This document is a workbook for a mid-level and senior-level women's career advancement workshop. It provides contact information for the workshop presenters and includes exercises to help participants envision their ideal future career and map out a plan to achieve their goals. The workbook guides reflection on values, desires, strengths, and where one currently is versus where they want to be professionally. It then prompts creating specific career goals and determining the ideal work environment and organization.

1.
Celebrating Success and Envisioning Your Dream
for the Future:
Mid and Senior Level Women's Career
Advancement Workshop
Workbook
Presented by:
Julie Payne Kirchmeier, University of Southern Illinois Carbondale
Ann Marie Klotz, DePaul University
Laura A. Berry, University of Southern Indiana
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 1
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

2.
Mid and Senior Level Women's Career Advancement Workshop Workbook
This workbook is designed to be a resource for you. We have included information from the
ACUHO‐I ACE presentation. In it you will find resources to help you plan for your career
advancement.
Our Contact information:
Dr. Julie Payne Kirchmeier
Email: jpkirch@siu.edu
Phone: 618 453 1069
Ann Marie Klotz
Email: aklotz@depaul.edu
Phone: 773 325 4295
Laura A. Berry
Email: lberry@usi.edu
Phone: 812 468 2222
If you are interested in the Powerpoint presentation you can contact Laura Berry.
Envisioning Activity
As you begin your journey it is helpful to have a vision in mind. This exercise is designed to
explore what that vision is for you. Take time to reflect on the following questions to start the
process.
If you could have any job in our field what would it be?
Envision yourself in that position—what makes it the ideal job for you?
What skills do you need to acquire before you would be strongly considered for that type
of position?
How would your life change if you had that job?
What are three things you can do in the next six months to get you closer to your ideal
job?
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 2
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

3. Career Mapping Workbook
“The important thing in life is this – to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for
what we could become.” – Charles DuBois
In order to truly succeed in any facet of your life, you need to be in tune with what you want,
need and desire for your life. This is especially true with your career development. Once you
know what you want – you must then move forward with a concrete plan for achieving these
goals. This workbook is designed to assist you through this process.
Pre‐Phase I – Psychological Transition
1. What are my core values? (check out www.franklincovey.com and the mission
statement builder for assistance with this one)
2. What do I want for my life?
Career
Family
Health
Personal Development
Spiritual Fulfilment
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 3
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

4. Education
Other
3. Where am I currently in my life’s plan?
Career
Family
Health
Personal Development
Spiritual Fulfilment
Education
Other
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 4
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

5. 4. Where do I want to be?
5. Am I ready for a change? What would I need to do to be ready?
Spiritually
Financially
Emotionally
Physically
AM I TRULY READY? __ YES __ NO
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 5
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

6. Phase I – Introspection and Reflection
1. What are my specific career goals?
What type of work do I want to do?
What is my ultimate dream job?
2. What type of environment do I want to work in?
What field do I want to work in?
What type of organization?
What are the characteristics of that organization?
What values does this type of organization possess?
What type of culture do I want to work in?
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 6
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

7. What region of the country or globe do I want to work in?
3. What pathway do I need to follow to achieve my ultimate goal?
Current position:
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
4. What timeline is realistic to accomplish each step of the pathway?
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
5. What skills do I need to possess to be effective at my ultimate career?
Skill 1:
Skill 2:
Skill 3:
Skill 4:
Skill 5:
Skill 6:
Skill 7:
Skill 8:
Skill 9:
Skill 10:
Skill 11:
and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop
Mid p. 7
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

8. 6. What experience do I need to have to be qualified for my ultimate career?
Exp. 1:
Exp. 2:
Exp. 3:
Exp. 4:
Exp. 5:
Exp. 6:
Exp. 7:
Exp. 8:
Exp. 9:
7. What education do I need to have to be qualified for my ultimate career?
8. What contributions have I made to my current organization?
9. What skills do I already possess?
Skill 1: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 2: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 3: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 4: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 5: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 6: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 7: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 8: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 9: ____________________________________________________________
Skill 10: ___________________________________________________________
Skill 11: ___________________________________________________________
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 8
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

9. 10. What obstacles will I need to overcome?
Skills and Experience development
Personal obstacles
Other
11. How can I overcome these obstacles, or barriers?
Obstacle 1
Obstacle 2
Obstacle 3
Obstacle 4
Obstacle 5
12. Is my resume up to date, based on this information, and ready to go?
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 9
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

