Blackboard to Boardroom series. Career Transitions Alumni Event by Rebecca Dirnfield November 13, 2014

1. {
Career Transitions
Staying Afloat in the Early Stages of Career
Development

2. 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."

3. Is there a positive message out
there?

4. 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 ?

5. 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

7. 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

8. 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 where
I 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

9. "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

10. A Holistic Approach
Professional Development
Personal Development
Mental Well Being
Community
Learning

11. Holistic Approach in Action
Learning
o BA
o MA
o CWC
Community
o School peers/professors
o Guest blog writers
o Coworkers
Mental Well Being
o Self Reflection
o Celebrating all
achievements
o Maintaining social and
healthy lifestyle
Personal Development
o 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 Transition
Professional Development
o Organizational membership
o Networking events
o Job opportunities
o Guest speaking
engagements

13. www.graduatesintransition.com