The contagious energy of Cannexus21 was palpable as the conference got under way this week, bubbling up in platform chats, networking sessions, Q&As and on social media. Although some shared memories of Cannexus past in snowy Ottawa, many were excited to welcome peers from all corners of Canada – and around the world – for CERIC’s first-ever virtual Cannexus National Development Conference.
The first week brought many engaging presentations with strategies, research and food for thought for attendees to apply to their work. While there were a few technical bumps in the road, the Cannexus community’s adaptability and goodwill were on full display as we navigated the experience together.
CareerWise took to social media this week to see what attendees were saying about the conference – and we were blown away! While we couldn’t include all of the dozens of posts you’ve shared about your Cannexus experience so far, we’ve compiled a few below to offer a snapshot into Week 1 of the conference.
Want to share your Cannexus takeaways with your peers? Comment below or use #Cannexus21 when you post on any social media platform. You might be included in our Week 2 roundup!
Day 1 of Cannexus kicked off with an incredible Keynote presentation from Zabeen Hirji, Executive Advisor, Future of Work at Deloitte. The session chat was flying, with many posting about Hirji’s reframing of “soft skills” as “power skills.” Social media also lit up with takeaways.
Brilliant keynote address at #Cannexus21 Zabeen Hirji had many “quotable” moments. One take away may be how each of us can “Turn this moment into a movement.” After all “if not you, who . . . if not now, when” #CareerDevelopment #CareerDevelopmentMatters
— Dr. Deirdre Pickerell (@DeirdrePickerel) January 25, 2021
After #Cannexus21 keynote, I’m reflecting on the ways I can continue integrating collaborations – horizontal, within, and outside my department – extending compassion in appointments & workshops, and establishing trust and empower those whom I work with
— Phil Miletic (@philmiletic) January 25, 2021
Great kick off for #Cannexus21! Amazing keynote from Zabeen Hirji! #careerdevelopment #careeradvice pic.twitter.com/5jS9Pi7CzN
— Jennifer Browne (@JenBrowneNL) January 25, 2021
The inspiration continued as the sessions went on.
How you show up in your life, is how you show up in your practice. R= Risk If you’re not taking any risks in your life, how can you expect your clients to? What kind of risk can you take in the next 15days? #HerkyCutler #Cannexus21 pic.twitter.com/wLaoLPWmaR
— Douglas College CDP (@CdpCollege) January 25, 2021
Many attendees were engaged by discussions of how to improve youth career education, reflecting on Jim Bright and Liv Pennie’s “Using Chaos to Build Student Agency”; JP Michel’s “Challenge Mindset: Who Works on a Pandemic?”; and the Learning Lab: Career Decision-making in High Schools: The Whos, Whens and Hows, among other sessions. Participants were excited to hear from the Rideau Hall Foundation about Catapult Canada: a national platform and community of youth-serving organizations that will share knowledge and resources. They also took time to think about the impact of virtual learning on students’ mental health.
Most #careereducation is focused on transitions at the end of one’s school career. We need to shift our focus to a WHOLE school (all grades) approach to encourage students to explore all of their career possibilities. @OliviaPennie @DrJimBright #cannexus21 #hsdcdle #hsdlearns
— Kirby Krause (@KirbyLKrause) January 25, 2021
Wow, what an amazing day of learning and reflection at #Cannexus21! Just finished the last session of the day with findings on an important longitudinal study done with high school students on career exploration and outcomes. I’m fired up! #oneofmypassions #ilovemywork
— NSW’s School Liaison-SHS, MWD, & LCKVW High Sch’s (@tasco_charlene) January 27, 2021
‘Youth need to know that the world needs them…prove it by showing them important challenges they can help with’. Yes! Loving the presentation by @jppsychology at #Cannexus21. He is a wonderful presenter.
— Adrienne Tom, Executive Resume Writer (@Adrienne_Tom) January 27, 2021
While many sessions left attendees feeling filled up with enthusiasm, Cannexus presenters also shared many practical strategies to bring to career development work that resonated with attendees.
