Developing an effective approach By Katharine Price Edwards Career Management Developing an effective approach By Katharine Price Edwards

Why do I need a career plan? It is unlikely that you currently know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life Choosing a career, or even a starting place is often very difficult You need to maximise your chances of securing an ‘opportunity’ that takes you in a positive direction

A structured career plan Definitive, often inflexible goals Prevent you from ‘tuning in’ to opportunities – very focussed Tightly time-bound Can cause frustration, disappointment when unrealistic goals are not met Prevents you from enjoying what happens in life naturally – can be very stressful Logical and linear approach, but realistic? Does life happen in a straight line?

Planned Happenstance A term, and approach to careers guidance and planning, coined by Dr Kathleen Mitchell. There are thousands of possible career opportunities. How can we be so rigid with the ‘career plan’? “… we need a plan to act on happenstance— to transform unplanned events into career opportunity” “Planned Happenstance is both attitude that you gain and actions you take. It is the view that you can create opportunities by taking action on your curiosity and on chance events.” It is not just ‘luck’, it is an approach to life that should be conscious, purposeful and on-going (you can, and should, start now!)

So what does that mean to me? Get involved in activities that interest you Volunteering, sports, music, community-based projects, part time work….. Meet other people that are interested in the same things ‘Networking’, joining in, sharing your opinions Get out there! Be active and involved, not complacent. You need to act and react. Every aspect of your life, not just your ‘future career’ Even conversations with colleagues, friends, relatives

The Planned Happenstance Process Clarify Ideas – follow your curiosity and identify your interests Remove the Blocks – wonder “how I can” rather than “I can’t because” Expect the Unexpected – be prepared for chance opportunities, such as unexpected phone calls, chance encounters, impromptu conversations and new experiences Take Action – learn, develop skills, remain open and follow up on chance events

Key Characteristics Curiosity: Exploring new possibilities Persistence: Exerting efforts despite setbacks Flexibility: Changing attitudes and circumstances Optimism: Viewing new opportunities as possible Risk Taking: Taking action in the face of uncertain outcomes

A Real-World Example Student and Course Rep, Volunteered with Hallam, got Careers Guidance, worked part time Started working at Graduation Office to help organise Ceremonies, including my own Worked in various jobs, changed jobs often as little/no career prospects/did not enjoy – but gained valuable skills and still keep networks open Knew wanted to work in education, so volunteered as Teaching Assistant in a primary school After 1 month was offered permanent position as Teaching Assistant In this role was asked if I was interested in taking on some teaching responsibilities Taught various subjects across several years as a Support Tutor…

…continued Decided wanted to experience work in HE so applied for position in Student Support Gave advice to several students about career planning and helped partner change career path Applied for MA in Careers Guidance and started my Post-grad training Asked if there were any opportunities to teach in Criminology/Psychology/Sociology/Politics Began teaching across two HE departments, combining my interest in Social Sciences and Careers Guidance

Activity: What about you? Can you each identify three areas in your life where you can see possibilities or opportunities? If so, start using those opportunities, act and react, don’t be complacent. If not, start to expand your activities to reflect your interests.