The UW-Madison Graduate School is piloting a new Individual Career Exploration & Development Advising program beginning this semester. Graduate students in a research-based master’s or doctoral program* are eligible for up to three individual career advising sessions per semester with Elizabeth Hart, the Associate Director of Career Development in the UW-Madison Graduate School.
Elizabeth holds a M.S.Ed in Higher Education Administration and a BA in English. She has over ten years of experience supporting students, with a focus on graduate students, in navigating their educational experience and resources; creating a resume of learning experiences; and communicating skills, experiences, and research with others in meaningful ways. She strives to demystify the “hidden curriculum” of graduate school, guiding students in navigating systems (within the institution and beyond), in networking and developing meaningful relationships, and in engaging in various experiential learning opportunities that foster professional skill-building and the exploration of ways in which students can apply academic training to academic and non-academic career paths.
Individual career advising appointments may cover the following topics:
- Career Exploration: Discuss career options and strategies to narrow possible career paths within our outside academia. Learn how different pathways might fit your values, skills, and interests. These meetings could include a skills or values assessment, goal-setting or creating an individual development plan (IDP), or cover specific questions.
- Career Materials Review/Feedback: Receive and discuss feedback on job documents (CV/resume, cover letter, diversity statement, teaching statement, etc.) Materials must be uploaded at least 48 business hours in advance of this meeting or the meeting will be rescheduled.
- Quick Career Consultation: This shorter session is great for answering specific and briefer questions around your career exploration, job search, or navigating career development opportunities across the UW campus.
- Networking/LinkedIn: Get started with LinkedIn or networking, discuss effective ways to build out your profile, explore opportunities to network and connect with various industry representatives or engage across campus.
- Interview & Negotiation Preparation: Discuss strategies to prepare and approach the interview or negotiation of a position. Practice a mock interview and/or discuss specific types of interview questions and responses.
- Navigating your Current Position: Talk through making the most of your time as a graduate student and research/teaching/project assistant or intern. These meetings might be helpful when navigating new situations, team environments, or supervision/mentorship relationships.
To Schedule a session, visit their page here.
* This new offering from the Graduate School is intended to address gaps in access to career advising. Graduate students enrolled in service-based pricing programs, such as online and accelerated programs, are ineligible for this service. Graduate students who have access to career services within their school or college, such as the College of Engineering, School of Education, School of Business, and others, should seek 1:1 advising at those offices.