Interchange: 5 Years After University
From todays interchange I walked away feeling a lot more confident and less worried about the outcome after I finish university. Jennifer discussed with us the 5 stages that need to be considered in lead up to our dream job, and like she said.. even if that doesn't work it isn't the end. It simply means to go back and make slight changes to our original plans.
Stage 1: Finding Your Dream Job
We were given a set of 15 questions to answer which would help us discover what type of job was for us. Whether it be working within a group or individually, or perhaps we feel that time off is necessary so a job that gives you the option. We also had to set up for failure, by figuring out which 5 completely different jobs we'd like to do if our dream job doesn't go to plan.
These 15 questions summed us up as an individual, finding out what we liked, how we like to work and what role we would like to work as.
Stage 2: Research The Path
Next we had to think of 5 jobs related to our course that we have considered/ would like to do in 5 years time. I picked: (1) freelance work in the field of weddings/ family portraiture/ events. (2) Photographing for a fashion catalogue. (3) Photographing/ creating moving image for a campaign/ advertisement. (4) Photographing for housing agencies. (5) Photographing food for advertisement/ design.
With these jobs in mind, we were then told to research into them and find out what they require. Perhaps you require additional training/ experience before going into it.
Jennifer gave us a few ways of finding these jobs also, such as Photo Studio, within the Guardian and inside travel magazines.
We were then told to find 5 people who hold our dream jobs and find what path they took to get there, and whether or not it applied to you.
Within a job everyone has there strengths and weaknesses. For myself, my weakness is time management and independence. However I'm stronger in organisation and a good listener. SWOT: strength, weakness, opportunities and threats is something that Jennifer recommended we go through when applying for a job.
Stage 3: Plan Your Dream Job
Jennifer gave us a few points to look at and consider when planning for our dream job, they are the following...
These 15 questions summed us up as an individual, finding out what we liked, how we like to work and what role we would like to work as.
Stage 2: Research The Path
Next we had to think of 5 jobs related to our course that we have considered/ would like to do in 5 years time. I picked: (1) freelance work in the field of weddings/ family portraiture/ events. (2) Photographing for a fashion catalogue. (3) Photographing/ creating moving image for a campaign/ advertisement. (4) Photographing for housing agencies. (5) Photographing food for advertisement/ design.
With these jobs in mind, we were then told to research into them and find out what they require. Perhaps you require additional training/ experience before going into it.
Jennifer gave us a few ways of finding these jobs also, such as Photo Studio, within the Guardian and inside travel magazines.
We were then told to find 5 people who hold our dream jobs and find what path they took to get there, and whether or not it applied to you.
Within a job everyone has there strengths and weaknesses. For myself, my weakness is time management and independence. However I'm stronger in organisation and a good listener. SWOT: strength, weakness, opportunities and threats is something that Jennifer recommended we go through when applying for a job.
Stage 3: Plan Your Dream Job
Jennifer gave us a few points to look at and consider when planning for our dream job, they are the following...
- Emphasise and focus on your strengths
- Eliminate weaknesses
- Take advantage of opportunities
- Address your threats
- Schedule specific, achievable goals
With the goals they must...
- Be firm/ measurable
- Have a deadline
- Small short term goals
- Large long term goals
The last point was very important, and especially for someone like myself who struggles to find the confidence and time to plan things.
With the short term goals, they will eventually help in the lead up to the longer term goals.
Such goals for a photographer and for myself could be:
- Assist at least 2 photographer this term
- Produce 2 shoots per week
- Visit 2 museums/ galleries per month
- Create a website/ portfolio
- Save within a year for new equipment
Stage 4: Networking - Get to know the right people
- Know why you are contacting a person
- Make a powerful impression
- Learn something from every contact
- Get two referrals from every contact
- Contact every new referral you receive
- Thank them!!!!
- Keep a list of follow-up activities (i.e. who gave you the contact, how did you meet them, etc).
We were then sent of to network with people we'd never met within our group. At first it was very awkward not knowing what to say and trying not to talk too much about yourself. After the 3rd person things became more comfortable and easier as questions to ask came naturally as you'd already warmed up with the first two people.
Stage 5: Ask For Help
There are hot, warm and cold contacts.
- Hot - someone you know very well
- Warm - someone you know through someone else
- Cold - someone you've never met
Revise Your Plan
Towards the end of the session, we were given the advice to just revise our plans monthly to assess and revise from it. There might be something you want to change or rethink based on new information. Setbacks happen, therefore you need to plan on them and set up new challenges. If you're ahead of your schedule, set higher goals and don't slow down.
1 Year Plan
At the end of the session, we then were asked to review a 1 year plan. Where we could see ourselves in a years time once we complete our degree. Will we continue into MA? Will we already be within a placement? Start to plan now for the future.
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