Finding or Changing DirectionsFinding or Changing DirectionsHumanities and Social ScientistsHumanities and Social Scientists
Focus on Careers in Industry?November 2014, University of North Carolina
Victoria Blodgett, Asst. Dean, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs, UConn
“It's true that businesses want employees with mastery. An accountant must understand accounting and a chemist must understand chemistry, but an education that is too specialized produces graduates who may be limited in what they can contribute in the workplace”
“I know that the candidates who were the most attractive manager prospects were those with a well-exercised mind, leadership potential, and the passion to make a difference.”
“The formula for businesses trying to compete in today's economy is simple: hire employees with the mental agility, leadership and passion to navigate constant change -- in other words, hire those who are liberally educated.”
A.G. Lafley retired as Procter & Gamble chairman in 2010 after 33 years with the company.
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Median basic salary of doctorate recipients with definite commitments in the United States, by position type and field of study: 2012
TABLE 46. Employment sector of doctorate recipients with definite postgraduation U.S. employment commitments, by broad field of study: Selected years, 1991–2011
Employment commitment and sector Total
Social sciencesc Education Humanities
Number
All U.S. employment commitments
1991 15,465 2,965 3,997 1,934
1996 16,273 2,814 4,113 2,233
2001 17,304 3,013 3,710 2,681
2006 17,680 2,944 3,717 2,618
2011 14,179 2,560 2,370 1,924
Academe total Social
scienceEducation Humanities
1991 52.1 52.0 46.6 83.7
1996 48.8 53.0 46.4 81.1
2001 48.4 53.6 49.0 80.2
2006 51.1 59.7 51.0 81.2
2011 51.8 60.6 58.0 83.6
Total Social Science Education Humanities
Government
1991 8.6 12.4 6.6 2.4
1996 7.9 11.3 6.4 1.5
2001 6.5 10.4 4.5 2.2
2006 6.0 9.5 3.8 2.2
2011 8.0 11.2 3.1 2.4
Total Social Science Education Humanities
Industry/businessf
1991 21.1 17.1 5.7 3.8
1996 25.9 17.9 6.3 5.2
2001 29.4 20.7 6.6 6.6
2006 25.0 14.1 3.6 3.9
2011 26.9 13.8 4.3 4.3
Total Social Science Education Humanities
Not-for-profit organization
1991 6.7 12.5 5.6 5.6
1996 6.1 12.3 4.5 7.9
2001 5.3 9.9 4.4 5.7
2006 4.5 7.7 4.3 4.3
2011 5.7 9.3 5.4 5.1
Total Social Science Education Humanities
Other/unknowng
1991 11.4 5.9 35.6 4.5
1996 11.2 5.5 36.3 4.2
2001 10.4 5.4 35.5 5.4
2006 13.4 8.9 37.3 8.4
2011 7.7 5.2 29.2 4.6
Foundation: Foundation: let’s build from here!let’s build from here!
Negotiating a career direction (pathway)requires three centers of knowledge:
1.You
2.Them (a potential employer and the landscape)
3.Connectors!(personal/professional networks)
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Steps to follow….Steps to follow….
1. (YOU)-Know yourself, before you start talking to your network or employers (internal research).
2. (Them) Understand the organization in which you are interested (external research) Consider how your background and their future are compatible…aka what is your value to them? The work at this step is yours more than theirs.
3. Networking is critical – 70-80% of opportunities are found through professional or personal networking. Every career panelist will say the same.
4. Last step create your marketing materials (cv/cover letter) – This is often where you start…let’s talk love letters!
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
1. Know yourself – 4 questions1. Know yourself – 4 questions
#1 what CAN I do?
Skills Traits Experiences
#2. what do I WANT to do?
Functional Question
#3. Work Environment #4. Where do I Live?
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Along the way consider these Q’s.Along the way consider these Q’s.
What are my professional goals?
Where do I see myself in 5 years? 10 years
What is the enduring professional achievement I would like to make?
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Understand YOUR Priority listUnderstand YOUR Priority list
Referring back to questions 1-4…Create your priority list for
consideration in looking for your next experience
The first priority will drive how you consider your options
They are all of equal value…but others will disagree
What are the challenges here …if any?
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Exercise: Exercise:
Create possibilities-future directionsCreate possibilities-future directions
Using the 1-4 grid, create possible directions to explore…understanding your priority lists
Make them variedExamples:
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Part II – External ResearchPart II – External Research
When you consider your scenarios…Ask…”who offers me that opportunity?”Goal is to identify 5-10 organizations that
offer that “thing”Research is now key exercise. Alums suggest
that you spend up to 30% or your job search effort on this task. ◦Who are they◦What do they do? ◦What is the market? Etc.
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Value?Value?
