Developing Your Career: Steps to Take Early in Your Specialization
August 25, 2017
August 25, 2017
As you enter your specialization this fall, start exploring potential career paths.
You have an opportunity to begin to ask new questions about how your studies are equipping you for next steps after school and, ultimately, to pursue an exciting career that matters to you.
You may have a clear picture of what your long-term plans are, or you might not be sure yet. Whether you fall into one, the other, or somewhere in between, challenge yourself to get curious about your experiences this year and start asking what they mean to you. If you take a moment to consider how much you like (or dislike!) each of your course topics or what types of conversations or research excites and energizes you, you can start to develop a clear picture of what you know about yourself and what may or may not work for you moving forward. You might be surprised to find that as you start to feel excited about your personal and professional development, you will likely also experience increased motivation to succeed academically and find greater interest in your chosen coursework.
Keep in mind – career planning is a lot like goal setting. If you want to make it through your organic chemistry class with a good grade, you'll need to set up some steps and timelines in between the first class and the final exam to help you achieve that goal. Similarly, if you want to achieve a certain dream job/career after graduation, you'll need to break that goal down into manageable pieces, kind of like an action plan.
Once you've asked yourself those questions, identify 3 things you can do this year to explore yourself and your career options. Here are some suggestions.
Find your competitive edge
Explore career possibilities and networking opportunities specific to your specialization. Discover what you can do with your Science degree.
Visit your prof or TA in their office hours
Not only can your professor or TA answer course-related questions, they're also happy to talk about their work and research.
Chat with a senior student in your specialization
Learn from their experiences and get both academic and career advice.
Attend events in Science
There are numerous free career-building events for Science students.
Participate in Science Co-op
Gain industry work experience and build your network. Check out the Science Co-op program.
Find part-time jobs on campus
Develop valuable skills in a position flexible to your timetable. Explore student jobs at UBC.
Get advice from a mentor
Connect with an industry professional or senior student to learn more about the careers you're interested in. Find a mentor.
Conduct informational interviews
Chat with an individual to gain an understanding of their occupation or the industry they're working in. Reach out for an informational interview.
Written by a Career Educator at the UBC Career Centre who is an expert in career development. Connect with additional resources and workshop schedules from the UBC Career Centre online.
We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.
Learn more: Musqueam First Nation