CAREER PLANNING FOR SOCIOLOGY STUDENTS SUSAN MALCOLM Career Development Centre Fall 2012
Learning Objectives I understand the need to put into words my skills, strengths and preferences as they apply to careers I know how to gather relevant career information specific to Sociology majors I know how to begin generating a list of possible careers to research specific to my Sociology degree I am aware of the career planning resources available through the Career Centre
Career Planning CAREER AWARENESS EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION SELF- AWARENESS CAREER IMMERSION GOAL SETTING
Career Planning Who here is asking themselves what can I do with my sociology degree? A more meaningful question to ask is, what are my skills, interests and personality, and how does this translate into a meaningful career path? Employers hire people, not degrees!
Self-Awareness Goals Understand yourself in the context of career selection, planning and development Gain the vocabulary to put into words your skills, strengths and preferences as they apply to careers Develop the ability to evaluate your options based on an understanding of your career preferences
Know your skills Sociology students Develop critical thinking and research skills; experience analyzing, summarizing and presenting information
Top Transferable Skills Can you identify the top transferable skills sought by employers? Communication Analytical/Research Computer Literacy Adaptability/Managing Multiple Priorities Interpersonal Abilities Leadership Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness Planning/Organizing Problem Solving Teamwork
Think About What You Offer Start by identifying and categorizing your skill themes Leadership Analytical Communication Vision Motivation Delegation Research Evaluation Writing Editing Think about WHAT you do or HOW you use a skill
Understanding Our Skills Leadership Projects Team Think about where you will use your skill
Put Your Skills Into Words Leadership Project Leadership Creating a vision Evolving Concepts Building Relationships Results-oriented leader with the proven ability to collaboratively manage projects from conceptualization through to implementation.
Self-Awareness Self-awareness is a lifelong goal Meet with a Career Consultant Career Advising Appointments Discuss your individual situation
Broadening Your Understanding Self-awareness and career awareness leads to knowledge of your transferable skills
Career Awareness Knowing what careers are available and understanding what these careers involve Not choosing a career based on a limited amount of information and little personal experience Expanding your knowledge of what is available before you narrow your options
Career Awareness Two major questions to ask yourself: 1. What careers/jobs have I never even heard of which may be a great match for me? 2. What careers/jobs or industries/sectors have I heard of but do not realize would be a great match for me? Remember the first step of self-awareness, will help you conduct effective career research
What Do You Want To Learn? Research: What factors do you want to identify for each of your career possibilities?
How To Conduct This Research Resources to research career options: Graduate Survey Data research findings The Career Resource Centre has numerous upto-date career books such as Great Careers For People Who Like Results of assessment tools you complete. Your results will profile careers that may be a good fit (for example: Do What You Are highlights possible careers that match your personality type)
More Research Sources The N.O.C (National Occupation Classification System) Services Canada tool which describes duties, skills, interests, aptitudes, educational requirements and work settings for various occupations. Working in Canada Government of Canada s leading source for labour market information and offers career information such as educational requirements, main duties, wage rates and current employment trends and outlooks Career Cruising Username: wlu Password: laurier. An online resource for career information including over 500 career profiles and a comprehensive database to search for further education programs
More Research Sources Charity Village Social Media Twitter Blogs LinkedIn
Remember You are gathering information and generating a list of possibilities!
Labour Market Awareness Understanding the impact of the changing labour market is an important component of career research: Knowing how labour market factors have the potential to impact a career field can provide you with valuable information when considering, or ruling out, career options Labour market research allows you to learn about the opportunities being created or removed from the workforce
Staying On Top Of Labour Trends Your job is to stay on top of these trends and assimilate them into your decision-making! Some labour market resources: Commit to reading the careers and business sections of the national and local newspapers (Toronto Star, Globe & Mail) Subscribe to industry magazines and e-newsletters Review reports available through Working in Canada offers reports by region and provides salary information Datamonitor comprehensive industry, company and country information Scott s Info - reliable up-to-date information on Canadian sectors Social Media
Labour Market Information While important, labour market information should not be the deciding factor in your selection of a career path However, labour market information should play a key role in your planning and career management
Weighing Your Options Many career planners move through this step too quickly Ask yourself if you can complete the following chart thoroughly for at least five different careers?
Career Development Process EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION CAREER AWARENESS SELF- AWARENESS CAREER IMMERSION After initial research, you should be able to narrow down your options to a manageable number and move into the immersion stages of your planning GOAL SETTING
Immersion Before you commit to any course of action, how can you learn even more about a career field? Spend time with a professional Identify career-related volunteer opportunities Research internships and/or co-op opportunities Identify related part-time and/or summer jobs Attend related training or educational opportunities wherever possible Participate in informational interviews and job shadow experiences
Immersion Informational Interviews The Career Centre has created an Informational Interview booklet for your reference
Learning From Alumni ASK (alumni sharing knowledge) Caseworker Investment Advisor High School Teacher Human Resources Manager Development Officer
Alumni Career Profiles
Co-ordinator: Fund Development and Communications Stephanie Blight Education: BA, Sociology and Communications, 2009 Volunteering: Liaison Co-ordinator for Orientation Week Fashion N Motion Charity Awareness Co-ordinatior If I really put my heart into something, I can accomplish anything I want.
Events Manager Andrea Harding Education: BA, Sociology and Communications, 2003 Volunteering: Laurier Student Alumni Association Further Ed: Sport and Event Marketing, Post Grad Certificate Life is too short to do something just for the money, you need to find a workplace that fits you and your personality.
Psychoeducational Consultant Beth Pollock Education: BA, Sociology and Psychology, 2000 Further Ed: Clinical Psychology, MA and PhD
Marketing Communications Coordinator Elisabeth Aruajo Education: BA, Sociology and Communications Volunteering: 4years with the Advertising Department of WLU Student Publication Office Alumni Profile Career Profiles
Immersion You can search for contacts via: ASK Alumni Sharing Knowledge and LinkedIn feature alumni for you to contact. ASK enables you to search by their current occupation, program of study, or where they work. Professional Associations many organizations have student memberships. We have some examples listed on the My Majors handouts. Warm/Cold Contacts your existing connections and leveraging existing to create new contacts Employer Events/Career Fair/Job Fair stay plugged into our Event Schedule
Strategic Volunteering Identifying strategic volunteering opportunities allows you to try out a career and build your skills and resumé Tips for strategic volunteering 1. Be clear about your goals for volunteering 2. Identify opportunities of substance 3. Research specific organizations Volunteer Organizations 1. KW Volunteer Action Centre 2. Take courses with Community Service-Learning 3. Not-for-Profits (Blue Book)
We also offer: Employment Preparation Resumé and Cover Letter Workshops and consultations Job Search Navigator and Alumni Employment Service Interview Coaching and Mock Interviews
Interested in Further Ed? Workshops Individual Advising Grad school applications and tests Professional programs (teacher education and law) Personal statements Applying to college programs
Last Tips Be open to possibilities Be strategic in how you move forward in your next steps and goal identification Develop a realistic timeline that works for you
Connect With Us! 519.884.0710 x4495 careercentre@wlu.ca wlu.ca/career facebook.com/lauriercareercentre lauriercareercentre.wordpress.com linkedin.com (Laurier Career Centre group)
Thank you for your participation! wlu.ca/career 519.884.0710 ext. 4495 Fall 2012