Skill Pathway: Career Planning & Job Hunting
Career Readiness Competencies: Career Management
Workshop Description
This workshop addresses a key component of career planning: researching the job market and learning the norms and expectations within particular sectors, organizations, and occupations. Participants learn research methods that can be used to conduct a thorough and systematic review of the professional spaces they are considering entering. This includes asking the right questions, learning the language of employers, and avoiding cynicism regarding job prospects. To help participants begin their exploration, the workshop includes an introduction to a variety of professional paths available to graduate students, including paths within academia, on the periphery of academia (such as Alt-Ac or alternative-academic careers), and outside of academia.
Learning Outcomes
(1) Explain the premise and main sections of the Individual Development Plan, and particularly the section on exploring the job market
(2) Devise a strategy to gather information on desired sectors of employment, relevant organizations, and potential positions
(3) List the key skills and competencies required for desired positions