After this past year, a lot of us are looking for a fresh start.
After this past year, a lot of us are looking for a fresh start.
GradConnections bi-Weekly for online students

April 20, 2021

Tips for Grads: Setting career goals in 2021

Career Development
After this past year, a lot of us are looking for a fresh start, and for some that means in their professional life as well. Despite social distancing, it’s a great time to start planning the next step in your career thanks to a rebound in employment in recent months. Need help getting started? Here are a few tips on setting career goals:
Assess – Take the time to really think about your skills, values, and interests and then seek out career paths that are reflective of them.
Informational interviews – Reach out to your connections who are currently working in jobs or the field you’re interested in and set up a remote meeting to pick their brain.
Connect – While networking might feel more difficult these days, try getting creative in your approach. Schedule socially distanced coffee chats, attend video meetings, and stay active on networking sites.
Link up – LinkedIn isn’t just for job searching. Join groups within your field of interest, post your accomplishments, write an article, ask questions, and build your presence.
Stay an active learner – Keep honing in on your skill set, look into free online classes or training programs, and check out online conferences at a reduced rate.
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Professional and Career Development: How to read job descriptions
If you’re starting your job search and feeling overwhelmed by a continuous stream of long job descriptions that don’t necessarily fit in with your experience, you’re not alone. Check out this short video for tips on what to do when you don’t feel like you quite fit the criteria a company is looking for or if you don’t have enough years in your field.

Wellness: Practice good financial wellness
Having your finances in order can help alleviate a lot of stress and give you a sense of security in uncertain times. GradReady is UW–Madison’s free online financial wellness program that will teach you about money management, credit, budgeting, and other finance topics. Head to their site to create your account.

Upcoming Virtual Events: 
All events are listed in Central Daylight Time (CDT). Register in advance to receive the event link.
A Writer's Retreat
Saturday, April 24 | 9 am - 1 pm
Monday, April 26 | 9 am - 1 pm
It’s time to get moving with your term paper, dissertation, thesis, novel, research project, or other major writing project. And time is exactly what a writer’s retreat offers. Retreat participants will engage in brief goal-setting exercises followed by time to write, with Writing Center staff on hand for consultation.
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Photos by UW–Madison, University Communications.
 
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