Career Advice

Yesterday I met with Human Rights First CAO (Chief Administration Officer), Pam, about career advice, choices etc. I thought I would share with you all one of the tidbits I learned that I think would be extremely helpful for those of us who are going to be seniors soon, graduating and entering the job market (especially if you have no idea what you want to do).

Pam suggested that you start printing job description of things that appeal to you, regardless of the requirements needed to apply. Once you have quite a pile of mildly interesting job descriptions, go through and highlight all the activities you are drawn too, would enjoy etc. After that, you can separate those description into piles, one with the most highlights, the other with the least. Then you can go back and read through what activities you seem to be drawn too, and then what kind of jobs those are. It also can be a good tool in knowing when/if/where you should go to grad school. Ex: if everything you highlighted required a law degree, then you might be more inclined to go that route.

You can get job descriptions from tons of different websites online (idealist, etc).

I have been trying to make a concerted effort to meet, and discuss career paths with people in my organization. I think its a great exercise for all of us, because it really demonstrates that there are lots of different paths and ways to end up where you want to be, or where you should be.

Another piece of advice that was shared with me by virtually everyone I have spoken with at HRF: do not go to grad school unless you know exactly what you want to get out of it. It will be a waste of time and money otherwise.

Just some advice gems I thought I would pass along :)