Module 02: Research and Exploration

2.8 Career Resilience Tips

Some of you may have a very clear idea of what you’ll do after graduation and others may have no idea. Either scenario is just fine. For most of you, life after college may be filled with uncertainty and continuous career exploration, which can be a lot of fun! Try to embrace the fact that the world of work is constantly changing and so are you.

Here are some helpful characteristics that you may want to develop further to be able to take advantage of uncertainty and unexpected, “chance” events in your career path:

What activity are you curious to try out or what knowledge are you curious about gaining? Stay curious about the world around you because it will help you learn more about what you like and don’t like as well as see opportunities you didn’t even know existed! How rigid are you about sticking to your original career goals? Set career goals that can be adapted and changed as you gain experience and knowledge. Stay open to possibilities!! Are you feeling hopeful about the future? Feel hopeful and confident that things will work out in your career will increase your chances that you’ll take the action steps needed for those goals to be realized. Remember that not every action will work out (and it isn’t all in your control!) but keep taking action and trying alternatives and you’ll get to where you want to be. Doing career research and exploration can be energizing but it can also be a lot of work. Take a break when you need it so that you have the energy to persist longer-term. Not everyone you contact will get back to you and not all the information you gather will turn out to be accurate but if you keep going, you will be pleasantly surprised where you end up! No matter how much research you do, you will never know 100% if a career decision you make is going to work out. Don’t wait to be absolutely certain: take a chance on a career path or job that seems to meet many of the criteria you’re looking for and where you see opportunity.

Adapted from: Krumboltz, D. & Levin, A.S. (2010).
Luck is No Accident: Making the Most of Happenstance in Your Life and Career (2nd ed.). California: Impact Publishers..

Here is the Downloadable Question Set – Characteristics to Help Take Advantage of Chance Events (.docx)

Keep experimenting and learning, evaluating the knowledge and experience you are acquiring.

“ Constantly assess what you know, what you don’t know and what you need to find out. ”

— Brooks, Katharine, 2010. You Majored in What? PLUME, (page 282.)

And most importantly – Enjoy your career research and exploration journey!

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