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FROM News Penn State: Six Attributes of Career Self-Reliance |
Former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright was asked if there were any guarantees to lasting employment in the future. In her response, she said the only guarantee is of lasting employability; fostered by a positive attitude, strong communication skills, the ability to get along with others, the ability to solve problems and to accept change.![]() Mike Brown at Orientation, 2015 Within business and organizations, the old employment contract of job security and life-long employment has disappeared. Because of increased technology and the need to be competitive in the global marketplace, companies are constantly restructuring their workplaces. Payroll costs account for up to 65% of total operating costs. “Doing more with less,” has become the mantra of American business during the last 15 years. The rules have changed and hardworking, loyal “company people” have found themselves in search of new jobs or new careers. It is this concept of employability that must become a part of our mindset. Employability or career self-reliance rests with the individual not the employer. The best symbol of the old employment contract was the “career ladder.” A representation of the new contract is the “career lattice,” or “jungle gym” in which one’s career will take an upward, diagonal, horizontal or even downward route. Under the new employment contract, we must develop a “self-employed” attitude; becoming self-directing managers of our own careers. I believe these attitudes toward employability or career self-reliance are indispensable for future success: Own your career. View your work as owner of your business. Career success is now your responsibility, not your employers. Set goals; plan the steps to achieve them. Regard your skills and technical abilities as products, being always aware of your marketability. Assess and evaluate your accomplishments, abilities and personal strengths constantly. Chronicle your achievements quarterly, or at least yearly. Benchmark your competencies to others in your field or industry. Remain competitive and never become complacent. Standing still is moving backwards! Be open to multiple career directions. If you could paint your “career mosaic,” what would each of those tiles say about you? Manager, writer, student, lecturer, furniture refinisher, volunteer, activist, hobbyist. You may have a “portfolio” career based on your skills, interests and values. Your opportunities to develop secondary work will become greater. At the same time, you will create multiple streams of income and work satisfaction. Become a continuous learner. Enhance your work and life skills. Determine areas of personal or professional development that may be holding you back. Attend seminars and training seminars to acquire new skills. Pursue advanced degree, continuing education and certificate programs. Participate in lectures and speaker series. Be passionate about your work. Do what you love and love what you do. View your work not as a job but as a value contribution to your employer, and a series of career accomplishments to bolster your own “product portfolio.” Constantly re-think, re-define and re-construct your work. Be your own agent of change. You may reinvent yourself for three or four career changes and have 10 to 20 different jobs. The key is being proactive, rather than reactive. The beauty if this wisdom is simple. It will change. As companies continue to reinvent the way they do business, we too must reinvent our worklife. With a new mindset of employability, however, you will control the choices. Mike Brown, Director, Smeal MBA Career Services |
FROM News Penn State: Holiday Networking |
The holidays are upon us! How can you use them to network your way to a stellar job? Even as a prospective student considering an MBA, you can start the search for your summer internship now. While some job seekers assume everyone they might want to reach will be out over the holidays, the smaller numbers of resumes and cover letters submitted then are likely to get more attention. Additionally, a firm’s new fiscal year may start in January, which can be the busiest hiring month of the year AND “people hire people they know and like,” so don’t be a stranger! Many parties happen in December. Whether it’s your own office party or an event through a health club, social or religious organization, make it a point to be there and introduce yourself. Ask questions that show interest in people’s lives and career paths. If you commonly work with a small group within a larger firm, challenge yourself to interact with at least three colleagues whom you don’t know well and learn something about their passions. You never know who they might know in your target industry or what they’ve done in a previous job that may align perfectly with your career goals. While it’s true that many folks add precious vacation days to national holidays to lengthen time away to visit family or flee to warmer climates, some do stay in the office to get work done in peace. Reach out to alumni from your undergraduate alma mater or other contacts you can find through LinkedIn at some of your target firms and request an info interview, even in the first couple weeks of December. Keep the note short and professional, asking for no more than 30 minutes to get insight on their function and how things work in the company. Briefly state your background and what motivates you to learn more, based on your knowledge of the firm. Indicating that you realize they may not have any openings at this time could relieve their potential concern that you’re reaching out just to ask for a job! Include your availability for a call or meeting over the next week or so and if you’re local or planning to visit the area on a particular day, offer to meet at the office or a local coffee shop, if that’s more convenient. Meeting in person can boost your credibility and demonstrates a clear willingness to invest in the relationship and your career. A large percentage of people credit networking with helping them land a job. Building relationships can take time, so starting this process early is wise. At the end of your meeting, be sure to ask with whom the person recommends you speak, given your specific interests. This will enable you to join existing networks and get a broad array of perspectives on your function and industries of interest, either to help you clarify your goals or to prepare you for interviews. Happy Holidays! Emily Giacomini Associate Director, MBA Career Services ![]() Emily Giacomini at Orientation 2015 |