{"id":875,"date":"2014-09-06T12:31:33","date_gmt":"2014-09-06T16:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carpecollege.com\/?p=875"},"modified":"2014-12-15T12:23:53","modified_gmt":"2014-12-15T17:23:53","slug":"the-carpe-career-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carpecollege.com\/?p=875","title":{"rendered":"The Carpe Career! Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

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First year students often feel like they’re in a holding pattern when it comes to career exploration. \u00a0Not true. \u00a0Before launching into internships, you can begin dipping your toes into lots of career prospecting waters by shadowing professionals every chance you get. I recommend starting during your very first semester at college (if you haven’t already begun in high school). \u00a0Follow this\u00a0Carpe Career! Plan to get started…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Carpe Career!<\/i> Plan<\/b><\/h2>\n

1. The List.<\/h3>\n

Between now and winter break, create a list of professional people (\u2018experts\u2019) you know in your \u2018field\u2019 of interest, who might be able to provide some insights about careers.\u00a0 If you\u2019re interested in Biology, but uncertain about which biological field to explore, cast a wide net.\u00a0 Do you have an uncle who\u2019s a Biology professor?\u00a0 An aunt who\u2019s a doctor?\u00a0 What about the veterinarian you\u2019ve been taking your dog to for years?\u00a0 Are you on good terms with your high school biology teacher?\u00a0 What about that guest speaker from the local zoo?\u00a0 Wasn\u2019t there a kid on your football team whose mom was a forensic biologist with the police department?\u00a0 All of these are great people to put on your \u2018expert\u2019 list.\u00a0 What if you\u2019re interested in a very esoteric field, like computer game design, and you don\u2019t know anyone who knows anyone who does that?\u00a0 Well, have you read any gaming magazines that mention the gaming gurus who are taking that world by storm?\u00a0 Throw those guys\u2019 names on your expert list!\u00a0 It certainly can\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n

What if you have absolutely no idea about anyone in your field of interest?\u00a0 What a great excuse to pop in and see your professors?\u00a0 Ask them if they have any names.\u00a0 Many professors have contacts all over the planet. \u00a0(Good thing you\u2019ve been cultivating all those great relationships with your profs!!)\u00a0 Your campus career center probably has an alumni network you can tap into, as well, and there\u2019s nothing wrong with venturing online to see some cool TED Talks and contacting some of those \u2018famous\u2019 people.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 The Letter.<\/h3>\n

Well, we know letters have gone the way of the cassette tape, so let\u2019s just make it an email.\u00a0 Draft an email to everyone on your list (the more difficultly famous folks might take some resourcefulness to track down their addresses).\u00a0 This email should be short and sweet and to the point.\u00a0 You\u2019re a student looking for some guidance.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a template you can follow and modify as you see fit.<\/p>\n

Subject:\u00a0 Student Seeking Advice<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Dear Ms. Wisenheimer:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I am a first-year student at Clueless U. who is interested in (insert your career aspirations here) and looking for some guidance.\u00a0 I\u2019m good at (insert some stuff you\u2019re good at) and I\u2019m especially interested in (insert stuff you like, general career ideas, or courses you like here), but I don\u2019t have a good sense of how this might translate into career opportunities.\u00a0 If you would be so kind as to answer a few of these questions to the best of your ability, I would truly appreciate it.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n