Navigating a Career Pivot
Yesame Kinfe
Career Counselor
ykinfe1@usfca.edu
Agenda
Identifying Your Pivot
01
Making Moves
03
Q + A
04
Researching Your Path(s)
02
Guess Their Major 🔎
Biology
History
Business Administration
Identifying Your Pivot
01
Where are you going?
Identifying Your Pivot
If you know where you’re going:
If you don’t know where you’re going yet:
What problems do you want to solve?
Who do you want to help?
What do you want to improve?
What are you good at?
What is a trait or skill people compliment you on?
What type of lifestyle do you envision after graduating?
Other Questions to Think About
When you daydream about your ideal environment and ideal tasks at a job…
Researching Your Path(s)
02
Now you know what you want. How are you going to get there?
Tip: Keep track of your research in a notebook, spreadsheet, or document
Have Conversations
Talk to people who are currently doing what you want to do.
Making Moves
03
Now you know how to get there. How can you make it happen?
Create Your New “Personal Brand”
Personal Brand can be defined as “what you’re known for and how people experience you.
Delivering your brand clearly and consistently will create a memorable experience in the minds of those you interact with and can open doors to new opportunities.”
Telling Your Story
Your career pivot needs to make sense to employers; you need to connect the dots between your experiences and your next move
HOW?
Career Changer:
Elle Woods - Legally Blonde
Elevator Pitch: An elevator pitch is a quick synopsis of your background and experience. It’s all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do.
1. Introduce yourself
I am a 4th-year chemistry major currently working as a research assistant for one of my professors where I work in a lab. I am also a part-time tutor at a local high school.
My current interests are writing and editing, and I am very interested in becoming an editor for fiction novels in the future.
Elevator Pitch
2. Introduce your previous experience.
Ever since I was young, I’ve read as many books as I could in my free time. I even used to write reviews for those books in a personal blog, just for fun. However, when I entered college, I thought I’d become a scientist so I majored in Chemistry and worked in a lab.
During my sophomore year, I was hired to be a writing tutor for high school students. I get to help them throughout their entire writing process – from brainstorming topics, formatting their writing assignments, and then assisting them in editing their essays.
Elevator Pitch
3. Connect the dots.
My part time job as a tutor at the high school reignited my passion for reading and writing, and introduced me to my love for editing. I love that I was able to assist the students in every step of the writing process so that they could produce something that they were proud of and that was successful.
Elevator Pitch
4. Introduce your career change.
Because of this tutoring experience and my lifelong love for novels, I am fully invested in beginning my career in book editing after graduation. It was through this experience that I learned I could find a career connected to my personal interests and skills. I am very excited to start my search for an entry-level editorial assistant position.
What’s Your Story?
Networking
Networking
…aka forming relationships
GOAL: To establish a relationship & eventually have
someone in your corner for career opportunities / advancement / mentorship / advice.
Tips:
On LinkedIn, search "University of San Francisco" (and your undergrad institution) to find thousands of alumni by...
...in order to find who is doing exactly what
you want to do. Then reach out to them!
Tip: People want to help students!
What to say?
TIPS
Hi [Person’s Name],
My name is _____ and I’m a student at USF graduating in 202X. I am very interested by the work you’ve done as a(n) ______ at ______. I’d love to learn more about your role and what your path was like after USF. Would you be willing to connect?
Thanks for your time!
Best,
Your Name
Add this note to your connection request ^^^^
Resumes
Tailoring Your Resume
Transferable Skills
Any skills you possess that are useful to employers across various jobs and industries.
Barista → Office Job
Good customer service ->
Maintaining positive client relationships
Making drink & food orders ->
Providing consistent results
Inventory, cleaning, & working the register ->
Efficient multi-tasking & organization skills
Other Resume Tips for Pivoters
Personal Branding on LinkedIn
Goal: People recognize who you are and what your goals are by looking at your LinkedIn profile
Recap
Our 1:1 Services
Q&A
04
Any questions?