Improving Your Career Mobility U-Life Professional Development Day June 20,2012 Sharon Fleshman Barbara Hewitt Shannon Kelly

Opening Exercise Before we get started, please write down your answers to the questions on the sheet of paper that you received.

Why are you here? I’m ready for a different job. I’m curious. I want to move up. I want to get energized in my current position. I want to change careers completely. I’m here for another reason.

How did it feel to move?

Potential Barriers I don’t have time. I have concerns about impact on my family. I fear the unknown. I’m comfortable with the familiar. The timing is wrong. I don’t have the required skills or training. The job market is challenging.

Success Stories Why did you (or someone you know) make your most recent career change? How did you (or that person) go about making the transition?

Goal setting: Do you know what you want to do? Definitely. I have some ideas. Not at all.

Goal setting: When would you like to make a change? Within six months Six months to a year In one to two years In two to five years

Goal setting: How do you best hold yourself accountable? Asking family/friends to check in with me Creating a checklist Setting deadlines for myself

Now what? Paralysis? or Opportunity? +=

Creating an Action Plan: Self-Assessment What? – Personality – Passions/Interests – Skills/Strengths How? – Reflections – Inventories

Creating an Action Plan: Exercise What do you enjoy doing the most and why? What was your favorite of the events/activities you attended this year and why? Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of and why? Who do you admire and why?

Creating an Action Plan: Networking Who? – Family/Friends – Colleagues – Alumni How? – Informational Interviewing – Social Media (e.g., LinkedIn) – Events

Creating an Action Plan: Professional Development Attending seminars & conferences (e.g., Lynda.com, Human Resources, Weigle Information Commons, U-Life Professional Development Day) Taking a class Getting a degree Participating in projects

Creating an Action Plan: Building Professional Presence Committee work Writing blogs & articles Joining professional associations Presenting at meetings & conferences Volunteering

Tips for Your Next Move Prepare for and take advantage of “happenstance” moments/ opportunities. (Krumboltz). Reflect on what energizes you. Update your resume/LinkedIn profile. Identify a skill that you’d like to develop and get the necessary training.

Tips for Your Next Move (cont’d) Schedule an informational interview. Participate in a new project of interest. Join a committee in your office or across the university. Volunteer in the community. Schedule an appointment with a career coach through Human Resources:

What will be your next step? I will conduct self-assessment. I will develop a plan for networking. I will work on my professional development. I will build my professional presence.