Chances are you’ve heard that Theodore Roosevelt quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Chances are also that you’ve managed to still get sucked into the comparison trap while scrolling through social media or hearing about the success of friends and colleagues.
While comparison is a normal brain function, it can become disruptive to your health and wellbeing and may even make it harder to advance in your career if it affects your mindset too much.
When you’re looking for your dream job, it’s easy to get discouraged when it takes a while to get an offer. While it’s true that landing a job often takes a long time, it can be helpful to have a Plan B option in mind for when your Plan A just isn’t in the cards.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have experienced changes to their employment. This may include layoffs, furloughs, reduction of hours, and of course, shifting to working from home. It’s completely normal to feel upset, but there are steps you can take to calmly respond to these employment changes and get on the right track through intentional job searches and networking.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on day to day life and will likely contribute to some longer term changes—particularly in regards to working remotely, traveling less, and more classes behind held online. There is still so much that remains unknown, it can feel impossible to plan. For those considering what their career path will look like or how it might change, this can feel especially challenging.
Dr. Shamva Wright-Shingler
Dr. Shamva Wright-Shingler, Chairperson and Professor of The School of Health Professions, shares her insights on remote learning for our Faculty Spotlight.
This year has proved to be especially challenging for mental health as people have adjusted to working and going to school remotely while navigating intense fears and emotions along with shifts in responsibilities at home as well. Even as some parts of the country open up, many workplaces remain closed or are beginning to operate with staggered hours or lighter schedules.
While an informational interview is not a job interview, it’s a powerful way to get insight into whether a particular career path or job would be a good fit for you. They can also help you grow your network. While not a formal job interview, asking thoughtful questions during an informational interview can help you not only gain valuable insight, but also to make a positive impression, which can sometimes end up leading to a job offer further down the road.
There are many benefits to working or attending school remotely, but fighting procrastination can be a challenge. Not surprisingly, simply telling yourself not too procrastinate won’t work. Instead, take a more structured approach to make it easier to stay on track and meet your deadlines without stressing yourself out or having to rush at the last minute.
Dr. Schacht and little Nina
CW Faculty share their insights on teaching remotely even adding a little humor. Hear from Dr. Erica Schacht, Dean of First Year Experience, Senior Chairperson and Professor of General Education.
Yes, your technical abilities matter a lot when you’re looking for a job, but how much thought have you given to your soft skills? While soft skills can’t be measured in the same way that “hard skills” (think: reading comprehension and math skills) can, but research has shown that many employers actually care even more about those soft skills like communication, adaptability, and problem solving.