About Christine Fader

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Christine Fader is a medical careers specialist, author, and speaker

Medical School and Residency Admissions Expertise
Most of my recent work focuses on people interested in becoming doctors.

For over 20 years, I taught in the Queen's University School of Medicine with the fourth-year medical school class as they applied to and interviewed for residency programs through the Canadian Residency Match Service (CaRMS). My former work recruiting internal medicine and sub-specialty physicians and these many years of teaching CaRMS-related classes and working with medical students give me a unique, in-depth, and medically-specific career advising foundation to draw from.

My 8-year role as a community member of the Queen's University Medical School application process and recent Insider's Guide to Getting into Medical School book have resulted in many medical students standing up and yelling, "She's the reason I'm in medical school!" as I enter their classroom. Not true, but lovely of them to be so appreciative of my advising and strategic help!

Over the past 20+ years, I have worked with thousands of students as they applied to medical school or residency (both CMGs and IMGs) in Canada, US, and elsewhere and have created and delivered highly popular Applying to Meds, Meds Interviewing and Residency Application and Interviewing programs.

General Career Advising
I have assisted thousands of individuals—from high school students to mid-career professionals—to connect creatively and authentically with work or school that suits their goals and aspirations. As a career counsellor at Queen's University for 20 years, from 1998-2018, I worked with many thousands of students, from first-year to PhD, helping them strategize about career paths, degree direction, further education, and employment. Since 2007, I have also worked with students (including pre-med and pre-residency candidates), mid-career professionals, and academics here in my private practice, helping with application and interview strategies and career exploration.

Writing
I am the author of two traditionally-published career books: "Just What the Doctor Ordered: The Insider's Guide to Getting into Medical School in Canada" (Brush Education) and "Career Cupid - Your Guide to Landing and Loving Your Dream Job" (Writing on Stone Press).

I was also the editor of two editions of the Queen's campus bestselling book, "Queen's Best Resumes and Cover Letters". I was a career columnist for JobPostings magazine for two years and an Expert on CollegeXPress.com.

Additional writing, creative non-fiction and my blog can be found through my personal site.

Speaking
I am comfortable speaking with large audiences (with experience with groups as large as 500). I have been fortunate to speak at such diverse venues as The National Consultation on Career Development (NATCON), the Women in Science and Engineering Conference (WISE), and the Withinsight Canadian Student Leadership Conference.

For 20 years, I taught thousands of career strategies classes at Queen's University to undergraduates and graduates in diverse disciplines ranging from engineering to art history. I have also worked with Executive MBA and MBA students and have developed and delivered a career strategies course for technology students in community college. More about my speaking roles.

Awards
Nominee, 2019 Premier's Award (Community Services)
Winner, 2009 Queen's University Accessibility Award.

Specializations
I have been qualified to administer and interpret the personality tool, MBTI™ (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) since 1999 and was an institutional member of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) from 1998-2009. I graduated as an Ontario Velleman Award winner from a Disability Studies diploma program in 1993.

Due to my ongoing commitment to and interest in accessibility issues, I was appointed as Director Representing Persons with Disabilities to the 1000 Islands Workforce Development Board from 2007-2011. I was also very privileged to be appointed by the Minister of Community and Social Services to the Employment Standards Development Committee of the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario for two years, where we created accessiblity legislation for Ontarians.

All of the diverse people I have worked with inspire my career writing and speaking and they make me believe even more that everyone deserves to find their own "Happily Ever After" at work.

Vintage Life
Photo of DaizyBug my VW Beetle I love all things vintage and collect vintage vehicles (at least, that's my goal...to have a collection) and have enjoyed a VW Beetle (2003-2012), a Fiat 500 (2013-2019) and a Boler travel trailer (2010-present). I would love a tugboat! Read more about my vintage-inspired life at my blog: avintagelife.wordpress.com

Excerpts from my Smile File

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another. - Helen Keller

"Please pass on my gratitude to Christine for the work she has done with our students. I have heard only compliments about her helpfulness and her willingness to take the time with students." - Associate Dean, Queen's University School of Medicine

"I found out this morning that I received an offer to medical school. I feel like I'm dreaming. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you." - Master of Econ graduate

"I heard from med school X today and I was accepted! I am so excited to start this journey and relieved to not be applying again in the fall. Thank you so much for all your help and guidance throughout this process. Your expertise provided me with clarity in completing my application, and you gave me confidence to keep persisting." - Graduating Biology student.

"I matched to ophthalmology! I am over the moon and am so excited for this opportunity. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to help myself and the other students who reached out to you. Your sessions were so incredibly valuable and definitely played a role in my match." - 4th-year medical student

"I have been with other career counsellors and Christine has been the best at helping push me but at the same time building my confidence. The job search process is not easy yet Christine made it fun and in the end very successful. She clearly cares about each individual client and not just because it is her business." - Bill M.

"Working with Christine has been a real pleasure. As a career counsellor, she is forward-thinking, sincere, and empathetic – I wish that every single student in Canada had the opportunity to sit down with Christine. Thankfully, those are traits that come across in her writing. As a columnist for jobpostings magazine, Christine is always well-ahead of deadline, and her writing is an absolute pleasure to edit. She never goes for the obvious lead, and her subject matter is always fresh, insightful, and relevant; she never writes fluff pieces. She is also damn funny, and has an uncanny ability to connect with readers on a personal level, always understanding their concerns, and always leaving them feeling encouraged" - Jason R.

"Not only was Christine's academic and career resource advice invaluable, but also her support boosted my flagging morale at the right times. I would always leave her office feeling more purposeful. Christine was a valuable resource for me." - Marney S.

"Christine is a warm, reliable and insightful professional. She knows how to truly listen, and she reflects what she hears in to useful steps that help her clients find rewarding results. She is able to help clients effectively analyze their aptitudes and interests and then formulate an action plan for realizing their goals. She has a clear passion for her field, and she is committed to helping people find their passion as well. I highly endorse her abilities." - Chris W.