Reflection Eternal

The ability to consistently reflect upon your own experiences is paramount in the process of developing your career. After all, career development is as much about knowing yourself as it is about knowing your trade. How can you decide on your ultimate profession without knowing what you want, what your strengths and weaknesses are, or who you are at your core? Furthermore, outside of career development, reflection is vital to your psychological health. Being your own enigma, while poetically captivating, leads to nihilism.

So how do you reflect? There are many ways to go about it and no single method is superior to others. All people are different and therefore each person may be partial to a certain method. I personally advocate more open forms of reflection, such as keeping a journal. First of all, writing down your feelings helps you to better express them. It allows you to deeply consider your thoughts for an extended period of time and attempt to vocalize them. Secondly, it helps you remember your thoughts. In writing down your experiences you are not only forever preserving them in a record, but you are better encoding them into your memory. Thirdly, regularly writing about one’s feelings has been shown to effectively relieve stress. If you are not partial to keeping a journal, then you can try going on walks by yourself. While you will not be recording your thoughts, the time alone may lead to new insights about yourself.

There are alternative methods if you would prefer a more structured way of reflecting. Zimmerman (2011) provides guidelines for introspection, albeit for more professional purposes. She outlines specific criteria to cover, including identifying unproductive behaviors, attitudes towards change, beliefs about self-efficacy, and strengths and weaknesses. The idea here is that in uncovering these characteristics about yourself, you can plan how to make changes and achieve specific goals in your professional life. Here is another guideline for reflection. This article emphasizes that there are four lenses of reflection: thinking back, forward, inward, and outward. These filters are most helpful if you are thinking about a specific topic or event.

In our busy lives it is difficult to make time to slow down and think. Yet, making that time is vitally important if we are to know ourselves and how to best approach the future. Even if you only have fifteen minutes to spare, on a consistent basis those fifteen minutes can go very far. It’s a small lifestyle change, but it can have large effects in the long run.





Zimmerman, J.A. 2011. “Principals preparing for change: the importance of reflection and professional learning.” American Secondary Education, 39(2), 107-114.

“Why I Won’t Hire You” by Charlie Balmer

The other day I stumbled upon an interesting/relevant article. In it, an employer discusses the subtle mistakes that job applicants make that ultimately ruin their chances of being hired. I’ve never seen anything on the topic be so blunt and stringent, but his criteria seem like good guidelines to follow.

Check out the article here:

http://lifehacker.com/5874647/why-i-wont-hire-you

“Why I Won’t Hire You” by Charlie Balmer

Hitting Speedbumps and Updating Resumes

How do you act in the face of failure? That, of course, depends on your personality. Some of us become flustered and break down. Others are apathetic and just float on. We humans have also been known to blame other factors for our failures, whether or not it is justifiable. I am of the opinion that under normal circumstances, most individuals take full responsibility for their actions and resolve to do better next time (which makes me an optimist). Unfortunately, job searching really is a whole different ballgame.

When applying for jobs, applicants will focus their resumes on their past successes, ignoring experience that is considered not relevant or not successful. This makes sense—people want to present themselves in the best possible light because, to be a little melodramatic, their futures are actively being shaped by their resumes and the decisions that result from them. Yet, some research suggests that perhaps this is not the best way to go. In his widely read book Influence (2009), social psychologist Robert Cialdini provides a thought-provoking narrative example:

“From a Former CEO of a Fortune 500 Company:

‘In a business school class I developed for aspiring CEOs, I teach the practice of acknowledging failure as a way to advance one’s career. One of my former students has taken the lesson to heart by making his role in a dot-com company failure a prominent part of his resume—detailing on paper what he learned from the experience. Before, he tried to bury the failure, which generated no real career success. Since, he has been selected for multiple prestigious positions (195).’”

While this may seem counterintuitive, Cialdini provides an explanation. According to the author, revealing a small shortcoming that is secondary to, and easily overcome by, significant positive aspects can cause an individual to be viewed more favorably (Cialdini 192-3). In doing so, one does not only present themselves as having positive character traits, but they effectively prove their reliability as a sort of authority on the subject at hand. This phenomenon can be explained in evolutionary terms. Humans have the propensity to obey an authoritative figure, which in the past proved incredibly useful for survival: if confronted with an emergency, a group of people (or what you would classify our ancestors from long ago) could organize more effectively if a single individual was directing them. In order to avoid the possibility of being taken advantage of by a single person, humans are also inherently skeptical about authority (the Jim Jones/People’s Temple incident is a notorious exception). But, if an individual can justify his position of authority, his or her authority status will be reinforced. The above narrative describes an example of this—mentioning your weaknesses portrays you as honest and retracts any doubts another person might have about your authority (or skills, in this case).

So, when you are taking a good look at your resume, you should think about breaking the traditional mold. Talking about your failures and your resulting growth may be the best aspect you can add to your resume.

Never Too Early

Last week, the Career Development Office hosted a Graduate & Professional School Fair. We had over 30 different programs represented; it was a beautiful day and great event. However, as students stood at the entrance of the JRC 101, I heard something that frightened me, “I’m only a third year student, can I still go look around?”In my mind, I thought, only a third year?! You’re on the cusp of graduation. Thus, my response was, “YES!” While there is nothing wrong with the question being asked, in that one question is an assumption that thinking about what you do after Grinnell should only start your senior year. Let me dispel that assumption!

