How can Career Services help me?

Beyond succeeding in my academic program, what is the single most important thing I can do to enhance my career?

How do I build my professional network?

I am pursuing a Ph.D. and have an interest in teaching.  Where can I look for opportunities?

What can I do with my degree?

What’s the difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae?

I would like to obtain career counseling.  How do I get the ball rolling? 

 

 

How can Career Services help me?
The mission of the Career Services Center is to provide Walden University students with resources for self-assessment, job searches, resume and curriculum vitae development, job offer evaluation and salary negotiation.  Our goal is to educate students on tools and strategies to proactively use throughout their careers, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that currently the average American worker changes jobs ten times in a lifetime.  Get active, engaged and excited about your career; it’s a lifelong work in progress.  As they say, “The best way to predict your future is to create it!” 

 

Beyond succeeding in my academic program, what is the single most important thing I can do to enhance my career?
Continue your efforts to build your professional network throughout your Walden career.  You have a wonderful opportunity to meet colleagues from across the country in your classes.  It has been estimated that only 20% of jobs are ever advertised, meaning that 80% of jobs are often filled through referrals as employers often prefer to hire someone they know over someone they don’t know.  Even if you are not in job-hunting mode, it’s wise to know what others in your field are doing.  Networking is a key component of career success.  

 

How do I build my professional network?
First of all, get to know your Walden faculty and other students.  In addition to networking with current colleagues, tap into professional and social organizations to cultivate new contacts.  One unique way to network is to volunteer to be on a non-profit board in your area.  Once you join local and national professional associations, make the effort to get involved.  You can strengthen your visibility by serving on committees, writing articles, presenting at conferences, and volunteering at conferences.  Be sure to have a brief and interesting introductory infomercial (prepared but not rehearsed) for meeting new colleagues.  For more information on networking, click here. 

 

I am pursuing a Ph.D. and have an interest in teaching.  Where can I look for opportunities?

With regards to higher education teaching, the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2006-07) states: “Opportunities for postsecondary teaching jobs are expected to be good, but many new openings will be for part-time or non-tenure-track positions.”  It states that the number of tenure-track positions is declining and mentions growth in positions with community colleges and for-profit educational institutions catering to working adults, including distance education institutions. 

Some Walden students teach at community colleges and other institutions without their doctorates and then earn their doctorates to support advancement in their current positions or to move to other opportunities. Others land teaching positions with traditional institutions - often because they are alumni or otherwise have some connection with the schools. Colleges are limited as to the number of their own graduates they may hire due to accreditation policies so it would be advantageous to apply to a variety of institutions.

It is important to note that doctoral graduates pursue other paths in higher education beyond teaching. Some land positions in academic support/higher education administration.

For more information on teaching opportunities, please review our Career Lecture Series webinar on "How to Get a Job Teaching Online." The archived webinar may be accessed via a link on the Career Center website at: http://careercenter.waldenu.edu

 

What can I do with my degree?
While it would be nice to have an easy answer, it depends on many factors beyond your education, such as your work experience, interests, values and transferable skills.  The good news is that you’re the best person to answer that question because you know best what suits you in terms of work environment and challenges that play to your strengths.  If you need some help in determining what your skills, interests and values are, click Assessments.  Contact the Career Services Center if you would like assistance in interpreting your results.  Once you know your skills, interests and values, a great way to uncover opportunities is to research and conduct informational interviews with professionals in your field.    

 

What’s the difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae?
Job vacancies typically advise applicants to submit either a resume or a curriculum vitae (c.v.).  Typically, resumes are used to apply for non-academic positions and curriculum vitae are used to apply for academic positions, such as research and teaching opportunities. 

 

A resume tends to be shorter and more targeted in highlighting one’s qualifications relevant to the desired position.  The c.v. is typically longer and more detailed, as it is more biographical in nature.  The c.v. works best for those with extensive academic credentials, as it highlights not only educational and work achievements, but teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, languages, grants, fellowships, scholarships, licenses, certifications, professional associations and other relevant information.  For more information on resumes and c.v.’s, see Resumes. 

 

I would like to obtain career counseling.  How do I get the ball rolling? 
You are able to reserve a career counseling appointment using the Career Services WIRE scheduling system.  This system is easily accessible through the Career Center home page:

http://careercenter.waldenu.edu/

After you reserve your appointment, a Career Services staff member will contact you via phone during your reserved date and time.  Questions about the Career Services WIRE system can be directed to careerservices@waldenu.edu

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