Career Consulting Services

Celebrating where we've been, and our new beginnings

Graduation season is here. I don’t know about you, but I love commencements and the opportunity they provide to both reflect on the past and look with hope and excitement (and yes, sometimes a bit of nervous anticipation) toward the future. The great thing is it doesn’t even have to be your own graduation! You can just use it as a reminder to create the space (and time) to reflect on where you’ve been in the past year, what you’ve learned, how you’ve contributed, experiences gathered, and relationships built and nurtured.

Graduation finds those who have played a part in our journey celebrating as we earn a diploma and get to move the tassel over—the ritual announcing our achievement. We can’t help looking back, appreciating how we got here, and thinking about what’s next. Hopefully, we’ll also be filled with enthusiasm, inspiration, and the knowledge that we’ll craft a fulfilling, purpose-filled(and happy!) life.

No matter how long it’s been since your graduation, use this time of year to create your own personal commencement. Set aside a time and place for thoughtful reflection on where you are now and what you are transitioning from and to. How have you moved toward your chosen goals and dreams this year? Celebrate those successes and include all who have been a part of making them happen.

As you begin to move forward (after all, commencement means beginning), how well do these goals reflect who you are and what you want in your life? Perhaps they did fit you well once, or maybe they were never really your dreams (and yours are waiting just inside you). Either way, give yourself permission to choose the ones that truly inspire you to take action, resonate with you, and reflect who you are.

As a Turkish saying suggests, “No matter how far you’ve gone down the wrong road, turn back.” If you find the path you’ve been on is not right for you, this might be the perfect time to look for the one that is, and to start walking toward it. Do this thoughtfully and use the resources that will help you choose well (e.g., a career professional or quality books and workshops), but do start. Create your new beginning. Happy Commencement!

Internships…they’re not just for students and recent graduates!

 

When you are exploring a potential career or working on transitioning to one you’ve selected, gaining experience in the field of your interest can help you in many ways.  Internships are one of the best ways to get this experience.  If you are exploring a career field, an internship is a relatively low-risk, low-cost way to try it out and see if the reality of the work (including the culture of the field, the day-to-day work,…) matches your expectations.  If you know this is the field for you but are trying to figure out how to transition to it, create a network of contacts within the field, or meet the “previous experience” requirement many employers have, an internship can give you relevant work experience, people who can serve as references in your new field, and might even lead to a position with the very employer who is hosting your internship.  Internships are also a great way to try out a company you may be interested in.  It could confirm your interest in that particular organization and your view of who they are and how they do the work that they are engaged in.  Or, it could help you realize they are not really a good fit for you (in which case, much better to find this out as an intern!).     

Luckily, regardless of economic conditions, employers do host interns (in paid and unpaid capacities) and continue to consider proposals from potential interns who wish to bring their qualifications to the organization in exchange for the opportunity to gain new skills, knowledge, and experience.  At a human resources and recruiting presentation, I recently heard an expert verify that... Read the rest here:   http://careerconsultmd.com/Articles.html#anchor_63 

 

Shahrzad Arasteh, M.A., helps people create and pursue their career search plan using 10 years of experience and a holistic approach to career counseling.  She is a Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Practitioner, a Certified Professional Résumé Writer, and a Certified Global Career Development Facilitator.  If you are ready to create your career search plan and find the work of your dreams, visit http://www.careerconsultmd.com/Sample-Job-Search-Schedule.html to sign up for a free copy of her sample weekly job search schedule and tips, resources and articles.  

Copyright © 2009.  Shahrzad Arasteh.  All rights reserved.