Strategic Early Career Planning Rachel O’Brien, Allegheny College Preparing for an Academic Career in Geosciences Workshop: Summer 2011

Strategic goal(s) Tactical actions The hierarchy of planning

Paving the path of your career

“Look, Ma...no hands!” Paving the path of your career

Who am I as a professional? Where do I want to be? What do I want to accomplish? Strategic Planning

Academics as intellectual entrepreneurs A key strategic notion

Entrepreneurs Autonomous (need to control and direct) Attracted to a challenge; hardworking Proactive; sense of urgency Conceptual ability, comprehensive awareness, numerical literacy

Entrepreneurs Ability to accept & create change Self-confident Disciplined Good health, emotional stability Focused on the customer

Intellectual entrepreneurs The personal driver: Curiosity coupled with the joy of generating and sharing new knowledge PLUS The Academy: Intellectual autonomy with a foundation of financial and logistical support EQUALS An opportunity to take charge and run with your ideas and imagination.

A maritime analogy You earn a captain’s license  You are selected to be a commander  Your institution provides the vessel and a navigational chart  You choose when and where to journey for the next years

You have the power & privilege of navigating Move forward intentionally, mindfully, strategically Remember your responsibility to others Enjoy the journey!

Research and observation Planning and managing Developing Participating Getting you there: key tactical actions

Research and observation on getting a job and early career success –Reading literature, attending workshops, building networks, using mentors Planning and managing Developing Participating Key tactical actions

Research and observation Planning and managing –All aspects of your career Developing Participating Key tactical actions

Research and observation Planning and managing Developing –Your teaching, your research, your personal skills Participating Key tactical actions

Research and observation Planning and managing Developing Participating –As a citizen of your Department, institution, profession –As an individual: locally, globally Key tactical actions

Strategic: Job candidate metric Tactical: Semester on a page Examples of planning and management tools

Semester on a page

Job candidate metric

Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work......