Laura Hambley to speak at Grow Your Career Conference

A significant portion of our waking hours are dedicated to work. The relationship between people and their jobs has long fascinated University of Calgary alum Dr. Laura Hambley PhD. For the past 25 years, she has examined work and career psychology, captivated by the vital role that careers play in the lives of individuals, and she will be bringing her expertise to this year’s Grow Your Career Conference, hosted by the UCalgary Alumni Association.

“Work is a big part of people's identities, and there's a lot of psychology involved in careers,” says Hambley, BA’97, MSc’99, PhD’05. “I found that it wasn't as popular an area of psychology compared to the others that my peers were focused on. So that's where I centred my research, early practicum and internship work.” 

Hambley credits UCalgary for giving her the opportunity to explore two areas of psychology through graduate studies. “There’s the counseling psychology side, which is my master's degree, and the organizational side of the field, which is my PhD,” she says. “They're both in very different but overlapping parts of the field. The emotional and human side of the person that I learned in counselling psychology very much applies in workplaces. I've been able to do research, projects and entrepreneurial ventures in each of those spheres.” 

A passionate business leader, Hambley is the founder of Canada Career Counselling and host of the Where Work Meets Life podcast, through which she promotes work-life wellness, reaching thousands in Canada and around the world. She has also published two psychological thrillers under the name Laura Lovett, Finding Sophie and its sequel, Losing Cadence. She received the Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as for her work as a Global Influencer in 2018.

“Entrepreneurs … thrive with a lot of change, a lot of risk, excitement, new ideas and innovations, and that's exactly what I am,” says Hambley.

Grow Your Career Conference 

On Feb. 1, Hambley will present “Navigating Your Career: From Uncertainty to Fulfilment” as part of UCalgary’s Grow Your Career Conference. She will discuss crucial topics like the ever-changing labour market, ongoing economic and global uncertainty, and increased levels of mental health concerns.  

“The world of work is becoming more complex and unstable,” says Hambley. “Now, it is even more important to be in the driver’s seat of your career and be very intentional about it.” 

She will also cover subjects such as the art of career-pivoting at different stages, understanding success, and learning how to move forward in a healthy and balanced way. 

“Career fulfilment applies to all industries; everyone can relate to it in some way. Even if you're thriving in your career, you need to be nurturing it,” says Hambley. “I make it practical, so I will have lots of anecdotes and tips and that you or your loved ones can apply immediately. Down-to-earth is my approach.”   

Hosted by the UCalgary Alumni Association at the Downtown campus, the Grow Your Career Conference will also include “Creating the Conditions for Success”, a keynote with Olympic wrestling gold medallist Erica Wiebe, and will be preceded by two free webinars earlier in the week on Jan. 28 and Jan. 30.

Visit the Grow Your Career Conference website for more information about Hambley’s and other sessions, and to register.