Career searching in the post-COVID-19 world

Seeking out a new career path at any age is a daunting and challenging task.

No matter how many professional positions you’ve held, you can find yourself questioning how to network with the right people and set yourself up as the best candidate for the role that you desire. Most often, face-to-face interaction is suggested: Job seekers are encouraged to attend professional events, meet up with mentors for coffee, or drop off a resume in person. But with the global pandemic upon us in 2020, we must become creative in our job-seeking approach in order to be successful.

COVID-19 has forced the world to virtualize: School days, work shifts, and social events are continuously maturing to maximize success, while folks remain distanced in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. But there are still many unique and effective ways to search for a career on a virtual scale, regardless of your professional experience.

One way to utilize the extensive Penn State network at your fingertips is to join LionLink. Using this platform, you can search for alumni in your field of interest and connect with them for career mentorship. You also have the chance to return the favor as a mentor for someone else in need!

With the network of Nittany Lions spanning the globe, staying involved with alumni groups through social media can provide additional opportunities for networking and career exploration.

Joining Penn State Facebook groups, following Twitter accounts, and searching for Instagram pages can help you meet people with common goals and backgrounds. Often, you can find specialized groups to narrow your peer group, as well—from Blue Band to Greek life to club sports teams.

Utilizing LinkedIn to the fullest extent is another career-searching tactic with often-overlooked potential. Conducting a LinkedIn search for Penn State, you can sift through pages of alumni and discover the various careers they have pursued. You can also search for companies of interest and scan the employees for fellow Penn State alumni.

Finding common ground with peers is a great way to break the ice and build a network. What better relation than to be a part of the Penn State family!

So are you ready to get connected with professional Penn State alumni? Start here, with the Eberly College of Science Alumni Society.