Your Career is NOW You are already a professional Prepare for your career during your program – lightly but consistently – Note to presenters: We have built in several 1- to 2-minute interactive exchanges/activities. Please move along briskly to manage the time, so you can finish within the 25-minute timeframe. Thank you! “How many of you are interested in a career after you complete your degree?” “How you prepare for your career during your program makes a BIG difference in your success getting hired! That’s why we are her as part of your Orientation.” “Prepare lightly (we know you’re busy) but consistently. We’ll show you how.” Show: You are already a professional. If you have already had a job, or overcome a major challenge, you already know have some valuable experiences!

Professional preparation involves a strategic mindset + some initiatives Start conversations to build professional relationships Participate in events that get you hired Log your accomplishments (technical and interpersonal) Log, so you have real stories to tell employers as evidence of your skills/qualities/expertise. (Otherwise, we forget them!) It takes time to build a professional network of people who know you and what you’re good at. Find people to talk to and learn about their careers. Take advantage of the opportunities on campus to meet with employers. It’s much easier to get the kind of job you want if you think & act now!

1. Start conversations – Build professional relationships Start with brief conversations, about them Ask questions, offer value Follow up periodically Coworkers, business contacts Alumni LinkedIn College classmates, professors, staff Groups, clubs, professional societies “Start with people you know: friends, family, colleagues, classmates, etc.” Importance of Groups: Check out the newest discussions going on in your field of interest. Join groups relevant to your industry. Set up your profile on LinkedIn, and keep it updated. Share helpful ideas and insights group settings: it’s a quick way to show you’re knowledgeable and engaged. Connect with people that you’ve interacted with, and with Alumni. People you’ve met (meetings/ networking events) Friends of family/ Family of friends Family, friends

Make a Quick Connection Find a partner (someone you don’t know) Find out more about each other in 2 minutes: What got you interested in your field? Your most ridiculous Halloween costume ever? “Let’s try some quick networking. Have a brief conversation with someone near you: 1 minute each way!” Give signal after 1 minute to switch roles, so you both have the chance to “interview” each other . End at 2 minutes. “How many of you learned something new about the person you talked with?” “See, that was networking! It’s not that challenging, even when you ask more serious questions.” Congratulations, you just networked!

Step 2: Participate In Events That Get You Hired Career Fairs Employer Panels Info Sessions Professional Meetings Fall Career & Internship Fairs Recruiting seasons (when employers are most in hiring mode) are most active in hiring: Last week of September through first week of November Last week of January through first week of March Notice that many employers hire for summer internships in the fall! There are internships still in spring, but fewer, so plan on discussing internships at the Fall fair. Even if you’re not yet ready for an internship, you can research fair employers of interest and meet them at the fairs. They’re often impressed and remember freshmen who came to them early. Spring Career & Internship Fairs

3. Log Your Strengths Think back at least each semester: First (before you reveal any more of the slide): “Let’s say you worked as a barista/cashier at a bakery. What skills did you have to demonstrate to do that well?” Have them offer 3-5 ideas. Then show the next item, the log sample, to validate and complement their ideas. Ask them to pull out the log sample in their packet. The next item on the slide is instructions on taking a couple of minutes to quickly brainstorm some examples of their own. (Watch time and end at 2 minutes latest.) The last item is about keeping their log updated. Great tool for resume accomplishments and interview prep! Think back at least each semester: and briefly log those experiences & skills

How Is Industry Different from Academia?

Communicating with Nonacademic Work Audiences Different context, so different needs Start with the ‘End’: Results – Contributions – Impact (preview Conclusions + how they apply to their needs) Pace is brisk DO vs. Know Expectations based on keeping the organization competitive

Address Audience and Purpose (different in academic and industry contexts) Academia Methodology Fact therefore Conclusions :

Conclusions + Recommendations Communicating outside Industry: Start with the Main Point Academia Industry Methodology Fact therefore Conclusions Conclusions + Recommendations based on : (See Methodology in Appendix)

Base Skills CV to Resume Interviewing Negotiating

Common CV categories Summary Presentations & Posters Education Research Experience Teaching Experience Professional Experience Publications Presentations & Posters Grant Funding & Scholarships Honors and Awards Committee Work Service & Outreach Society Memberships

Resume = Summary tailored to show your match Education Technical Skills (summary) Experience Honors and Awards Leadership & Service Selected Publications Bullet accomplishments, not job tasks: From: “Researched risk factors for kidney cancer.” To: “Identified 3 risk factors for kidney cancer: x, y, and z.”

Interviewing Address these implicit questions: Can you do the job? Do you want to do the job? Will we enjoy working with you on the job? Be ready with 3-5 top relevant strengths + supporting experience as evidence Be interested: their company, their challenges, your solutions Come across as interesting, resourceful, good to work with. Enjoy the conversation!

Negotiating (Yes you can) But why Negotiate?

Look at this. What just happened? What might the hiring persons think of her response Then add the second pane.

Negotiation Strategy: Your salary research + your relevant strengths It’s collaborative. Do your salary research before you even interview (payscale.com, salary.com, glassdoor.com) Recap the top strengths you bring + potential contributions

Also: Use our Resources Meet with your Job Search Networking Resume Design Interviewing Negotiation CPDC Website Recruiting seasons (when employers are most in hiring mode) are most active in hiring: Last week of September through first week of November Last week of January through first week of March Notice that many employers hire for summer internships in the fall! There are internships still in spring, but fewer, so plan on discussing internships at the Fall fair. Even if you’re not yet ready for an internship, you can research fair employers of interest and meet them at the fairs. They’re often impressed and remember freshmen who came to them early. Graduate Career Coach Career Center > Resources > CareerShift (C|S)

Remember! Thank You! Start conversations - Make connections Log your strengths (soft skills & hard skills) Participate in events that get you hired Quick recap of all three: These initiatives will make a big difference in your success! Thank You!