and how are you feeling?

 A recent NY Times article (1/5/12) cites the work of Carol Ryff, the director of the Institute on Aging at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who developed six broad categories as measures of well-being:

• personal growth (having new experiences that challenge how you think about yourself); 
• autonomy (having confidence in your opinions even if they are contrary to the general consensus); 
• supportive social relationships; 
• self-regard (liking most aspects of your personality); 
• control of your life; and 
• a sense of purpose. 

and while these categories were developed for a population older than the typical college student, it struck me how many of these related to one's career development. So, here are some questions to assure your current well-being:

1. What are you doing this semester to increase your personal growth? What new experiences are you trying? Have you joined an on-campus club or organization? Have you tried a different part-time job? Have you volunteered anywhere this year? How have you challenged yourself so you can learn more about yourself?
2. Have you given yourself a chance to develop further autonomy and leadership skills? Have you begun to trust your own decisions in class or on the job? Are you "pushing" yourself a bit to speak up in class on topics you care about?
3. Are you spending time with people who support your choice of major and career? Are you allowing yourself to discover some new friends with similar values and dreams?
4. Increasing your self-regard goes a long way in life...when all is said and done you are the person you can depend on throughout your life so give yourself new opportunities (see #1) to try new things, do well and increase your self respect and regard when you suceed.
5. Control of your life includes creating a  worklife with sufficient challenge to encourage growth and enough support to allow you to try new opportunities without feeling at enormous risk. 
6. A sense of purpose in your work makes all the difference long-term. Feeling that what you do has value and meaning is clearly better than work that leaves you feeling "What's the point?"

Let the Center for Career Services and the career directors in your college help you look at these six points to increase your sense of well-being and fulfillment.

Improve your personal economy!

The economy is improving and the start of a new semester is a good time to improve your personal economy by planning for your future! (If these tips seem familiar, they should, as we have listed them before, but think they are worth repeating!)

1.  If you're unsure of your career direction, do some self assessment on the web (see http://www.montclair.edu/CareerServices/undergraduate/whoami.html). Using these tools should be one of your first steps in researching careers. 

2. Make an appointment to meet with a career counselor by calling x5194 to discuss the self-assessment exercises you have done.

3. Research careers at http://www.montclair.edu/CareerServices/studentservices/researchocc.html.

4. Talk with your contacts -- family, friends, professors, teachers, neighbors, peers, colleagues, mentors -- about potential careers. 

5. Register with Career Directions, our on-line job listing service, at http://www.montclair.edu/CareerServices/studentservices/careerdirections.html and check positions at least once a week. New positions come in 24/7!

6. To check out work that you think might be interesting, find an employer who will let you volunteer. Use Career Directions to do this as many employers list volunteer positions with the Center.

7. Join a LinkedIn group in your industry. Go to http://www.montclair.edu/CareerServices/onlineworkshops/Linkedin/player.html to learn how.

8. Meet with your career counselor to discuss what you are learning about yourself and the world of work.

 

9. Practice interviewing with "Interview Prep", available from the Virtual Career Center.

10. Write your resume and have it critiqued in the Center. Come to drop-in (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4pm for a face-to- face critique).

11. Use "Optimal Resume" to format your resume -- available from the Virtual Career Center.

12.  Identify job listing sites specific to your industry by using the RileyGuide.  Put your resume on-line at sites you have identified.

13. Be sure to schedule information interviews. Click here to learn how.

14. Identify faculty and employers who can act as references in your job hunt. Be sure to ask their permission before naming someone.