Katharine Brooks - What Color Is Your Parachute? for College Pave Your Path from Major to Meaningful Work.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my agent, Bonnie Solow, who never fails to guide me brilliantly through the publishing process. And to my excellent editors Ashley Pierce and copyeditor Andrea Chesman who made the writing and editing process go smoothly in spite of the world events of 2020.

Thank you to my students and colleagues at the excellent schools where I have had the honor of directing their career centers: Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Dickinson College. I cherish the many relationships and friendships that I developed throughout my time at each school.

Finally, I want to thank the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) for their pivotal role in furthering the careers of so many college and university professionals. The people at NACE have provided me with support, guidance, education, and fellowship throughout my career and I am eternally grateful.

About the Author

Katharine Brooks, EdD , is an award-winning, nationally certified counselor and career coach who is currently the Evans Family Executive Director of the Career Center for Vanderbilt University. She has also directed career centers at The University of Texas at Austin, Wake Forest University, and Dickinson College. She is the author of You Majored in What? Designing Your Path From College to Career and co-author of What Color Is Your Parachute? 2021. She writes a blog, Career Transitions, for Psychology Today.

Conclusion

Final Instructions for the Trip

You made it! Congratulations on finishing this book.

If you simply read the book, youve learned a lot about the search. I hope you feel more confident and ready to tackle the job market, no matter what it looks like. But to get the most out of this book, consider going back to the beginning and completing the exercises. You will be surprised at how much more you will learn about yourself and where you fit in the workplace.

The best part of learning the Parachute System is that you can use it for the rest of your life. Every time you think about changing a job, changing your career, going to graduate school, or any other future ideas, this system will be here to help you. You will always start a search with you first. Each time you revisit the system, you will be new with additional skills, knowledge, and interests.

Remember this system is designed to work regardless of the job market. You just have to double down and work harder when the job market is tight.

By focusing on your skills and knowledge, you will continue to find success in the workplace; and if you keep in touch with your interests and values, you will also find happiness.

You are never alone in this search. People will help you every step of the way if you simply ask. And let this book be your companion as well.

Safe landings!

Notes

CHAPTER 1

Start Off Strong

Challenges, Majors, and a Plan

Kayla just arrived on campus and shes already caught in a whirlwind of orientation activities. One of her required sessions is with the career center. Seriously? shes thinking. I just got here and they want to talk about what Ill do when I leave? Id just like to know where the dining hall is. But she goes, because she has to, listens to a list of services and makes a mental note that someday, one day, shell think about that. Because right now, shes got way too many other things on her mind.

Does this sound familiar? Have you felt overwhelmed almost since you arrived? Maybe you never followed up on that plan to visit the career center in your first semester? Thats okay. While its important for you to know that the center is there and will help you, its fine to focus on more immediate needs such as the dining hall and your classes.

That said, there are some decisions youll need to make relatively early in your time in college, and starting to think about possible career options can be helpful. This chapter will help you identify and reduce those common stressors in college and in the job search and help you make some early critical decisions.

Overcoming Challenges in College and With the Job Search

Part of landing safely in your future involves staying healthy and keeping your stress level down, no matter what is happening in the world. Lets take a look at some of the internal challenges you might be facing, not only in college but also in your job search.

EXPECTATIONS

Expectations equal pressure. Does it feel like everyone has a plan for you? Maybe youre not only expected to do well in your classes but everyone says you need to build your resume by participating in all sorts of activities, doing internships, getting great summer jobs, and more.

• Maybe youre trying to fulfill family expectationseveryone from your great-grandfather on has been an attorney so youre expected to do the same.

• Maybe youre the first in your family to go to college, and now everyones looking at you to succeed and achieve. You dont want to let anyone down, right?

• What expectations might you be placing on yourself?

• Are you a perfectionist who always has to hit the mark?

• Have you always been the science superstar, and now youre facing much more difficult science courses in college?

• Are you trying hard to fit in or joining lots of groups to be popular or just more social?

Taking note of the expectations youre experiencing is important when you start thinking about your career choices.

COMPARISONITIS

Yes, comparisonitis is a thing. With social media and lots of attention placed on winninghowever thats definedthe pressure to do better and be better is nonstop. Its all about looking good. Its easy to look around and see what your fellow students are doing and then compare yourself to them favorably or not. Its like everyone has a ruler out, and theyre measuring the differences between themselves and others, feeling great if they are doing better, but feeling defeated if theyre not. Its hard to focus on yourself and enjoy your life when youre busy watching others. But if your focus is on what careers other students are pursuing, you arent focusing on your career choices.

FEAR OF MISSING OUT

Related to comparisonitis, fear of missing out can leave you feeling like you can never relax. Relaxing is dangerous because you might miss something. You constantly worry that past decisions were mistakes. You have this ongoing undercurrent of concern that there is something you should have done, or should be doing now.

FEELING OVERWHELMED

Too much stuff, right? Just too many assignments, too many new friends, too many parties or distractions, too many interests. And now youre supposed to find this great internship or job. Its easy to feel overwhelmed, particularly if you tend to be introverted or shy. All the newness and group-living situations can make you feel like you need to find a cave somewhere and hide. Despite what you might think, youre definitely not alone. Pretty much everyone is feeling overwhelmed despite the images they project.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME

Do you ever feel like you dont belong, or you dont have the proper background to be where you are? Like someone made a big mistake in hiring you or selecting you for a special program or honor? You are not the only one. Career centers hear this concern almost daily. When complimented on a recent internship they completed, students say, Oh anyone could have gotten it. Or when asked to talk about awards they received, Oh, I was just lucky that day. They express uncertainty as in, Am I really good enough? You are. You belong.