LinkedIn: Explore Alumni with your Major and the Careers they've Pursued

Due No Due Date
Points 10
Submitting a file upload

Sometimes the biggest step after selecting a major(s) is deciding what you'd like to do with that major(s). There are a lot of different career paths you can choose from. One major does not equal one career path (and vice versa). This assignment will introduce you to a number of different career options alumni just like you have chosen. (This assignment is not meant to give you an exhaustive list of career paths; there are many more out there you could discover outside of the assignment as well.)

Instructions

Step 1: Use LinkedIn to find UMD alumni that studied your major and see what jobs/internships or experiences they had that led them to their current job/position. To view complete instructions for using the Career Insights Tool on LinkedIn, watch this short video Links to an external site.. The tool is more helpful the more connections you have because you are more likely to have 2nd or 3rd level connections. If you haven't connected with people, consider doing that before starting this assignment.

Step 2: Write a one page reflection of this assignment. Consider answering the following questions in your reflection paper.

What did you find when searching LinkedIn?
What job titles/positions did you find?
What organizations did you see that you expected to see? Which surprised you?
Which positions and/or organization's interested you?
What skills or experiences did alumni list on their LinkedIn profile either in the skills or experience sections? Did you see some that you already possess or ones you plan to pursue?
What did you learn about this job/career interest of yours? What do you need to work on to be prepared to pursue it?
Did you learn anything additional from the profile about the position or about experiences/education to prepare you for a job/position/career in this area?