Improving Your Career Mobility

U-Life Professional Development Day

June 20,2012

Sharon FleshmanBarbara HewittShannon Kelly

Opening Exercise

• Before we get started, please write down your answers to the questions on the sheet of paper that you received.

Why are you here?

• I’m ready for a different job.• I’m curious.• I want to move up.• I want to get energized in my current

position.• I want to change careers completely.• I’m here for another reason.

How did it feel to move?

Potential Barriers

• I don’t have time.• I have concerns about impact

on my family.• I fear the unknown.• I’m comfortable with the

familiar.• The timing is wrong.• I don’t have the required skills

or training.• The job market is challenging.

Success Stories

• Why did you (or someone you know) make your most recent career change?

• How did you (or that person) go about making the transition?

Goal setting: Do you know what you want to

do?

• Definitely.• I have some

ideas.• Not at all.

Goal setting: When would you like to make

a change?

• Within six months• Six months to a

year• In one to two

years• In two to five

years

Goal setting: How do you best hold yourself accountable?

• Asking family/friends to check in with me

• Creating a checklist

• Setting deadlines for myself

Now what?

Paralysis?

or Opportunity?

+ =

Creating an Action Plan:Self-Assessment

• What?– Personality– Passions/Interests– Skills/Strengths

• How?– Reflections– Inventories

Creating an Action Plan: Exercise

• What do you enjoy doing the most and why?

• What was your favorite of the events/activities you attended this year and why?

• Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of and why?

• Who do you admire and why?

Creating an Action Plan:Networking

• Who?– Family/Friends– Colleagues– Alumni

• How?– Informational Interviewing– Social Media (e.g., LinkedIn)– Events

Creating an Action Plan: Professional Development

• Attending seminars & conferences (e.g., Lynda.com, Human Resources, Weigle Information Commons, U-Life Professional Development Day)

• Taking a class• Getting a degree• Participating in projects

Creating an Action Plan: Building Professional Presence

• Committee work• Writing blogs & articles• Joining professional associations• Presenting at meetings &

conferences• Volunteering

Tips for Your Next Move

• Prepare for and take advantage of “happenstance” moments/ opportunities. (Krumboltz).

• Reflect on what energizes you.• Update your resume/LinkedIn profile.• Identify a skill that you’d like to

develop and get the necessary training.

Tips for Your Next Move(cont’d)

• Schedule an informational interview.• Participate in a new project of interest.• Join a committee in your office or

across the university.• Volunteer in the community.• Schedule an appointment with a career

coach through Human Resources:http://www.hr.upenn.edu/learning/career.aspx

What will be your next step?

• I will conduct self-assessment.• I will develop a plan for networking.• I will work on my professional

development.• I will build my professional

presence.