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

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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!)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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…

9. …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

10. 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.