A New Season – Strategies for Career Transition

As fall approaches, we prepare for a change in seasons.  Whether you’ve shifted in your career focus during your degree program or came to Penn with a transition already in mind, here are some strategies to consider.

Do some self-assessment.   Take inventory of your transferable skills and strengths and consider how you can apply them as you move forward.  Reflect on your current interests and work values and how you can identify organizations that align with them.  Self-assessment resources can be found here.

Reverse-engineer based on your ideal jobs. Look for jobs that seem like a great fit for you. Study the job descriptions carefully and make note of any gaps in skills or qualifications that you can fill during your degree program at Penn. You can be proactive by pursuing internships, class projects, volunteer work or online courses that will give you exposure and experience to prepare you for the job search. 

Set up informational interviews.  Having conversations with Penn alumni and others who have landed in careers that interest you can provide valuable insight and help you tweak your job search strategy. More information on informational interviewing can be found here and more resources for networking can be found here.

To discuss any of these strategies further, feel free to make an appointment with a career advisor.  All the best for a great fall semester!

By Sharon Fleshman
Sharon Fleshman Senior Associate Director, Nursing, Education, Social Policy & Practice