Changemaker Program
- Ready to explore how your degree can help you contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world?
- Want to build practical skills, gain meaningful experience, and explore impactful career paths?
- Looking to earn a resume-boosting credential in just a few hours?
Welcome to the Changemaker Program! This free, flexible, self-directed program is open to students in any major and at any stage of their journey. In just 3-5 hours, it connects you to valuable resources and opportunities to explore how you can use your degree to make a difference.
Along the way, you'll gain insights into how you can align with global goals like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping you make the most of your time at SFU to prepare for what's next!
Why Join?
- Turn Inspiration into Impact: Explore how what you're learning in the classroom can translate into future opportunities
- Build Employability Skills: Develop skills that set you up for success in today's job market
- Earn Recognition: Receive a Certificate of Completion and Co-Curricular Record (CCR) recognition to enhance job or grad school prospects
Choose activities that fit your goals and complete them at your own pace over one or more semesters. Get started today!
Complete the Program in 3 Easy Steps
1. Sign up
Get important updates - 2-3 emails per semester to help you stay on track and learn about opportunities.
“The program allowed me to discover my mission, provided helpful resources, and allowed me to build skills and confidence to be able to network like a pro.”
- Jaskiran Punni, 3rd year Biology Major, Health Sciences Minor
2. Complete the Activities
To finish the program, complete ONE Career Development Activity and ONE Building Experience Activity in any order, over one or more semesters.
Career Development Activities
Choose ONE of the following:
Meet with a Career Advisor
Book a chat with a Career Advisor. We offer free personalized career guidance to students from all disciplines, available at any SFU campus or remotely via Zoom. Book through MyExperience and write "Changemaker Program" under "Additional Information" when you make your appointment.
Attend a Career Workshop
Attend a career workshop hosted by SFU Career and Volunteer Services, including those offered as part of your classes.
Building Experience Activities
Choose ONE of the following:
Volunteer
Volunteer for at least 2 hours (within the past 2 semesters). This includes any volunteering within or beyond SFU, it just needs to be a role that you aren't already using towards CCR recognition.
Attend An Event
Attend any career or changemaker-related event that helps you explore future possibilities or engage around an issue you care about (including employer or grad school info sessions, career nights, research events, student organized events, etc.). If it meets that criteria, it counts! But if you're still unsure, feel free to email us. Here are a few ideas for Fall 2024:
EVENT RECORDING
Rewriting Climate Narratives: Hope, Justice, and Youth Empowerment Through Creative Engagement (YouTube)
In this workshop, author and PhD researcher Grace Nosek is joined by youth climate advocates Jamie Hill and Uma Le Daca Jolicoeur to explore how community-engaged research and creative writing can counter climate obstruction and encourage civic participation. Watching this event recording counts towards the Changemaker program.
DECEMBER EVENTS
Future Innovators Hackathon
Sat, Dec 7 - Vancouver
The Future Innovators Hackathon is a one-day competition hosted by the Bioloop Foundation, designed to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds and skill levels to create impactful solutions for Metro Vancouver’s updated solid waste management plan. Our hackathon is focused on three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Learn more
PAST EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
Exchange Info Session
Thu, Sep 19 - Burnaby
Attend this online session to discover how you can get international education experience while working towards your SFU degree! Presented by International Services for Students.
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Actuarial Science Career Night
Thu, Sep 24 - Burnaby
Connect with professionals from the Actuarial industry and learn more about upcoming opportunities.
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Climate Cafe
Fri, Sep 27 - Burnaby
Climate Cafés are an informal and welcoming space for connecting with others and developing skills for expressing and sitting with our feelings about the ongoing uncertainty about our climate future. Meet at Renaissance Cafe - no registration necessary! Presented by SFU's Ecological Chaplain, Jason Brown.
OCTOBER
SFU Career Festival
Tue, Oct 22 - Wed, Oct 23 (Burnaby Campus) & Thu, Oct 24 (Surrey Campus)
Come spend an hour or two checking out SFU’s largest career, volunteer and grad school fair. Explore career, co-op, volunteer & grad school opportunities from 95+ organizations and join our career-themed games and activities. Presented by SFU Career and Volunteer Services.
