From Plan A to Plan Next:
How to Pivot Your Career Plans
Real Talk
Students truly have a lot of factors working against them securing jobs right now, particularly in:
Seattle
Large tech companies
Federal government agencies
Research
Environmental fields
Public health
The struggle is real.
The disappointment is real.
And Yet…
There are 82,000 postings in Handshake.
Interesting paid positions ARE available in this region, across the nation, and around the globe.
Do not give up hope.
Instead, try adjusting your mindset. Even just a little bit. It might be hard. But it will open you up to a wider range of possibilities.
Mindsets
Your 1st job is just that.
You’ll be working 40+ years.
You have a lot of time to build your career.
Don’t put too much importance on your 1st job.
Any job can be a stepping stone.
You can always build skills and connections that will help you get you closer to your goals.
Plus, making money right now might be more important than waiting for the “right” job.
Your job doesn’t have to define you.
Your identity is made up of much more than your first job. You can be awesome even if you’re not in a job you’re passionate about.
The job hunt also doesn’t define you.
Even in strong economies, rejection is an inevitable part of the job hunt. You’re a worthy person even when struggling to find work.
Advice
Try things. Say yes.
You may end up loving an industry you’d never heard of or a task you thought you’d hate!
Consider living w/ family or roommates.
Especially in large metro areas, first jobs often don’t pay enough to get one’s own apartment. �Living with roommates or family right out of college isn’t a sign of failure.
Consider different sectors and industries.
You can use your skills, pursue your interests, and find meaningful work in places you might not expect. Similar work often happens in many sectors and employers.
Consider small / medium companies.
They often provide a broader and deeper experience that leads to greater impact.
And, they often receive fewer applications.
Don’t be afraid of start-ups.
They provide an exciting environment and the chance to innovate.
Think beyond King County.
You can always move back later.
Plus you’ll likely save a bunch of money.
Think beyond the United States.
The search process might be more arduous, but you could make money while experiencing other cultures.
Don’t choose grad school as a default.
Many grad programs are expensive, not eligible for financial aid, and don’t lead to higher paying jobs right away.
Talk to humans. And not just digitally.
People like to help students and new grads.
They can share insights, job leads, contacts, and encouragement.
Show up, work hard, & be kind.
Being a team player, taking initiative, and excelling can open doors. Even when working a job you’re not thrilled about.
Keep developing skills on the side.
If the job you get isn’t in your area of interest, do things on the side to showcase continued growth and interest in your desired field.
Resources
Career Exploration & Assessment page
Many types of content to help you explore interests, fields, and industries.
careers.uw.edu/channels/career-exploration-assessment
Job Trend & Salary Data
Explore fields by industry, occupation, keyword, state, and county.
careers.uw.edu/job-trends-salaries
Husky Career Outcomes Data
PathwayU
Take assessments to gain insights into your interests, values, and more. Then, explore career paths that align with who you are.
careers.uw.edu/resources/pathwayu
Linkedin Learning
On-demand video learning platform, available on mobile.
Build skills and dabble in new fields to see if you would like them.
Add completions to your LI profile.
Connect with Huskies!
Husky Landing
Expand your Husky network based on career, industry and interests.
Seek professional advice from industry insiders.
Participate in group discussions with fellow Huskies.
LinkedIn’s UW Alumni Page
392,000 Huskies!
Search for Huskies by job title, company, or keyword.
Filter by location, skills, and major.�
Explore career trajectories, reach out, and make connections.
Read Advice from Recent Graduates
Read tips from recent grads who landed jobs or got into grad school.
How To Improve Your Chances of Landing a Job
We put together a slide deck of our best tips from across our many workshops and resources. The slides cover the following topics:
careers.uw.edu/resources/how-to-improve-your-chances-of-landing-a-job
Counseling Center
Held in the Career & Internship Center on Thursdays!
LiveWell
Peer Groups - Student led groups designed to promote resiliency and overall well-being.
Peer Wellness Coaching - Experienced peer health educators help fellow students who want to enhance their personal well-being, solve problems effectively, and work toward intentional change in their lives and self.