your first interviews after graduation can be daunting, but you can also leverage them as learning opportunities. Cindy Lin (BA’19, Psychology), found that the numerous interviews she went through helped her identify her strengths and weaknesses, better preparing her for subsequent job applications.
“I went through various types of interviews—phone, Skype, and in-person with a written test,” says Cindy. “Each instance provided me with valuable insights and learnings, helping set me apart from my peers in terms of job search experience.”
There are many ways you can hone this skill, such as asking your friends and family to interview you, or trying to secure interviews for roles where you might not be as vested in the outcome. That way, you can feel more prepared when interviewing for your dream job.
7. Advocate for yourself
Luiza Giacondo Teixeira, BA'23
Luiza Giocondo Teixera (BA’23), attributes taking initiative and being proactive as the most important factors contributing to her career journey and success. While at UBC, she worked on turning these skills into habits through actively seeking out opportunities. This ultimately laid the foundations for where she is today.
“Advocate for yourself. The work you do is only meaningful if other people know about it. You can’t hide yourself. Recognition comes from putting yourself out there and allowing others to see and recognize your value.
There are many ways and opportunities through which you can advocate for yourself. You might, for example, do so through networking or in interviews. Having a well-developed resume can help you build a foundation upon which to demonstrate your skills and achievements. You can even create a portfolio!
8. Tap into UBC career resources
Mormei Zanke, BA'18
Even though you may be leaving campus, the UBC community and the Faculty of Arts will always have your back.
Alumni like Mormei Zanke (BA’18, Creative Writing & English) have found that leveraging UBC’s wealth of career resources, as a student or alum, has been helpful in building their careers.
“The Arts Co-op Program was really valuable in setting me up for a future career. Both logistically—resume building, the application process, interviewing—and also skills-wise.”
As a UBC alum, you have exclusive access to a vast array of services and support through the alumni UBC Career Development program. There, you can explore job opportunities and find practical tips and resources to support your job hunt. Arts Career Strategist Robyn Stalkie also holds career drop-in advising sessions for Arts students and recent grads, as well as workshops to support your next steps.
Don’t be scared to reach out and use all of your resources at UBC. I truly believe in the power of fostering your community... and in using the UBC Career Centre for assistance. These tools and tactics are integral resources that can help you plan your future.
9. Never stop learning and stay on the lookout for misinformation
Kailey Peckford, MA'23
As a business founder in the field of sexual violence prevention, Kailey Peckford (MA’23, Sociology) views her UBC educational background as a strong foundation upon which to add new knowledge relevant to her work.
“I still regularly keep up with new research (from sociology and other disciplines). Because we are always learning more as a society, it’s critical to stay plugged into new developments and to seek out ongoing education wherever possible.”
In addition to staying on top of new research, innovation and advancements, she also stresses keeping an eye out for misinformation. She comes across a lot of misinformation in her industry and believes it’s important to leverage the training you gain as a student to access and assess information.
10. Find balance and look after yourself
Spencer van Vloten, BA'14
In professional life just as at university, it’s important to look after your mental health and prevent burnout.
“Finding a balance is important,” says Spencer van Vloten (BA’14, Political Science). “Learn to recognize when you need to take a step back or recharge—you will be better for it.”
Spencer recognized this early on during his studies at UBC. He studied hard but didn’t make school his entire life and found outlets in volunteering, writing, and relaxing and reflecting with his cats by his side.
Find out what outlets or support systems work best for you and leverage them. Whether it be spending time with family and pets or immersing yourself in a relaxing hobby, don’t be afraid to take your foot off the gas pedal when you need to.
Rest, because the work is long and we need you well.
Go forth Class of 2026! We’ve got your back.
From practical workshops to alumni networks—we’ve collected resources to help you launch your career as you start your next chapter.
