Connect and Grow
Advance on your career goals with tools and resources from the CMU Alumni Association during Career & Professional Development Month
By Amanda S.F. Hartle
Career & Professional Development Month may be over, but we know that a Tartan’s love of learning never stops.
We encourage you to keep expanding your knowledge and skills through our career and professional development programs and activities as you look to jump start your career, master new techniques, build your network and gain other critical tools for success.
Don’t forget to stay connected with the Alumni Association by following us on Facebook and joining with more than 110,000 CMU alumni online in Community!
Week 4: Build Your Professional Toolkit
Advice for Crafting an Image of Success with David McKnight (HNZ 1996)
The first step in constructing your image is understanding the difference between identity, image and brand, says David, president of McKnight Image Lab and author of “The Zen of Executive Presence: Build Your Business Success Through Strategic Image Management” and “Leading with Style.”
Acquire life-changing advice from David by watching his webinar “5 Secrets to Unlock Your Executive Presence.”
Harness the Power of a Professional Development Group
Share helpful resources and ask questions about your current career challenges in the Professional Development Group in Community. Take a few minutes this week to review past threads and comment or post within the group with your own insights or queries.
Week 3: Tackle the Job Search
Advice for Job Search Success from Elizabeth Gross (DC 1990)
Start out with a realistic plan for managing your search, resolve to stay organized, employ effective networking strategies and keep the momentum going, says Elizabeth, head diva at Job Search Divas.
The single most important thing you can do to improve your odds of getting an interview is to make sure the platform for your job search is solid.
Gain more tips from Elizabeth by watching her webinar “Conquering Your Job Search Journey.”
Benefit from Professional Guidance
Set up an appointment through the Alumni Career & Executive Coach Directory. CMU alumni have access to a valuable directory of fellow alumni serving as professional executive, communications and career coaches who provide discounted fee-based personalized professional development services.
Plan a session with one of the CMU Career & Professional Development Center Career Consultants. Consultants offer advice and tips on numerous essential topics including job offer evaluation or negotiation, interviewing skills and ideas and tips for job searching. This program is preferred for alumni who have graduated less than five years ago, but it is open to all.
Find Your Dream Job on Handshake
Register for Handshake, CMU’s online job board, and join the Professional Development Group in Community to browse positions posted by fellow Tartans or partner organizations.
Week 2: Strengthen Your Network
Search and Connect with Fellow Tartans
Stop by Community and say hello to old friends, while also creating new connections. Launched last fall, Community is CMU’s online hub that combines the personal connections of social media with CMU's global alumni directory, professional development resources and the latest CMU news. And, it’s only for Tartans! If you haven’t established your account yet, why not make one today?
Explore a CMU Network
As a Tartan, you have an opportunity to join one of our many volunteer-led regional, identity or student organization networks. No matter your location, your career, your favorite hobbies or what you did for fun on campus — like Buggy, Scotch‘n’Soda or Kiltie Band — there is a network for you!
Networking Advice from Juan Carlos Acosta (DC 2015)
Learn tips from Juan for building your network by checking out his webinar “From Awkward Encounters to Real Connections: Networking 101."
Be sure to bookmark Networking Like a Rock Star: Part I and Networking Like a Rock Star: Part II, for future viewing, while you’re perusing the archive.
Week 1: Expand Your Knowledge with a Virtual Event
Review the CMU Alumni Association’s upcoming online events and see what fits your interests and schedule. These webinars, panels and networking events can expand your knowledge and your career horizons, while also connecting you to your fellow alumni and Carnegie Mellon.
Sign Up for a Virtual Networking Session
We’re offering a variety of engaging virtual networking sessions to allow alumni opportunities to connect and network through hour-long Zoom meetings. Discuss how to navigate social distancing as extrovert, tips to thrive as a parent/caregiver while working from home, advice on entrepreneurship, career transitions, managing people and much more — from the comfort of your own home!
Seats are limited, so register today
Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Webinars and Online Events
Take note of informative webinars and events such as the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship’s Corporate Startup Lab Public Demo Day on May 5, Protecting your IP for Startups on May 7 and Three Vicious Circles: Links Among Financial, Physical and Mental Health on June 4.
Pay it Forward with Tartan Talks
Participate in the Career & Professional Development Center’s Tartan Talks program and welcome current CMU students to the alumni family. Sign up for 30-minute phone or video call to share your professional experiences.
