Skip to main content

Career 101: Planning Your Next Move

Are you stuck in the crossroads of switching your major?   

Are you finding yourself enrolled in classes but having no clear direction of where you might be heading after graduation?  

Has a significant other inquired with the dreaded question: “What are you going to do with your life?”

If you had a head nod to any of these questions then I hope to offer some quick advice on career planning to get you stepping in the right direction.   For 6 years I worked as an Assistant Director of Career Services at another Georgia institution.  I have many memories of students who would come to my office the Monday after graduation and remark “Hey, Mrs. Karen, I need a job!”   Some of those students had never taken advantage of the fine services we offered previously.  At the conclusion of many an appointment I can recall that most, if not all, of the visitors emphatically declared, “Man – why did I not come here SOONER?”

As an online student, I know you are super busy.  You’re juggling coursework, maybe a part time or full time job, family obligations…. just LIFE!  However, are you putting “2 and 2 together” that the whole purpose for your education is to find out what you might want to do with that LIFE?   It is crucial that you spend some energy and time exploring your options.  

Taking the time to investigate and decipher your strengths/skills along with possible career fields and actual jobs is foundational to your post-graduation plans.  Many students think this can be done pell-mell.  In reality it deserves significant time and focus. 

I wish I could say that there is ONE pathway to take but the truth is there are many fabulous ways to glean knowledge.  I would be remiss if I did not direct you first and foremost to a most logical spot. Valdosta State University’s Office of Career Services  is where I found this direct link to virtual career related concepts.  Here, you’ll find practical resources including putting together a resume and preparing for a job interview. It is also wise to take a look at the steps outlined for career planning, which includes a handy outline of what to pursue during different intervals of your post-secondary experience.

If you are the one who has no earthly idea what you might like to do “when you grow up,” I will suggest that you begin with some fundamental questions as put forth by Debra Davenport (Executive Professional Mentor, Licensed Career Counselor & Employment Agent). "What do I really feel passionate about? What do I love to do so much that I would do it for free?"   Answering those questions will help drive your search.  She goes on to state that “Your career should be a natural extension of who you are as a human being.”

Another career expert, Marty Nemko, Ph.D. (Contributing Editor, Careers, U.S. News & World Report) asks different yet just as compelling questions.   “What do you think you would prefer in your ideal job?  Working with data?  Working with people?  Working with words?  Or working with concrete objects?”

This blog post was designed to get you thinking about how to begin career exploration steps. Do your research, and let us hear your plans in the comments below!

Karen M. Lingrell, M Ed
Assistant Director of Collaborative Programs
USG eCore and eMajor
klingrel@westga.edu
678.839.5278

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spring Semester: Overcoming the January Blues

Spring semester often presents with the excitement of New Year’s Resolutions, new classes and the knowledge that spring break is just a few weeks away. However, it also brings a sense of sadness for many students as December holiday activities have concluded and the days are short. For online students, these feelings of general sadness can be even more pronounced if the student is isolated. Fewer people are outdoors during the cold days of winter and social activities have likely slowed down. Following are a few tips for feeling your best as the semester unfolds. Know that you aren’t alone. The January Blues and the February Slump are well recognized. If you have these feelings, embrace them and understand that occasional blues are normal. Get outdoors . As an online student, it’s very important that you are intentional about spending time in the sunlight. Some believe that the January blues are caused in part by the lack of sunlight (as compared to summer months). Take time for daily...
Post a Comment
Read more

USG eCampus Helps HR Staffer Find Second Chance at College After Pandemic

Jasmin Khan recalls the unease she felt when working at a hospital as a Human Resources Assistant during COVID-19. Like so many, Khan found unexpected challenges when the pandemic brought physical and emotional hardships to most Americans. Acknowledging the “chaos in her life” caused by the pandemic, she left the job she loved to take a remote role.  While remote work felt safer, she soon realized that her lack of a four-year degree limited her career opportunities. When considering pursuing a promotion, she became concerned that she had the skill set but was lacking the required level of education. No matter how impressive her experience, career progression was difficult without a bachelor’s degree.  And as a busy mother of two young children, she found flexible and affordable options for returning to school very limited. The Search for Flexibility and Quality Then she discovered Georgia Southwestern University’s online programs through USG eCampus. “It felt like a breath of ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Online Students Giving Back: Volunteer Opportunities in Georgia During the Holidays

As we move into the final weeks of class and into the holidays, many online students look for opportunities to reconnect in person and make a community impact. The holiday break is an excellent time to engage in volunteer opportunities that can boost resumes and provide personal fulfilment.  If you are working through the holidays or struggling to balance it all, consider starting small. Even a donation or a call to an elderly visit or friend is a powerful start. And as an online student, you have likely developed unique skills that can make you effective in both virtual and in-person community endeavors. Following are a few ideas for holiday volunteer work in Georgia: Ring the Bell. You can become a holiday Salvation Bell Ringer and help raise funds for disaster relief, homeless shelters, and anti-human trafficking efforts. You can sign up for as little as a two-hour shift in your local area. Share the Feast. The Big Gobble (Columbus, LaGrange, and Albany) is one of many organiz...
4 comments
Read more