Health and Human Services Professional Development

What is a Mentor and How do I Find One? by   Mikki Sherwood   on   July 4, 2013 Most of us have heard of the importance of mentoring. However, do we really know what that means? I know I really struggled with the concept of mentoring when I was a student. The whole idea was intimidating to me. A mentor is someone that guides or advises on a regular basis. A mentor is honest, but supportive, and has the time to spend with you. According to  WiseGeek.com   “Mentors share their body of experience, relating what they have learned in ways that will connect with the newcomer.” Please note that a mentor should want to get to know you and be willing to form a mutual relationship. A mentor does not just teach, but will collaborate with you in a supportive manner. According to  Forbes.com  “Mentoring is a responsibility; a commitment that requires valuable time and focused attention to assure the mentee’s goals are progressing forward.” Finding, ...

Tips on How to Network from Berkeley by   Jill Bowers   on   July 6, 2013   The Berkeley Career Services Center offers a few good tips for successfully networking. My personal favorites are those that discuss how and why you should consistently keep in contact with your mentors (as opposed to only contacting them when you need them or out of desperation).  A true mentor relationship, or one you will get the most out of, is ongoing. It is also best that your mentor consistently knows about your progress or what you are working on, so they can speak on your behalf (if they are listed on your reference list) or forward you relevant jobs, opportunities, or information that is relevant to your career as they come across it. Along these lines, it is also important to ask your mentors if you can put them on your reference list and notify them when you have applied for a specific job.   *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission gran...

Start Planning for Grad School by   Jill Bowers   on   August 6, 2013   If you are a junior or senior, you have probably started thinking about whether or not you want to go to graduate school or what programs you may want to apply to. If you are just beginning your undergraduate studies, graduate school may not be on your mind at all yet being proactive NOW will ensure you have good options later…AND many of the things you can do now to start preparing for applying for graduate schools are similar to activities that will help you on the job market! Whether or not graduate school (for example, getting a Master’s Degree or PhD) is right for you depends on your career goals, your major, and many other factors. Many individuals want to pursue graduate school because it gives them greater earning power and more opportunities to advance their career, allows them to switch career paths, buys them time to think more about what they want to do after their academic...

What’s YOUR Plan? by   Jill Bowers   on   August 22, 2013   Are you planning for tomorrow? Next week? Next semester? Next Year? All are vital to your career. No plan = no productivity = no job. Begin by thinking about your long-term goals and then, the shorter-term goals. Then, plan out the weekly, daily, and monthly activities that help you to reach your goals. Below is a sample plan for someone who wants to become an administrator in a domestic violence agency (as an example).    Long-term goal: Become an administrator at a domestic violence agency within 8 years. Intermediate goals: Finish bachelor’s degree in human services program administration , human development and family studies, or program that trains you in family services (4 years on average). Receive a Master’s degree in human services program administration, HDFS, business administration, or other field that will train you for an administrator role (1.5 – 3 years, depen...

Networking as a Student by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013   Many students graduate and cannot get a job or find opportunities in their field. Networking plays an essential role in this. To network is to exchange ideas, interests, or desires with another person. In the professional arena, networking can mean making a connection to a professional or establishing a mentor in your field of interest.  Work and volunteer opportunities allow students to meet professionals in the field; work or volunteer opportunities also give them the opportunity to connect with other students who share similar interests.  Being able to hear what others are doing may help you to learn about opportunities or motivate you or other students to seek mentors or other job opportunities. Professors can serve as mentors throughout school and offer tips to help make you successful on the job market. Work, volunteer opportunities, or doing research for a professor will also bo...

Smart Networking by   Kacey McCormack, Guest Author   on   June 21, 2014   Networking is essential for career success. Yet, there are right and wrong ways to do it. For example, it’s critical to find mentors who are willing to help you, but if you monopolize the time of someone you just met, act like a know it all, ask them questions that are too broad or that could have been found with a quick internet search, or do not show gratitude for their time or the information they have shared with you, they may not be excited about meeting with you again.   Some tips for good networking include: Preparing in advance for interviews, Scheduling a time to meet with a mentor or potential mentor rather than just dropping in and trying to network, Asking questions that show interest in the person with whom you are meeting, Writing thank you notes after meeting with someone, and Staying in touch after networking. Also, remember that networking is a two way ...

Career Exploration by   Jill Bowers   on   November 9, 2014 After meeting with several students over the last few years about the same things, I’ve determined that “freaking out” about their career-related future is a completely normal experience (seems to be worst for sophomores and seniors). “I don’t know if I chose the right major.” “Should I switch majors?” “How do I know what I’m supposed to do for the rest of my life?” I’ve had at least 20 students in my office in the last few months (no exaggeration) asking me these very questions. This website is more about professional development, and we don’t generally focus on career exploration as a part of professional development. Yet, career exploration is certainly a part of the path. I’ve found that I keep giving students the same responses to each of these questions, so I wanted to share. First, opportunities are all around you, but you have to play an active role in seeking them.   This is true for profes...