Deciding to attend Grinnell College is your first career decision; then, what you do, learn, and reflect upon while at Grinnell are also steps within your career. You may not think of it like that, but a career is not a job and a job is not a career. A career is a culmination of your passions, strengths, and abilities. For example, maybe you want to make a career out of teaching or the arts or financial consulting. So, ask yourself, while at Grinnell, what are you doing to help yourself build your career? Are you involved in student organizations and making the most out of those experiences? Are you seeking information wherever available (e.g., strolling through the Grad Fair, attending event lectures, participating in class, taking advantage of the CDO and Academic Advising workshops, or simply asking questions to mentors and guests)? Are you taking time to reflect on your patterns, noticing what kinds of positions you gravitate toward and what skills and abilities you do and do not have?

In life, there are two kinds of people: those who survive and those who thrive. Laurie A. Schreiner (2010) discusses characteristics of thriving:

[Those who thrive] can be characterized as proactive and problem-focused, rather than reactive and avoidant. [They] take the initiative—they seek out information, take steps to ensure their success, reframe negative events so they see others’ perspectives or can find something to be learned from the experience, use humor effectively to cope, and are quick to accept the reality of their situation…[thus] they experience more positive emotions and a higher level of satisfaction with their lives—as well as greater levels of success. (p. 6)

In other words, those who thrive don’t necessarily have “it” all figured out. However, those who thrive do have an attitude of learning and initiative that they take with them daily. They see how information from various contexts and disciplines naturally integrate together and hold some purpose for them (sounds a lot like the purpose of a liberal arts education, huh?). You integrate knowledge in the classroom, so I implore you to do the same outside it as well. You will never hear me say that there is only one “right” way to go through life; each person has a unique style as to how they make choices that fit with their values. But, attitude does go a long way. So, whether you’re a first or a third year, when you pass by an opportunity to learn more about your own career development, ask yourself, are you a thriving or merely surviving?

Schreiner, L.A. (2010). The “Thriving Quotient”: A new vision for student success. About Campus, 15(2) 2-10.

Spring Career Tips

With 2010 in full swing, it is time to examine your career search goals and strategies. Take advantage of the energizing nature of the new year to move your career forward. Following are a few suggestions for 2010.

• Build your Resume: Whether you are gearing up for a job search or fully engaged in the application process, this may be the ideal time to update or evaluate your resume. Reflect on your accomplishments during the past year and use this information to develop your experience descriptions. Employers want to see your achievements, not just your assigned duties. Identify specific areas of success for 2009 now and use your resume as a written record. If you are a first, second, or third year student, this can prove invaluable when it comes time to submit your resume in your final year.
  
• Evaluate your Grad School Goals: Grad school planning requires a commitment of time and energy. Do not delay the process until your final academic year. Establish a timetable and research requirements thoroughly. Established testing dates or registration deadlines may influence your application schedule. If planning to take time off prior to graduate school, the spring semester of your senior year may be the ideal time to identify potential programs, complete entrance exams, establish credential files, and polish your personal statement.
  
• Establish Connections: Perhaps the idea of networking invokes a vague social event or images of a 1980's corporate climate. However, the importance of utilizing your personal and professional connections for career planning is clear. If the concept of networking seems unclear, it will probably produce indistinct results as well. Build clear connections that will help develop your career goals. Create or update your LinkedIn connections, discuss career/grad school plans with faculty, and utilize alumni networks. Good networking practices may blend your personal, professional, and academic connections. Also, rely on multiple avenues: attend events and workshops and make in-person/one-on-one connections, (while using technology and social media to make the process efficient and productive).
  

These suggestions only represent a small sampling of ideas for addressing career planning goals for 2010. Look for additional posts providing additional suggestions and resources. Also, check out additional views for starting your 2010 career planning:
3 Ways to Make 2010 Your Best Career Year
New Years Resolutions for Job Seekers
New Year's Career Resolutions
Academic/Ph.D. Job Search Tips

Are you a “Helicopter Parent?”

Many of you, me included, have sent or will be sending your student off to college. For some, this will be the first time. There are so many questions around what will they major in, what will the job market look like for them when graduation rolls around and will they function without us? I can assure you they will make it on their own. However, if you are in doubt, consider the perspective offered by this parent.

As the above article suggests, we, as parents have the best of intentions and are always well meaning and have the purest motives. As we navigate the waters of being a parent with children in college we can be hard pressed to find the information we need to assist our children. Knowing the resources available to them on campus to make referrals is the first step. I also recommend knowing where to go to find information that can assist our children with making informed decision. So, today I share a few resources related to the labor market to give you an idea of how the job market is fairing and how it may relate to the path your student may take.

Every state has a state data center which issues labor market reports for areas throughout the state. These reports summarize the trends in the marketplace, although as with all government reports they lag by nearly a quarter. In addition, the Federal Reserve issues business forecasts by regional territory. You may also search by region and the report provides a decent picture of the way employment is trending and an indication of what should happen in the near term future.

Before you know it, your student will be home for one of their breaks and you’ll be able to talk with them about websites you’ve investigated, resources and services you’d encourage them to use in their career center and how starting early on resume writing, internship searches and mock interviews are a good thing! Many career centers across the country work with all students, first-years through seniors to prepare them for life after college. So, sit back, fly over once in awhile for a birds-eye view, but don’t hover.