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Tips for Start Up

 

  1. Choose a leader

    • elect or pick someone who will be in charge

    • that person will schedule meetings, lead discussions, send emails, keep track of documents and information

    • also responsible for providing guidance whenever possible
       

  2. Designate a time and place

    • choose a set time and place for monthly meetings - participants will be able to plan accordingly

    • make it a BYO lunch meeting or pool money for a pizza!

    • ideally, meet once a month to accomplish one step of the program at a time
       

  3. Keep track of progress

    • have someone keep meeting minutes - jot notes down at each meeting, then type them up and send them to the group post-meeting

    • encourage students to record their individual progress too - their career matches, the research they did on these careers, their list of skills - all the work from the assignments

    • start a Google Drive to share all of the above documentation

    • if you continue the Ladder Program for several rounds, new participants will benefit from the information posted by previous participants

    • as particpants graduate and find jobs, track their success and keep their contact information
       

  4. Communicate often

    • consider starting a Facebook page or LinkedIn group so that you can share relevant links and articles with one another

    • helps students with common career interests share local opportunities (like career development events on or near campus)
       

  5. Seek professional support

    • consider asking a faculty member to serve as an advisor - provides a non-student perspective (make sure that person is supportive of non-academic careers too)

    • seek help from your campus career center

    • contact career coaches for advice - there are many that specifically focus on graduate student career development (see Useful Links)

    • this is especially useful for the resume/CV and networking steps
       

  6. Adapt as necessary 

    • if you see the need for an additional step, add it! (and let us know about it!)

    • expand on steps participants seem most interested in - add extra meetings if needed

    • tailor the program to the participants - think about your fields of study and your related needs
       

  7. Keep it going

    • the Ladder Program is designed to run annually

    • have a student from the previous year help lead the current year's program

    • look back to notes and information kept by previous years for additional guidance

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