Community NotesRegardless of your education or experience, if you're itching for career exploration, change is possible! It's all about identifying your own transferable skills, staying keen on how to learn and prepare for new responsibilities, and marketing yourself as THE hero of the hiring committee's campaign. Learn how through collaborative discussion with colleagues in this guided breakout session.
The interactive discussion topics in this session will tackle four main challenges that we all face on the road to change positions: how to recognize the relevant skills you already have, how to acquire the new skills you need, how to effectively convince others that you have those skills, and how to find satisfaction and not feel stuck in your current position while doing all of the above.
“Help! I’m a barbarian but I want to be a wizard: Planning for career shifts.” - Amanda Bullington, University of South Carolina
Are you tired of your life of combat and long to use magic? “I’m a Barbarian but I’d Rather be a Wizard: Planning for Career Shifts” will help you to brainstorm the who, what, why, and how of your career shift. Participants will use a character sheet to uncover their motivations, pinpoint their interests, determine new training opportunities, and identify potential allies.
“I forgot I had that spell: Recognizing your transferable skills” – Stephanie Adams, Tennessee Tech University
(If possible, please bring your resume/CV (works in progress are fine!), job descriptions, and “goal” job ads as well as a willingness to share.)We’re going to review resumes and/or job descriptions and compare them to your “goal” job listing in order to identify your current skills and prior experiences that can be emphasized in order for you to take the next career step. Recognizing that position and career changes sometimes require sacrifices, we’ll also discuss the need for understanding what you can or cannot live without.
“Roll for persuasion: buffing your bardic charisma to sell yourself in networking & interviews” - Porsche Schlapper, Marquette University
You might be dreading this moment - you've just been asked "Why should we hire you as our Wizard when your work history is entirely as a Barbarian?" - you believe in yourself, but how do you convince the hiring committee to believe in you as well? This group will discuss the parts of navigating career changes that can't be put on paper: being ready for the direct questions, staying cool under pressure, navigating yourself into new groups without feeling like a total outsider, how to not forget to mention that Totally Cool Project that's Super Transferable, and more. We'll also discuss techniques for generally speaking with confidence and authority in professional settings, and you'll be able to walk away with a Bard's Kit of skills to take on your next elevator pitch opportunity.
"Learn to love the sidequest: Finding happiness in unplanned positions & while job searching" - Molly Ostendorf, Cardinal Stritch University
Almost all of us have felt like we’re stuck doing side quests when all you really want to do is continue on your main quest & progress your story. But what’s important to remember is those side quests can provide very important skills, allies, & items that you wouldn’t have had if you hadn’t been on them in the first place. This group section is for those who feel like they’re currently stuck in a job that isn’t developing the skills they feel they really need & want advice about how to make the most of it. It is also for those who’ve completed their (maybe multiple) side quests & want to bestow their knowledge & advice upon others!
