finding or changing directions humanities and social scientists focus on careers in industry?...

Finding or Changing DirectionsFinding or Changing DirectionsHumanities and Social ScientistsHumanities and Social Scientists

Focus on Careers in Industry?November 2014, University of North Carolina

Victoria Blodgett, Asst. Dean, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Affairs, UConn

“It's true that businesses want employees with mastery. An accountant must understand accounting and a chemist must understand chemistry, but an education that is too specialized produces graduates who may be limited in what they can contribute in the workplace”

“I know that the candidates who were the most attractive manager prospects were those with a well-exercised mind, leadership potential, and the passion to make a difference.”

“The formula for businesses trying to compete in today's economy is simple: hire employees with the mental agility, leadership and passion to navigate constant change -- in other words, hire those who are liberally educated.”

A.G. Lafley retired as Procter & Gamble chairman in 2010 after 33 years with the company.

Victoria Blodgett, M.Ed., Asst. Dean, UConn

Median basic salary of doctorate recipients with definite commitments in the United States, by position type and field of study: 2012

TABLE 46. Employment sector of doctorate recipients with definite postgraduation U.S. employment commitments, by broad field of study: Selected years, 1991–2011

Employment commitment and sector Total

Social sciencesc Education Humanities

Number

All U.S. employment commitments

1991 15,465 2,965 3,997 1,934

1996 16,273 2,814 4,113 2,233

2001 17,304 3,013 3,710 2,681

2006 17,680 2,944 3,717 2,618

2011 14,179 2,560 2,370 1,924

Academe total Social

scienceEducation Humanities

1991 52.1 52.0 46.6 83.7

1996 48.8 53.0 46.4 81.1

2001 48.4 53.6 49.0 80.2

2006 51.1 59.7 51.0 81.2

2011 51.8 60.6 58.0 83.6

Total Social Science Education Humanities

Government

1991 8.6 12.4 6.6 2.4

1996 7.9 11.3 6.4 1.5

2001 6.5 10.4 4.5 2.2

2006 6.0 9.5 3.8 2.2

2011 8.0 11.2 3.1 2.4


Industry/businessf

1991 21.1 17.1 5.7 3.8

1996 25.9 17.9 6.3 5.2

2001 29.4 20.7 6.6 6.6

2006 25.0 14.1 3.6 3.9

2011 26.9 13.8 4.3 4.3


Not-for-profit organization

1991 6.7 12.5 5.6 5.6

1996 6.1 12.3 4.5 7.9

2001 5.3 9.9 4.4 5.7

2006 4.5 7.7 4.3 4.3

2011 5.7 9.3 5.4 5.1


Other/unknowng

1991 11.4 5.9 35.6 4.5

1996 11.2 5.5 36.3 4.2

2001 10.4 5.4 35.5 5.4

2006 13.4 8.9 37.3 8.4

2011 7.7 5.2 29.2 4.6

Foundation: Foundation: let’s build from here!let’s build from here!

Negotiating a career direction (pathway)requires three centers of knowledge:

1.You

2.Them (a potential employer and the landscape)

3.Connectors!(personal/professional networks)


Steps to follow….Steps to follow….

1. (YOU)-Know yourself, before you start talking to your network or employers (internal research).

2. (Them) Understand the organization in which you are interested (external research) Consider how your background and their future are compatible…aka what is your value to them? The work at this step is yours more than theirs.

3. Networking is critical – 70-80% of opportunities are found through professional or personal networking. Every career panelist will say the same.

4. Last step create your marketing materials (cv/cover letter) – This is often where you start…let’s talk love letters!


1. Know yourself – 4 questions1. Know yourself – 4 questions

#1 what CAN I do?

Skills Traits Experiences

#2. what do I WANT to do?

Functional Question

#3. Work Environment #4. Where do I Live?


Along the way consider these Q’s.Along the way consider these Q’s.

What are my professional goals?

Where do I see myself in 5 years? 10 years

What is the enduring professional achievement I would like to make?


Understand YOUR Priority listUnderstand YOUR Priority list

Referring back to questions 1-4…Create your priority list for

consideration in looking for your next experience

The first priority will drive how you consider your options

They are all of equal value…but others will disagree

What are the challenges here …if any?


Exercise: Exercise:

Create possibilities-future directionsCreate possibilities-future directions

Using the 1-4 grid, create possible directions to explore…understanding your priority lists

Make them variedExamples:


Part II – External ResearchPart II – External Research

When you consider your scenarios…Ask…”who offers me that opportunity?”Goal is to identify 5-10 organizations that

offer that “thing”Research is now key exercise. Alums suggest

that you spend up to 30% or your job search effort on this task. ◦Who are they◦What do they do? ◦What is the market? Etc.


Value?Value?

Does an organization value what you know to be your skills, traits and experiences? Which ones? Why? How can you demonstrate that to them? Anytime you tell a story or demonstrate something to be true it has a greater and more lasting effect.

Consider the open-air market concept


Let’s go job hunting…Let’s go job hunting…

https://norc-hr.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.dspjob&jobid=306826&company_id=15756&version=1&jobBoardId=1112

http://gongos.com/#/career/research-director-marketing-sciences/

http://www.baesystems.jobs/job-social-scientist-3548br?apstr=&codes=INDEED

http://www.fjc.gov/public/home.nsf/autoframe?openform&url_r=/public/fjchr.nsf/ByPageNumber/1


Alexandra Lord Historian at the National Park Service National Historic Landmarks Program.

Sue (Basalla) May Executive search consultant, higher education and select non-profits & Author, “So what are you going to do with that?”

Samuel Schaffer - Assistant Dean of Faculty; Assistant Director, College Counseling and Football Coach, St. Albans School. (and a Tar Heel!)

Bryn Savage - Author Relations Manager at Amazon Publishing


The key….NetworkingThe key….Networking

Networking is ultimately about two goals: ◦ Getting advice about an industry or organization ◦ Building relationships that will land you an interview

Probably most important activity for a successful job search. It is estimated that up to 80% of all job opportunities will be

discovered through networking – either personal or professional.

Alums who we speak with recommend that you spend 60% of your job search energy on this one task.

INFORMATION ONLY Social networking LinkedIN, University Career Network, Organizations, Alumni

groups, family, friends, conferences etc.


Networking cont:Networking cont:

Making a contact – Don’t be shy. ◦ Find someone whom you want to contact for their advice. ◦ Send them an introductory e-mail : ◦ What do you want to learn about their industry or org? ◦ Stress that you are seeking information ◦ Offer a phone or in-person meeting◦ Offer your contact info and suggest times to talk ◦ Keep the conversation to 20-30 minutes or less. ◦ Organize questions ahead of time. YOU are in charge of time

keeping◦ At conclusion, ask if okay to stay in touch - “is there anyone

else?”◦ Send either a written or e-mail thank you note


networking …BE CAREFUL:networking …BE CAREFUL:

Listen carefully for potential opportunities. Proactively seek more information.

Leads to research…Review the online posted job review boards. LinkedIn, indeed, craigslist, etc.

Look for an organization’s own careers page.

If an organization does on-campus recruiting (most do not), follow their process carefully.


911


Questions to ask…Questions to ask…

To prepare yourself for an interview… you can use your networking information interview to prepare

•Where does this role fit in the overall picture? •What is it like to be an employee at this

organization •Lifestyle •Culture •Support and resources •Diversity : gender, race, backgrounds etc. •HINT: When possible, apply for jobs through a

referral. You will have a better response.


Networking Cont:Networking Cont:

What to AVOID Ask questions you can find on Wikipedia or their websiteAsk questions far outside their expertise (note their job responsibilities)Ask questions so fast they cannot answer. Listen…Pretend to be someone you are not. Make promises you can’t keep.


Telling your Telling your story…story…CV/ResumeCV/Resume/Cover Letters/Cover Letters

LAST STEP!!! You can NOT write a love note unless you have some data…why you, why them?

There is no right way, just basic mistakesResearch/key words and concepts, errors, clean,

clear and concise. Tailor EACH one. No personal information, pictures etc. 1 page – 2 max. look on the web for examples


Recent exampleRecent example

Two year job search

Applications to over 200 opportunities Phone conversations with over 100 individuals Interviews for six roles in one year Consultant at the two leading management consultancies Moved to x company (where they are now) (2 roles). Led to offer at Y company which satisfies all professional goals.


Things to considerThings to consider

When selecting: industry first, organization second, role third.

Focus your search on a few industries. Consider your professional goals.

Educate yourself on key terminology and concepts. ◦ for Ex: Read business literature /Wall Street Journal /Financial Times

/Economist /BusinessWeek Could you see yourself here for 5-7 years? Does it at least satisfy two of the following:

◦ Something you care about ◦ Something you are good at ◦ Something that will pay you to do it.

Expect to work 10-20 hours/week on this effort 6-18 months


Conclusion:Conclusion:

Your job search is independent in nature. It won’t come to you – you need to go get it.

Do your research – ME/THEM/US NETWORK!!!I know this is not always easy, but so What? Was this degree

easy? Be proactive, intentional and brave Aim for a career that YOU care about, a function that YOU care about, be

careful of other voices.

Action Steps: 1. Ask yourself the 4 questions2. Understand YOUR priority – what is YOUR next step3. GET OUT…GO TALK…GET EXPERIENCE…SAY YES4. Research some organizations and tell them how YOU can help

THEM.

Expect Failures but assume success!P.S. – this is the fun part!


finding or changing directions humanities and social scientists focus on careers in industry?...

Documents

uconnvictoria blodgett

employment commitments199115

definite commitments

leadership potential

broad field of study

definite postgraduation

potential employer

selected years