In 1975 Paul Simon wrote a famous song “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”. In the first verse he writes…The problem is all inside your head she said to me, The answer is easy if you take it logically, I’d like to help you in your struggle to be free, There must be fifty ways to leave your lover.
As much as life is not as simple as songwriters make it at times, it is certainly true there are 50 ways (or many things you can do at least) to leave your current university experience and successfully advance your career with your new education. Paul Simon continued with the chorus…Ooh, slip out the back, Jack, Make a new plan, Stan, You don’t need to be coy, Roy, Just listen to me…
So let’s talk about Making a new plan, Stan!
1. Take time to consider your career direction and determine a course of action now to begin moving forward. Do not wait until you finish in April or some other time…get busy now…and put the pieces in place to reach your employment goal.
2. Be sure to register and attend the workshops series beginning on January 21st where I will take you through the key pieces of making a successful career plan that will include defining your career focus, application preparation and a very important component of being proactive.
3. Look at your schedule and block off time for your career and job search related activities. In this day and age, job search skills are just as important as your education. Treat this time like an appointment with your future and do not let anything interfere with it. If you value your career future you will give it the time it deserves.
4, If you are going to “go it alone” moving forward, take full advantage of the Sauder Career Success Cycle on Connect and go through each step to make sure you are ready for each job search activity. You will need them all over the next few months.
5. The key is…get it on paper and commit to it!
When a large percentage of new resolutions, hopes and dream die hard this time of year. It makes sense to put some intentional time into planning your future career. So let’s make a new plan, Stan!
Russell Garrett
Certified Career Consultant