Like many national monthly observances, such as Sweet Potato Awareness month and Peanut Butter Lovers month, November is probably not widely known as being Career Development month. And yes, the aforementioned months are celebrated in November as well, so make sure you’re aware of sweet potatoes while you celebrate your love of peanut butter.
With all jokes aside, we really shouldn’t need a monthly observance to remind us to work diligently at our careers, or for some, lack thereof. Knowing how and where to start though is often easier said than done. Most career experts stress the importance of networking , yet most people don’t know how or feel uncomfortable trying. One helpful resource comes from an article that Assistant Director of Career Services, Christina Whitney recently shared with the Marywood community concerning networking, and how to do it without seeming desperate or too eager.
Another great resource for networking is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a social network that lets you connect with old friends and new, coworkers, and other professionals working within your industry. If there is someone within your industry or another industry you would like to network with, you can be introduced through connections you may already have. Whether you’re familiar with LinkedIn or new to it, you can benefit from the Alumni Association’s LinkedIn profile where we currently have over 350 connections!
Another aspect of career development, specifically when trying to find a new career, is your online presence and reputation. More and more companies are looking online before meeting with prospective employees to find any information they can on your personal as well as professional life. This article from BNet gives some great advice on how to monitor your online reputation and some examples of how destructive the power of other people’s or your own words can be.
Not only is finding a new job a nerve-racking experience, but equally as intimidating are the challenges some face when deciding upon a career change. With the meager opportunities the current job market has to offer, many are going back to school or looking to switch to more lucrative industries all together. An article from the employment sourcing website, Monster.com gives some great tips for those who are considering a career change, specifically the ten worst mistakes career changers can make.
Now that you’ve got the information, why not take advantage of Career Development month and put it to good use? What are some of your favorite resources and career tips? Share them with us in the comments below.
