Career Center

Research suggests that the days of a steady, stable career are over. Organizations have become flatter and flatter. The model of upward progression is more commonly being replaced by team or project leadership. Young, newly hired employees often have skills not found in experienced hires, leaving many older people to work for young leaders. And the rapid pace of technology makes many jobs, crafts, and skills go out of date in only a few years. This requires ongoing up-skilling and re-skilling.

The following list of curated resources can help you design a career path that will enable you to thrive in the 21st Century.

• Catch the Wave: The 21st Century Career
• Emerging 21st Century Careers
• New Careers in the 21st Century
• 21st Century Careers: The Technological Revolution and Viable Career Paths
• 2022 HR Trends Report

Most employers are looking for people with the right types of skills to make them a fit for the job. When at looking at candidates, there are two kinds of skills and qualities employers seek in all their employees, regardless of the position.

• “Soft skills” also known as “professional skills,” which include the interpersonal skills and attributes you need to succeed in the workplace and support a healthy workplace environment.
• “Hard skills” also known as “technical skills”. These are the more tangible skills that most projects require. They are the specific knowledge and abilities required to do the job.

The following list of curated resources gives you the employers perspective, which will enable you to obtain the next job along your career trajectory.

• Skills and Qualities Employers Look For
• 7 Skills Employers Look For Regardless of the Job
• 14 Common Qualities Employers are Looking For
• Top Skills and Attributes Employers Look For
• Top 5 Skills Employers Look For

Individuals change careers for many different reasons. Your career goals or personal values may have changed, you may have discovered new interests or skills, you may wish to make more money, or have more flexible hours, just to name a few.

However, before making a change, it is important to take stock of where you are now to evaluate your present situation and – not to be avoided – take the time to explore a variety of career options. If after going through these steps you decide your career needs a new direction, then you can knowingly choose a new career that will be more satisfying for you – without looking back.

The following list of curated resources can help you determine if a career change is right for you.

• 10 Steps to a Successful Career Change
• How to Manage Your Career
• Managing Yourself: Five Ways to Bungle a Job Change
• How To Change Careers, According To 50 People Who Made A Pivot
• How to Change Careers: Find What to Pursue Next

Managing your own career means taking ownership of your career by identifying specific goals, and then building a development plan to create a blueprint for meeting those goals. Because of the changing nature of work, career advancement can easily transcend beyond the walls of your current employer. No matter where you work – or whether you currently have a portfolio of contract work – each of us as individuals is ultimately in charge of managing our own career.

The following list of curated resources can help you make meaningful progress toward effectively managing your career advancement.

• 7 Ways to Support Employee Career Advancement
• Developing Employee Career Paths and Ladders
• 5 Tips to Improve Your Career Development
• Ten Big Signs It’s Time for a Career Change – Which Applies to You?
• Managing Your Career in Times of Change

Not sure or want some reinforcement on the direction you would like to take your career?  Looking at this from a number of different perspectives can help you map your skills, competencies, and interests to a career that will be meaningful for you.

The following list of curated resources can help bring clarity into your career decision-making process.

• Career Aptitude Test
• Career Tests – Free Online Job Aptitude Tests
• Career Fitter: Career Test | Work Personality Analysis
• CareerExplorer: The World’s Most Powerful Career Test
• The TypeFinder® for Career Planning

The most successful people are the ones who take ownership of their careers and are intentional with their actions to prepare for the future. Taking more ownership of your career can lead to happier, more purposeful lives.

The following list of curated resources identifies resources that represent a number of facets to consider as you take ownership of your career.

• Writing a Cover Letter
• Networking
• Toastmasters
• Interview Techniques
• Star Interview Technique
• Types of Interviews
• Ultimate Guide to Video Interviews
• Dress For an Interview
• Accepting the Offer
• Top 10 Fears That Hold People Back In Their Careers
• Owning Your Career History: The Personal Learning Record
• Job Search Strategies