While this blog will not be published until July, commencement is only a few days away at the time of writing. Commencement has me reflecting on my own winding career path, and remembering how it can be scary (but also exciting!) to jump into something new.
However, embracing the unexpected does not just apply to graduating seniors—students of all years at Penn may encounter a decision or an option to stray from a path they had intended or imagined for themselves. This could be an internship opportunity within a completely new-to-you industry that you had never thought about, or within the same industry surprisingly liking one firm over another despite your initial thoughts. The internship and post grad job search process can be a whirlwind!
While I was reflecting on the idea of being flexible and adaptable when a plan might go astray (as I have had to do many times throughout my own career). I came across an article on the muse from early 2020 titled “ 9 Pieces of Career Advice We Wish We Had Sooner” by Kaylenn Schaefer (https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-pieces-of-career-advice-we-wish-wed-had-sooner). Many of these resonated with me as I thought about my own path from a Bachelor of Science in Marine Ecology to being an associate director as Penn, and I am hoping dear reader that you will find them helpful as well. While you can of course read more in the article linked above, I have chosen to highlight 3 items that I feel will resonate the most.
- Job-Hop More Thoughtfully
If you feel stuck or disenchanted with a current role, make sure before you think about quitting you research what it is you do want to do—and set up a game plan for your exit strategy. How would this new goal help move you towards your larger goal? Remember to be practical when considering a new move.
- It’s ok to Follow Your Gut
Trust your instinct when considering a new opportunity or maybe even navigating a situation within a job you really enjoy, never doubt that you have a plethora of unique experiences that make you—well you—and you have knowledge for those experiences that may offer more insight into something then anyone on the outside.
- Success Isn’t Just Found in the Big Pond
It can be tempting to jump into the “race to the top” when pursuing internships or post graduate roles—of course you want to make the most of your Penn experience, and prestige and titles can be important. However, it is also important to consider other factors such as your mental health, commuting time, and work/life balance and understand that you can have an amazing career basically anywhere—its what you make of it and how you leverage your skills.
In conclusion, there are a lot of pieces of advice to consider when evaluating opportunities. It is important to be flexible, to follow your gut, and keep an open mind. The twist and turns of a path are often where you learn the most. And of course, if you find yourself after reading this reflecting on your own journey, please come visit career services, we are always happy to help!
