Students interacting with booths at a career fair, exploring opportunities at a university networking event with various tables and informational displays.

Grad Week 2025 Supports Students Through the Transition to Life After U of G

Transitioning from university to the next phase of life is exciting but can also bring challenges, with many questions about what comes next. To support students during this important time, the Alumni Affairs and Development department, in partnership with Student Experience, the Central Student Association, and the Experiential Learning Hub, has developed Grad Week initiatives.

Grad Launch

Grad Week kicks off with Grad Launch, a resource fair designed to help make the transition to the next chapter smoother for graduating students. It provides an opportunity to connect with representatives from various U of G services that can assist post-graduation.

The event helps graduates understand life after graduation and introduces them to valuable U of G resources. Services featured at the event include Manulife, TD, Open Education, and many more. A highlight of this year’s event was the job fair, where over 20 employers, from local businesses like Sleeman Breweries and Connect Tech Inc., to organizations in various sectors like Pet Hospitals and Police Services, met with prospective grads.

The Experiential Learning Hub also played a key role, critiquing resumes and cover letters, helping students prepare for the workforce. Students were also career-ready after getting their professional headshots taken at the event.

Students engaging in a conversation at a professional programs fair, discussing options like MBA, graduate, and thesis-based programs with informational displays in the background.

Last Lecture

The Last Lecture is an opportunity for reflection and inspiration, featuring talks from a graduating student, a faculty member chosen by the graduating class, and an alumni member. This year’s alumni speaker, Mark Harrison, BA ’88, founder of the MH3 Collective is a passionate change-maker focused on social impact. He’s co-founded initiatives that support Black entrepreneurs and create accessible education for children. He serves as Board Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto and an active board member for organizations like the CAMH Foundation and the JUNO Awards. Mark’s impact is seen in the communities he uplifts, and the barriers he helps break down.

Last Toast
A final event for graduates to bid farewell to their undergraduate years and welcome their new status as alumni. The event includes a toast from a graduating student and the U of G Alumni Association to the Class of 2025. This year, the Last Toast event sold out the Brass Taps, creating a lively and memorable atmosphere. . As a keepsake, guests were given U of G-branded champagne flutes to take home, commemorating the celebration of this significant milestone.