The second installment of the FGLI Career Development Series was the “Exploring Career Paths While Being FGLI” session. This was something I was particularly interested in because, although discussions about finding a career after graduation are common, they are less often framed within the context of FGLI students. Personally, it still feels a bit intimidating to go to the career center, despite knowing about the plethora of resources available, because of my seeming lack of pre-exposed knowledge. Therefore, I was very excited to talk about this topic during today’s session.
In this session, Aaron delved deeper into his story and provided a more detailed account of how he navigated his career path immediately after college. Listening to his story, I was reminded of what Ms. Sherwin had told me about a career path not being a straight line, and I realized her words rang true. Aaron highlighted the importance of networking, not only in finding his first position outside of Wesleyan but also in securing subsequent roles throughout his career. His narrative underscored the value of building and maintaining connections, which he credited as pivotal in his professional journey.
We then split into pairs and discussed our own career interests. I mentioned to my partner that I was unsure of my current career plans since I wasn’t confident in my ability to secure the job I wanted post-graduation. To my surprise, my partner confessed that she was also unsure of her post-graduate plans. This revelation was both comforting and enlightening; it made me realize that uncertainty is a common feeling among FGLI students and that we are not alone in navigating these challenges.
Aaron then led us through an exercise designed to help us explore potential career paths. He provided us with thought questions that prompted us to list our skills, interests, and values, and then identify how these could translate into various career options. This activity was incredibly useful as it forced me to think critically about my strengths and how they could be applied in different professional contexts. For instance, I realized that my analytical skills, developed through my economics courses, could be valuable in fields like project management or market research, which I had not previously considered.
The session concluded with a Q&A segment where Aaron addressed our concerns and provided additional advice. One question that stood out to me was about dealing with the fear of failure, which many of us expressed. Aaron’s response was encouraging; he emphasized that failure is a natural part of the learning process and that each setback provides valuable lessons that contribute to personal and professional growth. He also reminded us that being proactive and seeking out resources, like those offered by the career center, can significantly mitigate these fears.
Overall, this session was incredibly impactful. It provided me with practical tools and insights to navigate my career path more confidently. It also reinforced the importance of community and support networks, especially for FGLI students who may feel isolated or unsure about their future. I left the session feeling more determined to take proactive steps toward my career goals, knowing that I have the support of my peers and the resources of the Gordon Career Center to guide me. I am eagerly looking forward to the next event in the series and continuing this journey of professional development.
