Being Da Vinci: Helping Our Alumni Sculpt

New Identities for a Changing World

Presented by:Meridith Apfelbaum, M.S.

Assistant Director for Alumni Career ServicesHiatt Career Center, Brandeis University

Workshop Overview

Da Vinci: Poster Child for Current Economy Alumni: Career Counseling Appointments Alumni: Expanded Resources for All Stages of

Career Development Alumni: Programming Plans for Future of Alumni Career Services Q & A

Da Vinci: Poster Child for Current Economy

Painter, Sculptor, Scientist, Inventor, Mathematician, Philosopher, Vegetarian!

Help alumni clients to find their “Inner Da Vinci” Identify and promote transferable skills and

talents across fields/sectors – think broadly Normal for people to change jobs and careers

multiple times during their working life – Help them be comfortable with change!

Alumni: Career Counseling Appointments Increase in alumni appointments 2007 – 2008: 400 half-hour 2008 – 2009: 800 hour-long

We have changed policy: No longer 1 – 5 years out. Unlimited appointments for all class years.

This year we saw alumni from the 50’s – 2008. Majority were from 80’s, 90’s, and past 9 years.

Alumni: Career Counseling Appointments 60% over the phone 40% in-office Brandeis House/Alumni Reunion Weekend

Top 3 Reasons: Job Search – due to lay-off, relocation, reduced

hours Career Exploration/Change – people are taking

the opportunity to reinvent themselves Graduate/Law School Application Process

Alumni: Career Counseling AppointmentsStrengthened Relationship with Alumni Relations

and Development Offices:

Promote appointments through monthly alumni newsletters, listing our web site on their site, student phone-a-thon workers

Now provide us with access to alumni who are willing to participate in programming that will benefit our current students; panels, networking events, shadow mentors, and funding sources for internships and fellowships

Expanded Online Alumni Resources We created a new alumni web site last summer. Alumni LOVE having a tailored online resource

just for them. Our Alumni Career Articles have been especially

timely.

http://www.brandeis.edu/hiatt/

Expanded Physical Library Resources

Selected Titles: “How to Say It on Your Resume” – templates for

a variety of situations; career changer “In Transition” – great reflection exercises “The Career Guide for Creative and

Unconventional People” “Conquering Your Quarterlife Crisis” “Second Acts” – guide to reinventing yourself

Expanded Alumni Programming

Key Programs & Initiatives for 08-09

Networking Workshop for Boston Alumni Club Tutorial of Hiatt’s Online Resources for Boston Alumni Club Managing Your Career in Tough Economic Times: Tips for the Mid-Career

Professional or Job Changer - during Alumni Reunion Weekend January NYC & DC Alumni & Student Networking Events Fall & Spring Career Fairs Green Career Forum Doctors Without Borders Alumni Keynote Get the Scoop on Life After ‘Deis Alumni Law School Advice Guide Summer & Winter Break Alumni/Student Shadowing Program

Moving Forward: Plans for 2009-2010 School Year

Continued Collaboration with Boston, NY, & DC Alumni Clubs

Archived Online Workshops & Podcasts Live Webinars – to reach larger audiences Skype for individual career counseling

appointments across the globe

Da Vinci: Words of Wisdom

“Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else.”

Q & A