10. Phase II – Networking On Your Own Behalf
1. Who are my current contacts ?
Contact 1
Contact 2
Contact 3
Contact 4
Contact 5
2. What are my current professional outlets?
3. What professional associations/organizations do I belong to?
_____
4. What is my involvement level with these associations?
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 10
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

11. 5. Who do I know at institutions/organizations at which I want to work?
6. How can I connect with individuals within the organization of which I want to become
a part?
Phase III – Interviewing and Negotiating
Interviewing:
1. What do I know about the organization?
2. What is the organization’s mission?
3. What are the organization’s most recent accomplishments?
4. What is the organizations strategic plan?
5. What challenges is the organization currently facing? How are they planning to meet
those challenges?
6. Has the organization been recognized in the state? The region? The nation?
Internationally?
7. What characteristics/skills do I possess that would help advance this organization?
How?
8. Why does the organization need me on their team?
9. What questions do I want to ask the interviewers about:
Mission and Vision of the organization
Work environment
Organizational Culture
Community
Position responsibilities
Professional Development opportunities
Opportunities for advancement
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop
p. 11
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

12. 10. What are my best skills?
11. What are my greatest accomplishments?
12. What are my areas of growth?
Negotiating
TRY AND GET THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BEGIN NEGOTIATING:
1. What is the amount of salary I need in order to live comfortably?
2. What is the salary range for the position I am being offered?
3. With my qualifications (skills, education, experience level), what is the average salary I
should be obtaining based on the organizations size, culture and salary information?
4. What hours am I expected to work? Regular office hours? After hour events?
Weekend work/travel?
5. What supervisory responsibility will I have?
6. What medical benefits do I require/expect?
Is there a waiting period for these benefits to begin? How long?
Do the medical benefits cover pre‐existing conditions?
How much will I have to pay out of pocket for these benefits?
Are there family benefit plans available?
Is there a corresponding dental plan? What does it entail?
Is eye care covered under this medical plan?
What is the benefit concerning prescription medication?
Does the organization sponsor a flexible benefit spending plan?
7. What are the retirement benefits?
Am I required to contribute? If so – how much?
Is there a waiting period for the benefits to begin? How long?
Do I have a choice in which retirement plan I choose? What are my options?
Does the organization contribute to my retirement plan? Is it a “matching”
arrangement, or an automatic contribution?
Does the contribution from the organization (if one is made) increase based on
the length of time I stay with the organization?
Can I use this retirement plan if and when I make my next move (i.e., for
education, a TIAA/CREF plan can move with you – it is not tied to the state or
institution you are in)?
8. What about other benefits like disability, life insurance, etc.? What does the
organization offer?
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 12
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

13. 9. Will the organization pay for any continuing formal education to help prepare me for
advancement (i.e. tuition, fees, formal certificate programs, licensing courses and
exams, etc.)? How much?
10. Are there stock options offered as part of my compensation?
11. What is the vacation policy for my level of position?
How many days/year?
What is the maximum number of vacation days I can accrue?
What happens to my vacation days if I leave my position and don’t use them all?
12. What is the sick leave policy for my level of position?
13. Does the organization reimburse or cover moving expenses?
14. What type of professional development funds are available for me to use?
15. What type of release time will I have for professional development opportunities if the
organization is not able/willing to fund my travel for these events?
ONCE OFFER HAS BEEN MADE:
It is perfectly acceptable for you to request a certain amount of time to consider the offer – so
do not feel pressured to accept it right a way. Give yourself 48 hours or so to think it over, talk
things over with your family members, evaluate your finances, lifestyle, living situation, etc.
Then, prepare yourself for the negotiation step. To do this – you need to consider the following:
1. Have I listened fully to the offer?
2. Do I completely understand the offer?
If not – ask questions! It’s okay to call back.
3. Do I know all of the answers to the questions in the first section?
4. What is a safe counter offer to the original offer they have made?
Check any open records regarding salaries, or look up information about salary
averages for similar positions in similar communities/organizations.
5. If they cannot come up with a change in salary, what alternatives can I offer?
Extra vacation days
Covering moving expenses (these can really add up!)
Short term housing as part of my compensation (some organizations, like
universities, have housing on site. Other organizations have corporate
apartments they may be able to let you use for a short period of time while you
sell your current home and look for a new one.
Additional professional development funds
Release time for educational purposes
Complimentary time (time off without using formal vacation time immediately
following very busy times for the organization)
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 13
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

