Alumni Career Tips & Tricks to Guide Graduating Students
Leslie C. Lynn
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Inside Ross
Congratulations to all of the graduating students this spring! It is truly an exciting time of life. In my current role in coaching alumni in their career transitions and planning, I have been able to gather several pieces of advice and lessons learned in their career journeys that might be helpful for you as you embark on your new career:
1) Maintain your resume. Yes, there are no more Impact deadlines on your horizon, but you create the most effective and accurate bullet points on your resume when the experience is fresh in your mind. Update your resume twice a year to reflect your current project experience, new roles, etc. That way it will be ready to go when they are ready to promote you internally or for whatever reason, you find yourself looking externally for opportunities.
2) Stay connected. The importance of networking grows further after you leave school because you don't have a diverse network of talented individuals at your fingertips. It takes time and diligence to maintain your network with school alumni, work colleagues, community leaders or fellow volunteers, etc. It's a good idea to join a professional organization or interest organization so that your connections are expanded beyond your employer. Keep your profile and contact information on iMpact current.
3) Look for high growth opportunities and projects. Seems like an obvious one, but look for ways to bring value to your new role and expand its impact. Remember your strengths and interests and try to utilize them. If you can't use them, over time you may find it necessary to change roles.
4) Understand your career path at your new company. Keep abreast of your organizations high level strategies for success and be sure that your trajectory is in line with those strategies. Seek feedback from your peers and boss in helping develop your skills. Assuming all things go really well, ask yourself if you like the career opportunities (and demands) which lie ahead in your career trajectory at your company. If you don't, think about plan B.
1) Maintain your resume. Yes, there are no more Impact deadlines on your horizon, but you create the most effective and accurate bullet points on your resume when the experience is fresh in your mind. Update your resume twice a year to reflect your current project experience, new roles, etc. That way it will be ready to go when they are ready to promote you internally or for whatever reason, you find yourself looking externally for opportunities.
2) Stay connected. The importance of networking grows further after you leave school because you don't have a diverse network of talented individuals at your fingertips. It takes time and diligence to maintain your network with school alumni, work colleagues, community leaders or fellow volunteers, etc. It's a good idea to join a professional organization or interest organization so that your connections are expanded beyond your employer. Keep your profile and contact information on iMpact current.
3) Look for high growth opportunities and projects. Seems like an obvious one, but look for ways to bring value to your new role and expand its impact. Remember your strengths and interests and try to utilize them. If you can't use them, over time you may find it necessary to change roles.
4) Understand your career path at your new company. Keep abreast of your organizations high level strategies for success and be sure that your trajectory is in line with those strategies. Seek feedback from your peers and boss in helping develop your skills. Assuming all things go really well, ask yourself if you like the career opportunities (and demands) which lie ahead in your career trajectory at your company. If you don't, think about plan B.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Teen Msn Chat
posted 7/29/09 @ 4:42 AM EST
I think the economic crisis will make a lots of new careers, so students should have enough confidence to find their own work. Do not know how many people think that write their curriculum vitae into clothes is a good way. (Continued…)
AVCHD Converter
posted 10/23/09 @ 2:19 AM EST
I've learned a lot from your article,thank you.
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