Career Guidance
If you missed November 3rd's Graduate and Professional School Fair or November 16th's Law School Fair, I won't hide the fact that you missed a good time. Representatives from more than 75 institutions attended the Graduate and Professional School Fair, and reps from more than 80 (!) attended the Law School Fair. It was a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with admissions representatives from programs all over the region and the nation.
But if you missed either event, all hope is definitely not lost, because the UW hosts many year-round resources for connecting you with pre-professional information, guidance and advice.
If you're thinking of heading to Graduate and Professional School, for instance, you'll want to be sure to check out the entire webpage of resources hosted by our team here at UWCC.
And if you're thinking of heading to Law School, please tell me you've checked in with the Gateway Center's Pre-Law Advising team. If you haven't yet, don't fret - just check out their online resources, then scurry to the Gateway Center (MGH 171).
If you're interested in pursuing Health-related graduate or professional education, be sure to attend April 28th's Health Graduate and Professional School Fair, being offered from 4-7pm in the Upper Husky Den. More information will be available on the Career Center website by late Winter Quarter.
Finding the face-to-face contact with admissions reps that was offered at the fairs earlier this month can be tricky to duplicate. However, there are some options to consider:
- Some programs make department-specific visits on campus, if there's a target population they're interested in recruiting. Check in with your departmental advisers if there's a school or two that is of particular interest.
- Look at other school's events websites. Sure, it's always nice to attend these events on your home turf, but sometimes neighboring colleges and universities offer these fairs at different times, and many times they're open to the public, and students from local schools. Be sure to call the event coordinator listed on the website first, though, to ensure you're able to attend.
- Visit the admissions page of any and all institutions that you're particularly interested in attending. Often times they'll have a calendar of their recruiting fairs and activities - maybe there's one happening in a neighboring city, or even a town where you have a friend/relative and could bunk for a night.
And last but definitely not least, keep an eye on the UWCC calendar for next year's Fair dates!
Sometimes I like to think about Eeyore. Seriously, he's an amusing little guy, is he not? And I think Eeyore's important to remember in this economy. Why, you might ask? Well let me play out a little scenario below.
Eeyore: good morning. If it is, which I doubt. Of course I'll never be able to find a job in this economy, so I should probably just stay inside and eat cookies and watch Tool Academy on Vh1. And maybe I'll stay at UW a couple extra quarters so I can delay the inevitable rejection that awaits me in the great big world beyond UW.
Savvy UW job seeker's reponse: Eeyore, lose the 'tude! Didn't you know that pursuing an internship is a great way to improve your employment chances, according to research done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers? That experience outside the classroom can lead to more success after graduation? Get on HuskyJobs, you cranky creature you, find that internship, and take a step towards securing meaningful employment.
Questions on the internship process, or how to land one? Visit us online at http://careers.washington.edu/Students/Find-Jobs-and-Internships , and don't let Eeyore get you down.
To be honest, November is not one of my favorite months. The summer sun is gone, the excitement that accompanies the start of the new school year has dissipated and the beautiful red leaves have fallen to the ground. Yet, ski season and winter holidays seem eons away.
November requires resilience as we come to terms with the fact that the rain is here to stay, that we have no control over the performance of our favorite sports teams and that professors actually expect work from us! If you're struggling to maintain your motivation and mood, remember to be thankful for November's blessings (Pumpkin-flavored everything! Three federal holidays! Television sweeps!) and to spend your energy on things you can control.
Consider using November as a springboard to begin thinking about your future in 2010 and beyond. The Career Center can help you channel your mid-autumn restlessness into a productive career exploration or job search process. So be sure to come check us out in 134 Mary Gates Hall. We think you'll be thankful you did.
You are not alone. You can find work. You can find meaningful work. Job searching takes time, strategy, optimism, organization and luck. Part time / contract / seasonal / internship / co-op positions often lead to full time, career roles. Find your foot-in-the-door, do great work, develop a rock-solid reputation and be kind to others.
The Seattle Times just posted about the job market, Fortune magazine shares some useful info, One Day One Job has a super duper article for new grads, Reuters highlights using the web to mix it up, and the [free] daily updates of the Puget Sound Business Journal are key for keeping up with the Northwest economy & job market.
