CREATING YOUR CAREER GAME PLAN
Make use of online events and classes Our bodies may be stuck at home, but our minds don’t have to be too! Make use of webinars and virtual events, or take online classes and certifications to upskill yourself. Employers are still holding webinars and attending virtual events to engage with students and graduates. These are fantastic ways to grow your professional network and stay in touch with what’s going in the industries of your choice – all from the comfort of your own couch. Subscribe to your dream employers’ graduate mailing lists or social media feeds so that you’ll be alerted of any online events they’ll be having, or check in with your university careers services centre to see if they know of any upcoming ones. Likewise, online classes are a great opportunity to build new employable skills in preparation for your future job prospects. The more skills you pick up to round out your skill set, the betterequipped you’ll be to land that dream job and succeed at it once the opportunities come your way.
Take care of yourself Last but not least, remember to take care of yourself. With job-hunting, a recession and everything else in between clogging up our to-do lists and newsfeeds, it can be a lot to handle all at once. Look out for signs that you’re developing anxiety. These include: • Fatigue • Difficulty sleeping • Feeling helpless • Having trouble just managing what’s presently on your plate because worries about your future keep distracting you Remember that anxiety is a normal response to uncertainties. The key is not to let it overwhelm you by overthinking what may lie ahead, but instead focus on what you can do each day – one step at a time. Focus your energy on what you can accomplish today and now, and let tomorrow’s worries be for tomorrow. Rinse and repeat from there.
Still, if the anxiety feels too much for you to handle alone, there’s nothing wrong with seeking external advice. Talk to your university counsellor, your career services coach, or any therapist or help hotline of your choice. A fresh perspective may be just what you need to keep yourself on track mentally and emotionally. At the same time, try taking up new hobbies or make time each day to do the things you enjoy, like playing online games with friends. You’re more than just your job search, after all. When all is said and done, you’ll be stronger, more resilient and better-equipped than ever for your dream career!
directory 2022 | 23