14. Stock options
Higher contribution to benefits programs – be careful with this one. Know the
organizations benefits program and policies before you offer this as an
alternative
Waiving of the waiting period, if one exists, for retirement program eligibility
Use of a company car/lease vehicle
Membership fees paid for different organizations (fitness centers, professional
associations)
Expense accounts
Mileage reimbursement
Other options
NEGOTIATION
Negotiating is where most women fall short of their male colleagues in skill and confidence
levels!
When negotiating – make sure you are PREPARED! Remember that negotiating is simply that –
bargaining. It is an experience of give and take between you as the preferred candidate and the
organization as employer. It is the art of asking for what you want/need, but achieving a win‐
win between the two parties.
There is a difference between asserting yourself during a negotiation, and becoming aggressive
about getting exactly what you want. There are areas that you may not be willing to
compromise on – but you also have to understand that if these areas are not met – you must be
willing to say “no”.
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 14
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

15. Letter to Myself
June 2009
Six months ago I attended the ACUHO‐I conference and attended a session on
female career mapping. This letter serves as a reminder to keep my goals at the
forefront of all that I do and continue to work to improve my skill set.
When I think about my current job I feel:
When I think about my next career move I feel:
Some obstacles in my career progression are:
Some strategies/techniques I will use to reduce those obstacles are:
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 15
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

16. RECOMMENDED LEADERSHIP RESOURCES: AAUW
Leadership Books
Kunin, Madeleine M. and Goodwin, Doris Kearns. Pearls, Politics, and Power: How
Women Can Win and Lead. Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008.
Scumaci, Dondi. Designed for Success. Excel Books, 2008.
Eagly, Alice H. and Carli, Linda. Through the Labyrinth: The Truth about how Women
Become Leaders. Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation, 2007.
Kellerman, Barbara, and Rhode, Deborah L. Woman and Leadership: The State of
Play and Strategies for Change. Jossey-Bass, 2007.
Wilson, Marie C. Closing the Leadership Gap. Penguin, 2007.
Coughlin, Lin, Hollihan, Keith, and Wingard, Ellen. Enlightened Power: How Women
are Transforming the Practice of Leadership. Jossey-Bass, 2005.
Rhode, Deborah L. The Difference “Difference” Makes: Women and Leadership.
Stanford Law and Politics, 2002.
Ruderman, Marian N. and Ohlott, Patricia J. Standing at the Crossroads: Next Steps
for High Achieving Women. Jossey-Bass, 2002.
Bennis, Warren, et al. The Future of Leadership: Today's Top Leadership Thinkers
Speak to Tomorrow's Leaders. John Wiley & Sons, 2001.
Biech, Elaine. The Pfeiffer Book of Successful Team Building Tools: Best of the
Annuals. John Wiley & Sons, 2001.
Boswell, Laura. The Quotable Business Woman. Andrew McMeel Publishing, 2001.
Sweetman, Caroline. Women and Leadership. Oxfam Publishing, 2001.
Watkins, Jane Magruder, and Mohr, Bernard J. Appreciative Inquiry: Change at the
Speed of Imagination. John Wiley & Sons, 2001.
Wheatley, Margaret J. Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a
Chaotic World. Berrett-Koehler, 2001.
Book, Esther Wachs. Why the Best Man For the Job Is a Woman: The Unique Female
Qualities of Leadership. Harperbusiness, 2000.
Gallagher, Carol A. and Golant, Susan K. Going to the Top: A Road Map for Success
From America's Leading Women Executives. Viking Press, 2000.
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 16
ACUHO-I ACE 2009

17. Kennedy, Debbe, and Green, Sally K. Acceptance: Developing Support for Change.
Berrett-Koehler, 2000.
Lundin, Stephen C., Paul, Harry, and Christensen, John. Fish! A Remarkable Way to
Boost Morale and Improve Results. Hyperion, 2000.
Wheatley, Margaret J., and Dannemiller Tyson Associates. Whole-Scale Change:
Unleashing the Magic in Organizations. Berrett-Koehler, 2000.
Zander, Benjamin, and Zander, Rosamund Stone. The Art of Possibility: Transforming
Professional and Personal Life. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2000.
Mid and Senior Level Career Advancement Workshop p. 17
ACUHO-I ACE 2009