Get ready for the boost in 2022!

Around this time of year it is common to feel a little run down from the year that has been, and well let’s face it, if you’re feeling a little more than run down after 2021 … you’re not alone.

After taking some time away from your studies and work, you might start to feel a boost in your energy levels as you step into 2022 and revisit questions about your life and career.

Where might you be going next on this journey, what might 2022 have in store, and how do you build on that initial boost of energy you are feeling and get 2022 started on a positive note?

Read on for some things you can do throughout January to help you get started.

1. Resume makeover

An obvious one, but a good one to start with. Going through your resume and committing to giving it a good makeover is a great opportunity to think about the skills and experience you’ve had, what you’ve enjoyed doing over the years, identifying any gaps and thinking about what you might like to experience next.

To have your resume reviewed at any time of the day, submit it via the Rate My Resume tool.

2. Write things down

Set some time aside each day or week to identify and write down any experience you had where you felt energised or engaged … or both! What were you doing in these moments?

Review what you have written at the end of January and try identifying some common themes in what you recalled. These are great clues and can help you decide decisions you are making throughout the year.

3. Be curious about the career decisions of others

What do you do? is one of the most common question people ask each other when they first meet. How much further do you take that conversation beyond oh cool ok?

How about taking it a little further and asking some more questions. Start with: what inspired you to do that? Your curiosity could take you anywhere!

4. Go incognito with LinkedIn

Students from as early as first year are using LinkedIn. You may not have loads of experience to put on it but start with your education, join some groups of interest and have a look around. Consider setting up a LinkedIn profile in private mode so you can get comfortable with the platform before you go public.

Access the LinkedIn resources to help you to start.

5. Explore the careers of UTS Alumni on LinkedIn

A common question all students ask is what they can do with their degree after they graduate. The Alumni tool on LinkedIn is a great place to start in answering this question. Find out what others are doing with the same degree as you and learn how to use the LinkedIn Alumni tool.

6. Mind map 2022

The biggest blocker of any ideas you might have about your life and career is you, and that part of your brain that judges many of your great ideas. One way to bypass this judgement is to use a mind map.

Consider doing a mind map about 2022 and see what comes up for you. When thinking about 2022, think about what interests you want to explore or experiences you want to have.

7. Commit to answering some questions

What questions are you asking yourself about your life and career right now? Writing then down might be a helpful first step to committing to which one you start working on first. Try to identify which one you feels the most important to address first.

You might find it helpful to bring this question to a Career Coaching appointment at UTS Careers.

8. Check out who’s hiring

Spend some time looking at the job opportunities on CareerHub and get familiar with the platform. The opportunities are specifically targeting students so you are in the right place!

9. Speak with a mentor

Set up a profile on the UTS Professional Mentoring Platform, check out the discussion forum and reach out to mentors who are ready and willing to provide support to UTS students. This is a supportive platform for you to test out those questions you have been asking yourself about your career.

10. Jump on board with UTS Careers express appointments

Book an express appointment with UTS Careers in the new year to learn more about how UTS Careers and support you with some of the things you have been considering with regards to your career.

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash