Some Career Development Tips for UPEACE Students

• Link your career interests with your UPEACE educational experience.

  Choose projects, courses, topics to research and write about to explore and make connections. As a graduate student, you are able to make contacts that can last. You can also research which skills and competencies are needed in your area(s) of interest and learn how to most effectively communicate those skills you already have, and how to develop additional competencies.

• Focus on clarifying your evolving service vision/mission.

  Spend time reflecting on what is important to you, such as your values and goals and find ways to refine your vision/mission through experiences such as projects, volunteer work, internships, research and extracurricular activities

• Look strategically at the bigger picture including a longer time frame when developing your career goals, starting with your current experience of being a graduate student at UPEACE.

  It may take a while to get to where you would like to be, and your goals may change with time and experiences. Be open to trying things out and taking small steps to build skills, confidence and contacts. You may need to make a lateral move or start with an internship to gain international experience.

• While you are at UPEACE, start to build your network of professionals in your chosen field: include classmates, professors, alumni, previous and current mentors

There are amazing opportunities to meet with people from all over the world, some of whom may have experience and contacts to share with you if you ask, and, in turn, share with them about your career interests.

• Write your student profile and put it online by January first. You can always edit and update it. It will help you to connect with others who share your interests and they may be able to help you with advice and contacts.
• Schedule a meeting with the Career Development Advisor on campus to edit your profile draft and update your CV/Resume. Christine may be contacted via email at coatis@upeace.org to set up an appointment.
• Polish interviewing, resume writing and networking skills through Career Development Workshops which will be offered again at the beginning of the second semester.
• Develop a system that works for you to keep track of people you have met, or learn about, who share your interests. Contact them periodically to share what you are doing at UPEACE and to ask for their advice.

• Make a list of people involved or previously involved in projects in which you are interested in working and exchange personal email addresses before you leave UPEACE.
• Develop Plan A, Plan B and Plan C to transition to what you want to do next after UPEACE. Be patient and persistent in gaining additional experience, which can be part-time or volunteer. Consider taking an interim job with flexibility and/or an internship to gain additional experience.
• As a graduate student, you can develop additional professional connections in your area of interest through your research, papers and presentations. Share what you do and stay in touch with people in organizations you admire.
• Create opportunities by being in the right place at the right time. Research what most needs doing in your field of interest and start contributing in any way you can.
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