Starting the job search is never easy. You may be plagued by questions like “Where do I start?”
“What should I know about the industry?” “Who do I talk to?” These all can seem daunting, but the Career Design Center is here to help with our ‘Career Community Snack n’ Chat’ Events. These events will give you opportunities to eat some good food while also getting to meet future connections and network. Each ‘Snack n’ Chat’ event is themed around one of our 6 Career Communities. We encourage you to explore many of your interests and go to several of these events to learn about multiple industries and different career paths!
What are Career Communities?
Career Communities are a way to explore your interests and connect with other people in the field. These communities are a way to broaden the scope of possibility of career outlook. Many times we get caught in the mentality that when we choose a major, that is what we are doing for the rest of our lives. However, Career Communities help break this thought that major equals career. At UB we have 6 career communities that you can join!
Data, Analytics, Technology, and Engineering
Nonprofit, Education, and Social Impact
Arts, Design, Entertainment and Communications
Healthcare, Public Health, Life and Lab Sciences
Government, Law, and International Affairs
Management, Sales, Consulting, and Finance
You can join Career Communities through our Career Design Studio. This platform is made for YOU, with tailored content about what’s trending in your community, industry tips, fresh jobs, and event happenings. Additionally, the webpage has a ‘Job Market Stats’ tool, in which you explore occupations by career categories and get up to date data on the labor market.
Now you might be asking what is networking and why is it helpful?
Networking is a great way to get all these insights and more! Networking is the process of establishing and maintaining connections with people in many different industries or areas of interest. These connections can help you gain valuable mentorship, advice, and can help you stay up to date on trends in the industry. Additionally, networking is a great way to obtain access to many different career opportunities.
Here are some of the reasons why networking can be a valuable tool in your job search:
Access to hidden job opportunities: Not all job openings are posted online or in job boards. In fact, 80% of jobs come from connections, while 20% come from job postings. Often, companies prefer to hire through referrals from their employees or trusted connections. By networking, you can learn about these hidden job opportunities before they are publicly advertised and increase your chances of getting hired.
Recommendations and referrals: Your network can also serve as references or recommend you to their connections for job opportunities. These recommendations and referrals can help you stand out from other candidates and give you an edge in the hiring process.
Insider information: Networking can give you access to insider information about a company’s culture, hiring process, and job requirements. This information can help you tailor your resume and cover letter to fit the company’s needs and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Mentorship and guidance: Networking can also provide you with valuable mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in your field. These mentors can offer advice on career development, share their experiences, and offer tips on how to succeed in your industry.
Industry insights: Networking can help you stay up to date with industry trends, news, and events. This can help you identify new job opportunities and build your skills and knowledge to stay competitive in your field.
Professional development: Networking can also provide you with opportunities for professional development, such as attending conferences, workshops, and training sessions. These events can help you expand your skills and knowledge and build your network further.
By building strong connections with professionals in your industry, you can access hidden job opportunities, receive recommendations and referrals, gain insider information, receive mentorship and guidance, and stay up to date with industry trends and developments. So, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and build your network – it could be the key to landing your dream job! A great place to start is our upcoming ‘Snack and Chat’ events.
These events will take place in 259 Capen in Studio A in the Career Design Center every Wednesday from 4-5pm. Sign up through Bullseye powered by Handshake to register!
Check out our upcoming ‘Snack N’ Chat’ Events below:
Wednesday April 12th, 2023: Data, Analytics, Technology, and Engineering
Wednesday April 19th, 2023: Nonproft, Education, and Social Impact
Wednesday April 26th, 2023: Arts , Design, Entertainment and Communications
Wednesday May 3rd, 2023: Healthcare, Public Health, Life and Lab Sciences