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Climate Workshop: Salve and Balm Making
Wed, Oct 2 - Burnaby
Learn how to reduce your reliance on big-box skincare by learning to safely make balms and salves with minimal supplies, and reflecting on the energy shared by all living things. Presented by Embark Sustainability.
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Community Kitchen: একসাথে খাওয়া দাওয়া Akshate Khawa Dawa | Together We Eat
Fri, Oct 4 - Burnaby
Join Embark Sustainability, SFPIRG and SFSS Women’s Centre for an evening of intergenerational cooking and storytelling featuring Aindrila and Rea Chatterjee. Together we’ll be exploring the influence of food in Bengali culture, the immense political relevance of food, and the power of Adda (casual conversation)!
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Climate Pilgrimage: Walking with Ecological Grief
Fri, Oct 4 - Burnaby
Walking is a powerful practice. Not only is it good exercise and great for well-being; writers, poets, philosophers and mystics have all engaged in walking through their work and ideas. Pilgrimage is a versatile spiritual practice, whether we want to reflect on our role in the current climate crisis, grieve for the destruction of recent wildfires, connect with the land, or express gratitude to the natural world. Presented by SFU's Ecological Chaplain, Jason Brown.
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Garden Therapy for Self-Care
Thursdays - Join any date Oct 10, 24 - Burnaby
Join Registered Clinical Counsellor, Tricia-Kay Williams, for planting, maintaining, and harvesting a garden for self-care. Touching and feeling plants has been proven to boost moods and reduce stress. You can pair the act of gardening with therapy concepts that cultivate personal growth and resiliency. Presented by SFU Health and Counselling.
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Community Kitchen
Wed, Oct 30 - Burnaby
A free, low-barrier gathering space where students come together to cook and enjoy a vegetarian or plant-based meal. Presented by Embark Sustainability.
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NOVEMBER
Climate Workshop
Tue, Nov 5 - Burnaby
Join us for this upcoming Climate Workshop! Explore the climate crisis through an equity lens while learning new skills that support change-making. Presented by Embark Sustainability.
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SFU Grad School 101
Mon, Nov 18 - Virtual
Join this virtual information session to learn more about the application process and hear from a program or academic unit of your choice about what to expect in their programs, tips and tricks for applying, and answers to your questions.
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Emerging Professionals (Environment) Social
Wed, Nov 20 - Vancouver
This event is an excellent opportunity for young professionals to network with fellow peers, connect with seasoned industry leaders and mentors, and share stories and experiences in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. This event is hosted by EMA of BC and the BCEIA.
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Introducing Equitable Transitions
Wed, Nov 20 - Surrey
Be part of an important discussion on the role of equitable, sustainable energy access in tackling climate change. This event will cover key topics including: Sustainable Energy Security & Climate Equity, Accessibility and Advancing Renewable Energy. Plus: Enjoy a free lunch and a chance to win exciting prizes! Event hosted by Student Energy SFU and Embark Sustainability.
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Climate Cafe Vancouver
Thu, Nov 21 - Vancouver
Come join us at our next climate cafe to connect and chat about eco anxiety, community and grief. Hosted by Climate Cafe Vancouver.
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Community Kitchen
Wed, Nov 27 - Burnaby
A free, low-barrier gathering space where students come together to cook and enjoy a vegetarian or plant-based meal. Presented by Embark Sustainability.
Learn more
Climate Action Dialogue
Thu, Nov 28, Noon - 1:15pm - Online
Help shape the future of the region. Share your thoughts on innovative solutions to challenging regional issues. Join to hear new ideas and have your say.
Learn more
3. Submit Your Completion Form
Once you’ve completed both activities, fill out this Reflection Form to receive your Certificate and CCR credit.
Questions? Contact Us!
Contact Jill Eddy, Career Educator and Changemaker Lead, at jill@sfu.ca.
Are You Faculty or an Instructor?
Want to help your students earn this credential? Book an in-class presentation and integrate career development into your course with topics like career pathways, industry trends, networking, resumes, portfolios and more.