{Career Transitions

Staying Afloat in the Early Stages of Career Development

Drew Dudley Founder, Nuance

Leadership Inc.

"As a matter of fact, I think we have an obligation to ourselves to keep making

changes in our life until it is a life that we want and a life that we deserve, but that

list is so powerful."

Is there a positive message out there?

Recent grads who are experiencing personal and professional barriers after graduation are the people we should be listening to.

What are grads experiencing?

How are grads overcoming barriers and challenges ?

Graduates In Transition

Transition is the “difficult process of letting go of an old situation, of suffering the confusing nowhere of in-betweenness, and of launching

forth again in a new situation.” William Bridges

Change emphasizes what is happening TO us while transition emphasizes opportunity for growth within

Difficulties Transitioning

Between 2008-2013 I had to learn some life lessons the hard way, which made me lose touch with Jamaica. I let my own personal issue of lacking self-confidence lead to substance abuse, and it began to take precedent over helping others. I partied much too hard and I recklessly bumbled my way through Latin America for almost a year. – Ayako Turnball

If I’m being totally honest with you, it hasn’t been an easy transition in to a career in holistic nutrition, although hard work and consistency does pay off. Initially, I kept my job in the service industry for a few years after I graduated while pursuing opportunities. On the side, I combined my love for writing with my passion for nutrition and started writing for healthy living companies and my own blog, while taking clients. – Brandi Wagner

I quit my job as a researcher and started doing everything I could to prepare myself as a motorcycle builder. But I was terrified. I hadn’t worked as a tradesperson before, and I hadn’t yet done much work on motorcycles. I spent the next year volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, working as an HVAC technician’s assistant, taking welding courses, and working on my bike. At the beginning of the year I’m pretty sure everyone I know thought I was crazy. –Brian Kates

Positives of Transitioning

I spent a few months talking to close friends and family and really reflecting on life and what was important to me. - Michelle Allenberg

Looking back on it now, I don’t regret anything, for it is said, “I may not have gone whereI intended to go. But I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” I have emerged out of my darkest years, full of light. I am stronger and more focused than ever before. -Ayako Turnbull

I finally understood what I needed. For me, it was most important to have autonomy, to be working on something that I could truly believe in, and to be authentically creative. I had never truly allowed myself to indulge in all three requirements, for fear that I would come across as selfish or entitled, and for fear that I couldn’t accomplish what I wanted on my own. - Brian Kates

It’s hard to believe that it took so much time and resources for me to get to a place I never should have left. However, because of this journey, I have a deeper understanding and appreciation of my career and future. - Nathan Scott

"What we have to remember is that we can still do anything. We can change our minds. We can start over. Get a post-bac or try

writing for the first time. The notion that it’s too late to do anything is comical. It’s hilarious. We’re graduating college. We’re

so young. We can’t, we MUST not lose this sense of possibility because in the end, it’s all we have.“

Marina Keegan

A Holistic Approach

Professional Development

Personal Development

Mental Well Being

Community

Learning

Holistic Approach in Action

Learningo BAo MAo CWC

Community o School peers/professorso Guest blog writerso Coworkers

Mental Well Beingo Self Reflectiono Celebrating all

achievementso Maintaining social and

healthy lifestyle

Personal Developmento Keep an open mind, be

prepared to take risks, take time to step back from your situation and ask yourself - is this really what I want to be doing? Am I happy?

o Graduates In TransitionProfessional Developmento Organizational membership o Networking eventso Job opportunitieso Guest speaking

engagements

www.graduatesintransition.com