Some jobs are advertised. Most jobs are hidden, not visible to the public. Tapping into the hidden job market takes strategy. Network, ask for advice, meet as many people as you can, share stories & promote your strengths. Luck may play a part in your search … be open to that intangible & keep your eyes & ears open for situations and opportunities which may boost your luck. UW students & alumni can use HuskyJobs for free, year round. If you want to work on campus, go directly to the units & departments that interest you and stay in touch with their key decision makers. Other ideas are to embrace professional & alumni associations [advice & contacts!], vary up your search strategies, be patient [yet persistent!] and … surround yourself with positive supporters who can help you through this transition / potentially tough time. Believe in yourself. Go for it! Check these other posts I’ve made if needing a boost. If looking for a laugh, check out Chris Rock on Youtube and his thoughts on jobs vs careers.
Not sure what networking is all 'bout? Check this short clip out:
Excellent tips, words of encouragement and strategies from some experts:
So last week, Dawgs, my neck started hurting. My shoulders ached. I woke up with a headache, kept it most of the day, and went to bed with it each night. I started noticing the bags under my eyes and a voracious appetite for caffeine. So what's a girl to do? Spend a weekend morning in bed with coffee, her Nintendo DS and some strategically placed naps, naturally.
And guess what? I came out the other end of it feeling a lot better, thanks to taking four seemingly-measly hours to myself. And that's what I want to encourage you to do. Yes, do your homework. Absolutely, attend your internship. Of course, study for your midterms. But when you have a moment to take a real, live break - take it and run with it.
Sure there are dishes to be washed, laundry to be done, people you haven't seen in a while, grandmas you owe a phone call to, the list goes on and on. But an equally important thing, keeping our sanity and our health, is often the first thing we cross off our list. I challenge you, Huskies, to flip that upside down this week. Because in a particularly aggressive flu season, a particularly tricky economy, not to mention the tough classes, demanding jobs or internships and more - taking good care of yourself is key to staying happy and healthy. So here's to your health and happiness! 
Choices come in all shapes and sizes.
Where should I attend college? Should I sleep-in or go for a jog? Should I study abroad? Do I want sweetener with my coffee? Accounting or finance option? Should I go on that blind date? Do I want an MBA or head to law school after my undergrad degree? Internship or travel in Europe or Asia this summer?
Life, careers and yes, college, centers on all types of decisions. Choosing where to focus your energy is the ongoing challenge, and opportunity. You can pursue educational and professional endeavors that align well with your unique talents, gifts and skills you enjoy using. You can do the opposite as well – make decisions about your near and distant future that do not align well with the energizing ingredients that make you special.
My hope is that you choose the first option mentioned above, and invest time and energy in uncovering, embracing and sharing abilities / talents / core skills / activities which come naturally to you. Yes, I’m talking about strengths here. Merriam-Webster defines [strength] … as “a strong attribute or inherent asset”. Everybody has strengths. Public speaking. Active listening. Leading research projects. Creative expression. Working with kids. Persuading others. Learning new technology. Risk taking. Writing. Repairing car engines. These are just a few examples. Everybody has their own unique combination of abilities that are inner motivated, core to who they are as a person. Core strengths are motivated skills that are used repeatedly in early and recent experiences in which you have done well and enjoyed what you were doing. Placing significant strengths at the nucleus of your life and career decisions, leads to maximizing more of your potential. Trust me.
Strengths grow and evolve over time. Core strengths stay fairly consistent throughout our lives, even if the venue, activity or environment where the strength is used, changes. One key to making informed and strategic decisions about our futures, is to take action to recognize, embrace and market our inner-motivated strengths. American icon Barbara Cook once said, “if you’re able to be yourself, then you have no competition. All you have to do is get closer and closer to that essence.” Alternative rock band Audioslave sings, “to be yourself is all that you can do”. Good advice, now let’s get started.
A few days ago, NPR did a radio segment on the coywolf, a hybrid of a coyote and the gray or red wolf. No one knows for sure, but perhaps the coywolf exists because it is genetically better suited to its environment. With its wily coyote ways and its large, deer-eating wolf’s head, the coywolf is able to negotiate around humans as well as hunt successfully in the wild. The coywolf has prepared itself to keep on keepin' on.
