There’s a little bit of magic in the air this time of year – and no, it’s not the snow. Even when attendees are tuning in on their laptops from all around the country (and the world!), there’s a special energy from CERIC’s Cannexus conference. You can’t beat the feeling of bringing together hundreds of amazing people who are excited about career development!
Last week, more than 1,700 people joined in for three days of learning and connecting at Cannexus22. CareerWise took to social media to see what attendees were saying about the conference – and we were blown away! While we couldn’t include everything, we’ve compiled a snapshot of your conference takeaways from the week. You can also check out #Cannexus22 on Twitter and LinkedIn for more!
Curious about some of the sessions mentioned below? Attendees have access to session recordings for six months, so you can catch up on what you missed and rewatch your faves.
Ready to learn
From Day 1 of the conference, delegates and presenters were excited to dive in!
So excited for #Cannexus22 Just went thru agenda, showcasing an incredible line up of speakers across a variety of topics important to our field. Looking forward to several days of #careerdevelopment learning! THX @ceric_ca @cannexus team. Here we go! https://t.co/efq2t0ug4z
— Dr. Deirdre Pickerell (She/Her) (@DeirdrePickerel) January 24, 2022
Really pumped to be taking in @cannexus again this year. Such great learnings and collaboration to bring back to our communities! #Cannexus22
— Career Catalysts Inc. (@_careercatalyst) January 24, 2022
Getting connected
The virtual space had no shortage of opportunities for career professionals to connect with their peers.
Excited to be in @ceric_ca‘s @cannexus conference this week!
Over 150 folks across Canada have joined the @first_work team this morning to discuss Advocating for the Human Social Services Sector!
Looking forward to collaborating on issues affecting our communities. pic.twitter.com/OVWEu93MWt— Sophia Koukoulas (@sophkoukoulas) January 24, 2022
Excited to be at #Cannexus22 this morning. Have already said “hi” online to two fellow military spouse career specialists from Canada’s Military Family Services, and Trenton MFRC #GlobalCommunity #CareerDevelopment #MilitarySpouseEmployment
— International Military Spouse Employment (@IMSE_event) January 24, 2022
Feeling inspired
Attendees were moved and invigorated by last week’s amazing Cannexus22 keynote speakers.
Waneek Horn-Miller, Mohawk Olympian, Mother & Motivator, kicked off Day 1 of the conference with an inspiring presentation on “Athletics to Activism; Resilience to Reconciliation.” Horn-Miller shared how her resilience allowed her to fight her way back from a near-death experience during the Oka Crisis to propel her to be an Olympian, an entrepreneur, an activist and a bridge-builder.
After @WaneekHK’s near-death injury and suffering from PTSD at the Oka Crisis, her mother said “Don’t hand your dreams over to those who hurt you. I did not raise you to be anyone’s victim.” Such powerful words that balance love and support. @ceric_ca @cannexus #Cannexus22
— Candy Ho (何甜茵) (@CanceHo) January 24, 2022
@waneekhm thank you, thank you, thank you for opening #Cannexus22 …. For sharing your story and such inspiration #Kanoronhkwatshera #Respect #Perseverance #Accomplishment pic.twitter.com/JQcpQkMZwL
— LeahN she/her/elle ⚡️✨💫 (@Leah_Nord) January 24, 2022
On Day 2, Yvonne Rodney, President of Inner Change Consulting, delivered an uplifting keynote address on “Joy in the Now!” In this personal and pivotal presentation, Rodney helped attendees explore their relationship with joy and learn how to choose it, even during challenging times.
Brilliant Keynote by Yvonne Rodney, Allocution: Joy in the Now! Lots of imp. msgs: “when you’re mired in the ‘muck’ you have to fight for you!”
– you have the ability to change your mindset
– stop postponing your joy
– invest in yourself
– appreciate what remains#Cannexus22 pic.twitter.com/eLDFWCkHEI— Rhonda Taylor (she/her) (@RhondaWpg) January 25, 2022
“How we feel on the inside impacts our view of how we feel on the outside. Sometimes how things look on the outside affects how we feel on the inside”. #YvonneRodney #cannexus22 pic.twitter.com/7x8LUIclgP
— Douglas College CDP (@CdpCollege) January 25, 2022
Randell Adjei, Executive Director of R.I.S.E Edutainment, delivered the closing keynote on Day 3, on “Transforming Adversity into Career Purpose Using the Growth Mindset.” In this powerful presentation, Adjei shared some of his journey and explained how we can use our adversities to find purpose and make the world a better place.
“…that seed has to be buried into the darkness of soil…”-Randell Adjei from RISE talking about opportunity in the face of adversity. What a vital and brilliant example of an agent of change. Wow. I am blown away! @cannexus @CanceHo @Linda_Pardy #Cannexus22
— Hannah Celinski (@HannahCelinski) January 26, 2022
Embracing challenges is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of strength and bravery. Inspiring words from @RandellAdjei in his #Cannexus22 keynote pic.twitter.com/E0uGeF5AWI
— A. Bassingthwaighte, CCDP (@AndrewBassCDP) January 26, 2022
Going global
One of the neat things about a virtual Cannexus is that we get to welcome more delegates and presenters from outside of Canada. (We see you, Australian early risers!)
