The aim of the workshops is to help international students think strategically about their careers and to create medium to long-term goals. Another critical aspect of the workshops is to utilise approaches and techniques that are common in Canada but may be less familiar to new arrivals. For example many Canadian employers will look at the experiences candidates have of volunteering or playing in sports teams or community projects and other initiatives. Leveraging networks and building local contacts are also strategies that international students need to learn as they pursue their careers.

Each student participating in a Career Kickstarter workshop creates a personal plan with a number of clearly defined steps. The plan starts by identifying an overall vision which is then refined and developed into concrete goals. For each step international students identify key contacts, networks and resources that can help them along their chosen career path. For many international students finding a job that corresponds to their studies and qualifications is difficult. The Career Kickstarter Workshops provide valuable tools and insights into launching a career on PEI.