A friend of mine graduated a few years ago with a BA in Psych and a BS in Zoology. She works with birds at a veterinary clinic and loves it. But she doesn’t know what she’s going to do next. She will eventually need to move on to a better-paying job with more responsibility, but if she doesn’t start preparing for it now, she won’t be ready when the time comes! Maybe she could hybridize her current education and her new work experience with veterinary school? Only she knows the answer. But will need something more to keep her skills formidable to her current environment!
So how are you surviving in the wild? Think about how you can augment your inherent abilities, passions, and education with something new that can help you meet your own goals. It’s never too early to start asking yourself “what’s next?”
And of course, if you need some good advice or just a sounding board to bounce your ideas off of, come down to the Career Center and let us help you! Good luck!
Speaking of wily coyotes... (clearly he's not hybridized).
So I know I can't be the only fan of "The Office" out there in Husky country (umm and by the way, I still can't get over the fact that we BEAT USC! Whose house?! Our house!).
And because of the fact that I know I can't be the only "Office" fan, I know for sure that I can't be the only one who sat on their couch last week giggling helplessly at the "Parkour" opening scene for the season premiere of The Office.
So, you might ask - how does this relate to the Career Center? Well don't you worry, Huskies - I've got you covered. Just keep on reading. :-) PARKOUR!
Students & alumni - listen up! Come on by the UW Career Center in Mary Gates Hall and pick up the 09-10 Gold Career Guide. This resource is full of tips, advice, resume & cover letter examples, info on grad school, strengths exploration, job search strategies and much more.
This is a free resource to all who want it, come on by! We'll have it as a downloadable PDF on our website soon. Have a great fall quarter!
I'm thrilled to share this blog entry with you all, written by my fabulous coworker Alyce. Enjoy!
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Multi-tasking has been getting a lot of bad press lately which, I must admit, pleases me no end. I don’t remember exactly when it began but multi-tasking came sneaking into our lives, assuming superiority and looking down its nose at any poor slobs who preferred focusing and completing a task before moving on to the next one. Every job seemed to require a “multi-tasking team player needed for fast-paced office!” My blood pressure shoots up just reading it. I’m already stressed and I haven’t even applied yet, but I’m sure as heck not going to tell anyone that I’m not a multi-tasker – it’s downright un-American.
If you had any suspicion that there might be a downside to all this m-t’ing you have probably kept it to yourself. You may even have boasted about being able to do 5 things at once and how totally bored you would be without at least 4 things to do. Not only could you manage all these tasks, but you did them well and efficiently! Well, the evidence from several studies suggests that the sense of efficiency is for the most part delusional.
Yes, people can do many things at once. But all of this switching back and forth in the brain results in mistakes, forgotten details, time wasted, and most importantly, stress and burn-out. It has become so integral to our everyday life people can hardly stand not to do several things at once. How comfortable are you sitting in a quiet room with just your own thoughts? Honestly, have you ever taken your cell phone into the bathroom with you? Mmm-hmm, that is multi-tasking.
Most jobs require multi-tasking – some intensely so. NPR did a program on the subject and spoke with a short-order cook – a job that would not exist unless the cook could do 20 things at once. How did the cook describe his job during rush hour? “Like you’re in an insane asylum. It’s almost unbearable.”
Every person I know, no exaggeration, talks about how forgetful they are – “I don’t know what I started to say, what I was going to do…” Usually it gets blamed on aging, but I hear young people saying the same things. I think the truth is that we are all trying to do too much, too fast.
Well, no surprise, m-t’ing won’t be going away any time soon. Just as we are not likely to go back to writing letters instead of texting, we are not going to collectively calm down as a society. But perhaps we can turn off our cell phones, sit down, and linger over lunch. Take a walk around your neighborhood, again no cell phone, and whoa, no iPod. Try to notice 3 things you never noticed before about the street you live. Pick a task - wash the dishes, water the tomato plants, call a friend - and just do that one thing all the way through until you are done.
With enough practice, you might lay claim to a little more quality of life and make room in your brain to remember what you were going to say or do!
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Read this! Ellen Goodman's "In multitasking Olympics, we all lose".
Actually, this entry reminds me of this post I enjoyed writing recently.
Cheers!
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