David Schachter Leads Discussion on "Composing Your Career"

Change is the spirit of the day - from fluctuating financial markets to the credit crunch to rising unemployment. In today's uncertain times, it seems that everyone is struggling to figure out, "What is next?" and "How do I get there?"

On October 23, 2008, David Schachter, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, led a 90-minute talk entitled "Composing Your Career" for 42 Steinhardt alumni and friends. Schachter began the evening by inquiring about the guests' current professional situations, future directions, and the steps they are taking to achieve their goals. Schachter quickly learned that the crowd had diverse pursuits: some hoped to move away from a corporate setting and transition into more creative careers; others were looking to make the next leap in their profession; and some were facing the close of their careers and needed to determine "What's next?"

Schachter explained that each job search has two parts: your interest, and the employer's interest. Describing his belief that "planning and serendipity" get you where you want to be, Schachter shared the words of Louis Pasteur, quoting, "Chance favors the prepared mind," and asked guests to remember this as the evening progressed.

Planning, Schachter explained, requires combining your potential interests with the needs of real employers for real jobs. He walked the audience through a track exercise, a three-step process that includes brainstorming, analysis, and synthesis. Designed to help you hone in on the kinds of organizations and jobs out there based on the kinds of things you're drawn to, the exercise allows you to marry these elements and identify potential "tracks" for you to explore.

Advising guests that knowing what you do want to do is much more important than what you do not want to do, Schachter encouraged everyone to have a ready-made 90 second pitch stating what you want and why. This places emphasis on the positive, which, Schachter contends, will have a powerful impact on your network as well as potential employers.

The key to your success, Schachter explained, is being prepared as you go through the process of finding your next job.

"Through evaluating your skills, and the skills needed [for the position] you can more adequately assess how you can fill the gap," says Schachter. He went on to explain that an employer is looking for someone who can do the job and can prove it through relevant experience, skills, and knowledge; will do the job and can demonstrate passion and understanding of the organization's mission and a demonstrated interest in the profession or field; and lastly, a candidate who will fit into the organization's culture.

Schachter told audience members to be SEER's: Smart, Experienced, Engaged, and Reflective. He then challenged them to put theory into practice, asking each person to test him/herself that evening by making three new connections with others who attended the session.

"Composing Your Career" was the first in a multi-part series of workshops offered by the Steinhardt Alumni Relations Team. For more information on upcoming events, please visit the Steinhardt Alumni Calendar.