(Re)active and (Pro)active Approaches are identified in #NancyArthur‘s #Cannexus21 lecture. The structures that we work in lead us to sometimes be reactive in our approach. But through collaboration and sharing of resources help us to work on strategies for long-term goals. #CDPs pic.twitter.com/3tr5Yr44rK
— Douglas College CDP (@CdpCollege) January 25, 2021
Gray Poehnell @ Cannexus 21. Great take away on words and actions and the key role they have in finding ‘you’ @CESBC_CA @cannexus pic.twitter.com/kDdplaMOL5
— Allisson Badger (@allissonbadger) January 27, 2021
Sessions on working with Indigenous communities, social justice, and diversity, equity and inclusion also struck a chord with participants in a conference centred around the theme of “Career Development for Public Good.”
Miigwech @maher_trina for sharing your stories,insight&experience about engaging w/Indigenous communities. Key learnings:
– listen
– ask questions
– don’t make assumptions
– be patient
– understand your “why”
– engagement needs to be meaningful&have purpose#Cannexus21 @cannexus pic.twitter.com/VZdeG7yKQt— Rhonda Taylor (@RhondaWpg) January 25, 2021
“Social Justice is a key value that career practitioners need to embrace more than ever, in a world that is uncertain, unstable, inequitable and the availability of meaningful work is insecure’ @cannexus #Cannexus21
— Quint Saskatoon (@quintsaskatoon) January 25, 2021
Some refreshing insights on how to ensure inclusive career guidance practices, as well as a reminder about intersectionality and intersectional feminism – off to look into this more now. Thanks Tara Buchan at #Cannexus21
— Emma Flynn (@emfly) January 25, 2021
Cannexus Day 2 brought a powerful keynote from Simon Fraser University Professor Kris Magnusson, who shared his insights about working with emotions in career helping. A testament to attendees’ enthusiasm, as the session closed, one participant remarked in the chat, “Thank you! Thank you! Can’t wait to watch the presentation again.”
In these unprecedented times, it is key to start your career practice with the end in mind. A great mantra for all of us to adopt. Thanks for sharing @careerhawk 😊#Cannexus21 #mentorshipmatters #mentorshipchangeslives pic.twitter.com/gVhhTQN4fo
— En Point (@YouEnPoint) January 27, 2021
“Working with client emotion is not only working practitioners scope of practise, but it’s an ethical obligation to do so” – Kris Magnuson@cannexus #cannexus21
— Quint Saskatoon (@quintsaskatoon) January 27, 2021
You also let us know what it was like for you to attend Cannexus virtually, from your kitchens, living rooms and offices. We definitely weren’t jealous of those joining from places warm and sunny while we weathered #ONStorm. 😉
I’m loving the ability to go back and re-watch sessions for #Cannexus21. My schedule was a bit messed up this week, so I wasn’t able to watch things when they were first on.
— Noah Arney (@ndarney) January 27, 2021
Enjoying the sessions and whole virtual set up! Great job @ceric_ca #Cannexus21
— BCCDA (@BCCDA1) January 25, 2021
Hello @cannexus #cannexus21 from Australia… & Hi @CanceHo Candy! Here you go, as requested. Recent weekend summer pic – #GoldCoast, #Queensland. 🇦🇺🌴☀️😎 pic.twitter.com/SLgtXsqdxv
— Jennifer Luke 🌳🥾🎨📷💻☕️ (@aClearOutlook) January 25, 2021
@ceric_ca #Cannexus21 #selfies hit differently when everything is remote#WorkingFromHome#ConferencingFromHome pic.twitter.com/GUBnjSnybc
— A. Bassingthwaighte, CCDP (@AndrewBassCDP) January 25, 2021
And of course, we’d be remiss if we neglected to include the #PetsOfCannexus.
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So looking forward to connecting @Cannexus21! In a normal year I would have arrived yesterday, had dinner with wonderful colleagues, and marveled again at the beauty of the parliament buildings from the Westin. This year I have a new conference companion…1 year old Luna! pic.twitter.com/PyELfyD3vg
— Tannis Goddard (@TannisG) January 25, 2021
This is the fierce Yorkie I mentioned during my #Cannexus21 keynote; she is not a fan of wind it seems … pic.twitter.com/PIRssHqusz
— Kris Magnusson (@careerhawk) January 29, 2021
Thanks for following along with Week 1 of CERIC’s virtual Cannexus National Career Development Conference! We’re so excited for Week 2 and we can’t wait to see what your takeaways are.
