Managing Your Career: Clarifying/Changing Careers

Whether you are a recent graduate or have been in the work world for a while, you may be looking for information and/or advice to assist you in defining the next step in your career. CDC offers resources to assist.

CDC Services and Resources
Career Resource Area (CRA)
Whether you are starting out or looking at a career change it will be necessary to do some research. If you are in the Binghamton area stop in and use the Career Resource Area (CRA), a reference collection of materials for researching careers, graduate schools, short term experiences, or employers. Use the on-line catalog of these materials to identify specific items.

Quick Reference Guides

• Identifying Your Values (35kb pdf)
• "Top Ten" Strengths Exercise (32.5kb pdf)
• Networking and Informational Interviewing (64.5 kb pdf)
• Transferable Skills (34.5kb pdf)

Programs and Events
Throughout the academic year, CDC sponsors programs that can be useful to alumni who are investigating career options. Check the Events portion CDC's website for dates and times.

Alumni Association Professional Network

Through the Binghamton University Alumni Association Professional Network on LinkedIn, you can connect with other members of the Binghamton University community. If you're a Binghamton graduate looking to connect with other Binghamton graduates, you may want to join the Alumni-to-Alumni Professional Network subgroup. Reaching out to alumni can be a great way to expand your professional network and possibly find the next great career opportunity.

Pursuing an Advanced Degree
Use our Quick Reference Guides for advice on deciding whether to pursue an advanced degree, learn about the process, collecting letters of reference, and writing application essays.

• Applying to Graduate School (69kb pdf)
  
• Writing a Personal Statement (50kb pdf)

Individual Assistance and Counseling
The Career Development Center offers individual counseling (in person or telephone appointment and email) to Binghamton University graduates up to six months after graduation.  After this time, alumni seeking individual assistance for career change or job search are encouraged to contact their local resources for assistance.  Examples include:

• The New York State Department of Labor and Workforce New York
• The Division of Employment Services offices provide convenient "one-stop shopping" for employment-related needs. They offer many programs in a single location – including career-related assistance and services for employers. Some offices are located in One-Stop Career Centers, where the Department of Labor works in tandem with county and local workforce agencies. A county by county listing of Employment Offices is also available.
• Career One Stop, sponsored by the US Department of Labor, is a source for employment, career exploration and career change.  It enables you to identify services near you in all 50 states.
• National Career Development Association (NCDA) provides a state-by-state list of career counseling professionals. Click on ‘Career Center’ then on ‘Need a Career Counselor?’
• Additional Resources for Metro New York Alumni: Training, Job Placement & Career Counseling Services from the Brooklyn Public Library

Career Exploration Websites of Interest

• Skills Survey

Links for Career Ideas

• O*Net Online
• Careerzone
• America's Career InfoNet
• Wetfeet.com Careers & Industries
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Occupational Outlook Quarterly

Not for Profit Sector

• Idealist Mid-Career Transitions Resource Center

Federal Government

• Are You Experienced? How Boomers Can Help Our Government Meet Its Talent Needs

The following links may be helpful in researching specific fields:

• Exploring Career Options

The website of the Career Development Center at Binghamton University contains links to other websites as a convenience for its users and is not responsible for the contents of any linked site.