1. PhD Colloquium: Dual Track Couples June 28, 2012 UC Berkeley Yvonne Lefort, MA Career Coach/Intercultural Trainer www.yvonnelefort.net

2. RELOCATING IS A MAJOR LIFE TRANSITION

3. Top Stressful Life Transitions Death (spouse, family, friend) Death (spouse, family, friend) Marriage/Separation/Divorce Marriage/Separation/Divorce Getting pregnant/having a child Getting pregnant/having a child Changing employers/jobs/careers Changing employers/jobs/careers Spouse starting/ending work Spouse starting/ending work Beginning/ending school Beginning/ending school Change of residence Change of residence Change in financial situation Change in financial situation

4. Transitions Cycle Endings Endings Neutral Zone Neutral Zone New Beginning New Beginning

5. Endings Job/Professional Identity Job/Professional Identity Self-confidence Self-confidence Belonging to a community Belonging to a community Support system Support system Social/Professional Network Social/Professional Network Comfort level Comfort level Independence Independence Structure/routine Structure/routine

6. Challenges for Parents Lack of family support Lack of family support Finding affordable babysitting or daycare Finding affordable babysitting or daycare Meeting other families with children Meeting other families with children Different schools/educational system Different schools/educational system Stress of parenting Stress of parenting Dealing with effect of moving on children Dealing with effect of moving on children

7. Confusion/limbo Confusion/limbo Loss/grief Loss/grief Anxiety/Depression Anxiety/Depression Redefining sense Redefining sense of self of self Realignment with personal values Realignment with personal values Opportunity for growth Opportunity for growth Neutral Zone “The Pit”

8. Renewed Energy Renewed Energy Sense of clarity Sense of clarity New Opportunities New Opportunities Taking Action Taking Action New Beginning

9. Rebuilding Your Social Life Get a paid job or volunteer work Get a paid job or volunteer work Join organizations Join organizations Take classes Take classes Network Network Create your own group Create your own group Resources: http://yvonnelefort.net/index.php/resources Resources: http://yvonnelefort.net/index.php/resources http://yvonnelefort.net/index.php/resources

10. Finding Volunteer Work Benefits: Benefits: fill gaps on resume fill gaps on resume meet people and make contacts meet people and make contacts contribute expertise contribute expertise gain new skills gain new skills find out about job openings find out about job openings enhance self-esteem enhance self-esteem Find volunteer jobs/organizations: Find volunteer jobs/organizations: www.helpnow.org, www.volunteermatch.org www.helpnow.org, www.volunteermatch.org www.helpnow.orgwww.volunteermatch.org www.helpnow.orgwww.volunteermatch.org

11. Finding A Job Begin with self-assessment Begin with self-assessment Develop elevator pitch, update resume, practice interviewing Develop elevator pitch, update resume, practice interviewing Develop a job search strategy Develop a job search strategy Networking/informational interviews Networking/informational interviews Direct contact with employers Direct contact with employers Advertisements Advertisements Recruiters Recruiters

12. Job Search Resources Career Centers Career Centers Libraries Libraries Career Coaches Career Coaches Chambers of Commerce Chambers of Commerce Job clubs/support groups Job clubs/support groups Professional organizations Professional organizations Social Media: Linkedin, Facebook Company websites General job search sites Area-specific job search sites Business journals, local newspapers, Book of Lists

13. Tips for Changing Careers Assess interests, values, skills Assess interests, values, skills Explore career alternatives Explore career alternatives Identify and fill in gaps Identify and fill in gaps upgrade or develop new skills/knowledge upgrade or develop new skills/knowledge Investigate educational opportunities Investigate educational opportunities Volunteer, freelance Volunteer, freelance Resources: Career coaches, career-planning books Resources: Career coaches, career-planning books

14. Nurturing Your Relationship Make time for your relationship Make time for your relationship Think like a team Think like a team Talk, talk, talk Talk, talk, talk Listen, listen, listen Listen, listen, listen Develop a culture of appreciation Develop a culture of appreciation Remember to have fun! Remember to have fun!

15. Make A Plan Create a vision for your life as individuals and as a couple Create a vision for your life as individuals and as a couple Set personal/professional goals Set personal/professional goals short-range (6-12 months) short-range (6-12 months) medium-range (1-5 years) medium-range (1-5 years) long-range (5+ years) long-range (5+ years)

16. Final Tips Take responsibility for creating the life you want Take responsibility for creating the life you want Prioritize your values Prioritize your values Be open to new possibilities Be open to new possibilities Step outside your comfort zone Step outside your comfort zone Support and appreciate each other Support and appreciate each other