Does an organization value what you know to be your skills, traits and experiences? Which ones? Why? How can you demonstrate that to them? Anytime you tell a story or demonstrate something to be true it has a greater and more lasting effect.
Consider the open-air market concept
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Let’s go job hunting…Let’s go job hunting…
https://norc-hr.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=306826&company_id=15756&version=1&jobBoardId=1112
http://gongos.com/#/career/research-director-marketing-sciences/
http://www.baesystems.jobs/job-social-scientist-3548br?apstr=&codes=INDEED
http://www.fjc.gov/public/home.nsf/autoframe?openform&url_r=/public/fjchr.nsf/ByPageNumber/1
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Alexandra Lord Historian at the National Park Service National Historic Landmarks Program.
Sue (Basalla) May Executive search consultant, higher education and select non-profits & Author, “So what are you going to do with that?”
Samuel Schaffer - Assistant Dean of Faculty; Assistant Director, College Counseling and Football Coach, St. Albans School. (and a Tar Heel!)
Bryn Savage - Author Relations Manager at Amazon Publishing
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
The key….NetworkingThe key….Networking
Networking is ultimately about two goals: ◦ Getting advice about an industry or organization ◦ Building relationships that will land you an interview
Probably most important activity for a successful job search. It is estimated that up to 80% of all job opportunities will be
discovered through networking – either personal or professional.
Alums who we speak with recommend that you spend 60% of your job search energy on this one task.
INFORMATION ONLY Social networking LinkedIN, University Career Network, Organizations, Alumni
groups, family, friends, conferences etc.
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Networking cont:Networking cont:
Making a contact – Don’t be shy. ◦ Find someone whom you want to contact for their advice. ◦ Send them an introductory e-mail : ◦ What do you want to learn about their industry or org? ◦ Stress that you are seeking information ◦ Offer a phone or in-person meeting◦ Offer your contact info and suggest times to talk ◦ Keep the conversation to 20-30 minutes or less. ◦ Organize questions ahead of time. YOU are in charge of time
keeping◦ At conclusion, ask if okay to stay in touch - “is there anyone
else?”◦ Send either a written or e-mail thank you note
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
networking …BE CAREFUL:networking …BE CAREFUL:
Listen carefully for potential opportunities. Proactively seek more information.
Leads to research…Review the online posted job review boards. LinkedIn, indeed, craigslist, etc.
Look for an organization’s own careers page.
If an organization does on-campus recruiting (most do not), follow their process carefully.
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
911
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Questions to ask…Questions to ask…
To prepare yourself for an interview… you can use your networking information interview to prepare
•Where does this role fit in the overall picture? •What is it like to be an employee at this
organization •Lifestyle •Culture •Support and resources •Diversity : gender, race, backgrounds etc. •HINT: When possible, apply for jobs through a
referral. You will have a better response.
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Networking Cont:Networking Cont:
What to AVOID Ask questions you can find on Wikipedia or their websiteAsk questions far outside their expertise (note their job responsibilities)Ask questions so fast they cannot answer. Listen…Pretend to be someone you are not. Make promises you can’t keep.
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Telling your Telling your story…story…CV/ResumeCV/Resume/Cover Letters/Cover Letters
LAST STEP!!! You can NOT write a love note unless you have some data…why you, why them?
There is no right way, just basic mistakesResearch/key words and concepts, errors, clean,
clear and concise. Tailor EACH one. No personal information, pictures etc. 1 page – 2 max. look on the web for examples
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Recent exampleRecent example
Two year job search
Applications to over 200 opportunities Phone conversations with over 100 individuals Interviews for six roles in one year Consultant at the two leading management consultancies Moved to x company (where they are now) (2 roles). Led to offer at Y company which satisfies all professional goals.
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Things to considerThings to consider
When selecting: industry first, organization second, role third.
Focus your search on a few industries. Consider your professional goals.
Educate yourself on key terminology and concepts. ◦ for Ex: Read business literature /Wall Street Journal /Financial Times
/Economist /BusinessWeek Could you see yourself here for 5-7 years? Does it at least satisfy two of the following:
◦ Something you care about ◦ Something you are good at ◦ Something that will pay you to do it.
Expect to work 10-20 hours/week on this effort 6-18 months
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn
Conclusion:Conclusion:
Your job search is independent in nature. It won’t come to you – you need to go get it.
Do your research – ME/THEM/US NETWORK!!!I know this is not always easy, but so What? Was this degree
easy? Be proactive, intentional and brave Aim for a career that YOU care about, a function that YOU care about, be
careful of other voices.
Action Steps: 1. Ask yourself the 4 questions2. Understand YOUR priority – what is YOUR next step3. GET OUT…GO TALK…GET EXPERIENCE…SAY YES4. Research some organizations and tell them how YOU can help
THEM.
Expect Failures but assume success!P.S. – this is the fun part!
Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn