熊雇佣熊:找到你的“切入点”

Beginning a job search may feel daunting, whether it’s the first time 为 a recent college 研究生 or a mid-职业生涯 transition 为 a more experienced professional. 一次 you’ve begun the process and narrowed down your search to a target profession or company, 你可能会问:“我怎么才能进入?”?”

Conversations with 北科罗拉多大学 校友 Liz Ota Cheng '02 and Ryan Galitz '07 help answer that question 为 anyone beginning their search, moving to a new community, or who may be exploring a new 职业生涯 path.

Liz is a human resources professional working in Honolulu, HI. 她的人力资源经验 touched numerous industries ranging from insurance, hospitality and now engineering 施工管理. Hawaii is home to more than 1,000 UNC 校友, due in large part to the longstanding recruitment pipeline of Hawaii high school students who attend UNC then return home to begin their 职业生涯s. 但即使是当地人和家人 ties, finding your “in” especially during a challenging labor market takes time and 努力.

Most professions, including HR, offer an association or membership organization. 经常 these organizations are national, and some may even have on-campus ties to current 学生团体. Liz encourages recent 研究生s to start with the local affiliated chapter or club of your respective organization.

Through a quick Google, LinkedIn or 脸谱网 search, you are likely to find an organization or association aligned to your profession or professional interests. 其中很多 organizations are heavily oriented toward networking through events, conferences and 会议.

While in-person events are less common during the pandemic, you should search 为 virtual and online networking opportunities. 虚拟网络活动正在变得 more common and provide an easy introduction to professional circuits and networks 在你的区域. It is likely that the local chapter of your professional association is offering virtual programs, and some may even be tailored to recent 毕业s 年轻的专业人士.

💡 提示: Don’t see an upcoming virtual event listed 为 the organization? 伸出手去 association contact, ask about upcoming networking opportunities and take the initiative 如果没有安排，帮助计划活动. Google Meet, 脸谱网 Rooms and Zoom are among the software programs that offer free options perfect to help you host a virtual meet-up 或者社交活动.

Ryan, like Liz, came to UNC from out of state. 一个自称内向的人 recruiter came to UNC from Portland, OR knowing what he wanted to do or having personal 连接. Ryan encourages recent 研究生s to “get in where you fit in” because he knows that the first 职业生涯 step is not final step and unlikely to be a candidate’s 大学毕业后的梦想工作.

And while taking that first step may seem hard, the same hustle that UNC students like Ryan use to get through college, can help in starting a 职业生涯. “艰难的时候， no matter how difficult, will always give you something to learn.”

💡 提示: Treat UNC as the starting point in building your professional network. 你的UNC classmates, faculty and staff are all 连接 that you take with you when you 研究生. Now add in 校友 who are willing to help you begin your 职业生涯 and it’s clear that your network has far more reach than the borders of campus. 学习如何 use, leverage and put this network to work through 校友点播虚拟活动.

And while putting in the hard work and seeking organizational 连接 are important steps in the process to getting your “in,” both Liz and Ryan stress patience and persistence.

“Don’t get discouraged, it will always take time [to find a job],” says Liz. “保持 积极，专注. Use this time to prepare and practice interviewing and volunteering.”

“There’s good news and there is bad news,” says Ryan. “好消息是 一条出路. The bad news is that it’s straight on through.”

但不要担心或不知所措. 在这个过程中，你并不孤单. UNC最近 毕业生受益于 职业准备中心, where they can discuss 职业生涯 exploration and plans with a professional 职业生涯 counselor. Recent 研究生s retain full access to the center’s services 为 three years following 毕业. And 校友 who 研究生d more than three years ago, have the support of the UNC Office of 校友关系 who can advise and facilitate 连接 to other 校友 professionals, including those who successfully transitioned 职业生涯s later 在生活中. 访问 校友.奇怪的人.edu/职业生涯s 为 in为mation and resources to support your job search.