It has been gratifying to connect with those who have viewed my session at CANNEXUS 22. Many thanks to @ceric_ca for the opportunity to share this information with career professionals from across the 🌎! #careerdevelopment #researchinformedpractice #cannexus22 pic.twitter.com/nFJlQHvpqM
— Seth Hayden (@SCWHayden) January 26, 2022
I don’t get up at 2am for just anyone but for military spouse employment and career development I will! #Cannexus22
— Amanda (@al_mq) January 26, 2022
Spotlight on employers
On Monday, CERIC released the results of its new National Employer Survey. A panel of industry experts weighed in on the results at Cannexus.
Newly launched @ceric_survey indicates that executives in general are not aware of #careerdevelopmentpractitioners and what we can do to impact individuals and organizations. We have work to do, folks! https://t.co/cJn5frXZ9y #Cannexus22 #greatreshuffle #skillsgap
— Candy Ho (何甜茵) (@CanceHo) January 24, 2022
Recognizing greatness
This year’s Cannexus featured the presentation of the Etta St. John Wileman Award to Lynne Bezanson. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour, Lynne!
Congratulations to @LynneBezanson, on receiving the Etta St. John Wileman Award @cannexus for contributions to the field of #careerdevelopment. Lynne’s work has had significant impact in Canada & around the world. #careerninja #careerinfluencer #careersuperhero #Cannexus22 pic.twitter.com/r4dbgZwDbp
— Jennifer Browne (she/her) (@JenBrowneNL) January 26, 2022
Congratulations to Etta St. John Wileman Award recipient, Lynne Bezanson! #Cannexus22 pic.twitter.com/hHC8X4OmXm
— Douglas College CDP (@CdpCollege) January 25, 2022
An array of learning
With more than 150 sessions, attendees had the chance to learn about a wide variety of subjects, from student career education, to shifting work environments, to supporting immigrant employees – and much, much more.
Thrilled to hear and see @OneLifeTools @careercycles @Rich_Feller present the Reflective Practices wayfinding tool https://t.co/NbPSNzEqRd Thank you @ceric_ca and #Cannexus22 Great resource for all experiential learning makers to support connections to career development
— D Hnatchuk (@dhnatchuk) January 25, 2022
@JanBasso “education combined w/ active involvement in learning is critical to students achieving career success & making positive contributions. Students are individuals. Go beyond commonly designated diverse groups & focus on providing supports that address each of their needs” pic.twitter.com/IsTOqn5Kwd
— EnPoint (@YouEnPoint) January 25, 2022
#Cannexus22 loved this closing remark from Gladys ‘ work does not have a singular definition’ and that gives opening to people to participate as they want from gigs to start-ups, to WFH, to traditional employment, etc. #mentorshipmatters
— EnPoint (@YouEnPoint) January 24, 2022
‘treating someone with dignity doesn’t mean being nice and kind. It’s about being honest, being present and intentional. There’s always hard conversations that need to be had but be aware of how you approach the conversation and pay attention to that dignity piece’@cannexus pic.twitter.com/ygcVGuzv1d
— Quint Saskatoon (@quintsaskatoon) January 26, 2022
This presentation: Onboarding Immigrant Employees in Gateway and Non-Gateway Locations by Saul Carliner (Professor) & Alicia Piechowiak (Doctoral Candidate) at #Cannexus22 @cannexus DESERVES A STANDING OVATION!
— Rita Kamel | Career Consultant (@ritakml) January 26, 2022
Enjoying my first national Career Development Conference @cannexus feeling affirmed in my professional practice and theoretical thinking about the approach of story telling and the language of life journeys and not simply career paths.
— Witty Sandle (@witssandle) January 25, 2022
4 areas that were challenging for career development practitioners in the transition to online. Areas that were not surprising were mental health, reach to rural communities & a continuation of services. #cannexus22 #RobertaBorgen #JanetMorrisReade #DeborahBromley pic.twitter.com/ChLGLA0tib
— Douglas College CDP (@CdpCollege) January 26, 2022
“Diversity is what makes us different, and unique.
Equity is fair and respectful treatment of ALL people (the process) and
Equality is the result.
Inclusion is being “invited to the party” and
Belonging is how you make someone feel”
Brien Convery@cannexus #Cannexus22
— Quint Saskatoon (@quintsaskatoon) January 25, 2022
Getting started with the last session of day 3 of #Cannexus22 with a stacked line up of speakers! @realmrinspired we loved that you started with your story of being faced with making a career decision in a guidance counselor’s office at 16 yrs old! How crazy is that?! pic.twitter.com/QcxZfU9Jt5
— EnPoint (@YouEnPoint) January 26, 2022
The first week of Cannexus22 was incredible, but the best part may be that it’s not over yet! We hope to see you on Friday, Feb. 4 for the first-ever Cannexus Reflections day!
