Career Development Strategies,

Reaching Agreement on Terms of Employment, and

The Consulting Option

7th March 2011

In this class we will focus on three topics each of which we have touched upon already but that merit more detailed consideration. In preparation for the session please think about the questions you have and the experiences you can offer with regard to each of the topics on the agenda below. As in previous classes we will use your questions and experiences in addressing the topics.

In preparation for the discussion about Reaching Agreement on Terms of Employment please review the list of issues that was provided by CollegeGrad.com in the section on Job Offer Negotiation. Even though this is written for the U.S. context it is a very good check list for any country. For some local comparative data see the 2007 Membership Survey done for PIBC.

If you are considering consulting on your own then you need to learn about what is involved in operating a business. Scan the web site of Small Business BC, to see where you can learn more and get a sense of what is involved.

Agenda

Career Development Strategies (30 minutes)

• Where would you like your career to take you over the next 5 years? And beyond?
• How can the first job and subsequent positions prepare you for where you would like to be in the future?
• What capabilities do you want to develop after graduating that are needed for meeting your future career goals?
• What kind of initial and follow-on jobs will provide you with the best opportunities for advancing your capabilities and experience?
• Who are the individuals from whom you would like to learn in your early positions?

Reaching Agreement on Terms of Employment (30 minutes)

• See check lists in Job Offer Negotiation

The Consulting Option (30 minutes)

• How is working as a consultant different?
  • In a multi-person consulting company?
  • On your own?
• How do you get started in consulting?
• Running a small business