Once you have a good idea of what you bring to an employer, the next step is to know what jobs/careers need those skills, talents, and experiences. (Then, as you read job descriptions, you can compare their requirements to your assets and see how well they match up.)
This requires learning about job titles and types of careers available at the U of M and outside. This section focuses on exploring work at the University of Minnesota. Exactly how do you "explore the U"? There are several ways, but these five are pretty easy and useful!
Attend ECEP's "What else is out there?" Workshop
This workshop helps you to understand the range of work that exists at the University and teaches strategies for you to learn more about those occupations. Refer to this semester's schedule for when it is offered.Visit the University of Minnesota Classification Information Database at http://data.ohr.umn.edu
This site contains a description of every U of M classification (think job title, e.g., Senior administrative specialist, Associate Administrator, Coordinator, Assistant Professor) that exists. It lists the duties and qualifications that are a part of each classification and it tells the salary range (when available). Classifications are grouped into Job Families. Knowing the Job Family a classification falls under can sometimes help you identify broad ranges of jobs that suit your interests. For example, one job family is entitled Information Technology, which includes the computer-related work on campus.Talk with a Human Resources Professional
Human Resources Professionals (commonly called HR Pro's) work within units with supervisors and managers on hiring, reclassifications, and/or promotions for all employee groups. They are knowledgeable about job descriptions, compensation, and qualifications. HR Pros are quite familiar with the different departments within the unit they are assigned to. They also know what kinds of work exists within that unit, whether it be an academic or business unit, or whether it be large (e.g., College of Liberal arts, College of Vet Med) or small (School of Social Work, Raptor Center). HR Pro's can recommend employment classifications given your current skill mix and experience, suggest experiences to gain, and maybe put you in touch with hiring authorities who may have openings you are interested in. For a listing of HR Professionals, visit this site: http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/st/network.htmAsk others for ideas
This one is as simple as it sounds. Next time you are talking with some friends or trusted co-workers, tell them what skills and talents you would like to use in a job/career and ask if they know of jobs/careers around the U of M that might need those. Its amazing how creative and informative others are. And, questions like that rely on ideas and knowledge already in their heads so it doesn't require any real "work" on their part. Most folks even find it a rather fun brainstorming idea. They can probably even link you up with others actually doing those jobs so you can learn more.Talk to employees doing work you think sounds interesting
Without a doubt, the BEST way to identify what work exists within the U of M is to talk with other employees. Make a habit of discovering where your on-campus friends work, what they "really do", and who they work with. It's amazing how many jobs and careers exist other than the commonly known administrative, clerical or teaching. Even jobs with the same classification can seem entirely different if you work with other colleagues within other departmental cultures.The formal name for connecting with others is "networking". The Employee Career Enrichment Program's Inside Scoop system will help you with internal networking.
Do you know enough about the job(s) you want?
back to Finding new work
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