Sara E. Walker’s Post

🚀 Exciting Career Journey Reflection 🚀 As I embark on the initial stages of my career journey, I've come across some invaluable lessons in professional integrity and workplace dynamics. 🌐 🔍Honesty Matters: Just as it's wrong to provide false information on a resume, misrepresenting job responsibilities is equally detrimental. Upholding transparency creates a foundation for trust and credibility. 💼 Professional Conduct: Choosing to leave an organization is a personal decision, but it's essential to handle it with grace. Back-biting and negativity not only tarnish the reputation but also contribute to a toxic work environment. 🌟 Navigating Work Politics: Early in my internship quest, I've encountered the nuances of workplace politics. Learning to navigate these intricacies is a crucial skill, fostering a positive and collaborative professional environment. Let's embrace the challenges, learn from experiences, and build a foundation for a successful career. 💪 #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkplaceIntegrity

Summer is an ideal time to invest in your professional growth. Since the summer typically offers a slower pace, it provides a nice opportunity to think through your career. Consider taking these 5 steps to ready yourself for the increase in job openings come fall. ➡ Reflect: Take stock of your current role, achievements, and goals. Consider what aspects of your work bring you the most satisfaction and which areas you'd like to improve or change. Conduct an honest review of your skills and time management. Be sure to also identify your desirable compensation, benefits, title, culture and responsibilities. ➡ Skills Development: Using your self-assessment, look for opportunities to develop both technical and soft skills that are in demand for the kind of role you wish to land. Consider both external and internal training opportunities.  ➡ Network: Attend industry events or set up informal chats with others in the field. Since the summer often brings a more relaxed atmosphere, it may be easier to connect outside of the office. ➡ Update your LinkedIn Profile and Resume: Add your latest accomplishments and skills to your resume and LinkedIn profile to be sure you are showcasing the best you have to offer. These ready-to-go items will make a significant difference in your ability to act fast when opportunities arise. ➡ Plan: Establish some concrete career objectives for both the short- and long-term. Having clear career goals will help you focus your efforts, measure progress, and be ready to act. Making the most of the slower summer months will make it easier for you to focus on finding the opportunities that best meet your goals. You will thank yourself for being so proactive when the busy fall months arrive. I would love to hear what other people think are useful steps for advancing a career over time.  #careers #lawfirms #businessoflaw

What does career mean is often discussed in career appointments. I've found this a useful definition: "A career is the variety of experiences that you have undertaken throughout your life. As you gain more experience in the worlds of work and life, you are building your career. Your career path takes account of your education, training and paid or unpaid work. It also includes your family and life roles, activities, volunteer work, community involvement and more." https://lnkd.in/e-ef3Qq3. I also find this a useful example https://lnkd.in/eChkVxtx But I felt I needed to make it more tangible and support their understanding of careers - what it encompasses and what it means for then and needed to scaffold the conversation to help them development their understanding at their own pace. So I developed these cards to use cars and journey to bring careers to life. The response has been brilliant from "it all makes sense" to "I now understand what I need to think about and it's not just jobs". And for some students, it has changed their whole engagement with the appointment. The cards have also help to identify what would be most helpful to the student in the session for moving their career thinking foward - almost signing posting my next steps or the resources and tools I use to support them. And they've been really powerful where the students has identified themselves where they need to focus on to move their own career thinking forward. I wasn't expecting that! Thank you Liane Hambly (she/her) for giving me the nudge to share this story on the CDI's #careersimpact Friday and to Katherine Jennick & Lis McGuire RCDP for your support and belief in all my ideas. #careersimpact Friday

My Corporate Journey In the bustling Metropolis, dreams soared as skyscrapers kissed the clouds. I, a young woman with a business degree, craved corporate success. Starting as an intern, I immersed myself in learning, fueled by ambition. Despite setbacks, I persevered, working late, absorbing knowledge voraciously. Years passed, and my dedication bore fruit—I became known for my expertise and problem-solving skills. When a senior role opened, I seized the opportunity, presenting my case with confidence. Victory was mine, marking the culmination of my journey. Standing tall among peers, I realized my struggles had sculpted me. With resilience and belief, I knew I was ready for whatever lay ahead. My corporate journey, filled with both triumphs and challenges, mirrors the core values of this ad by Apna I just saw. Brilliant face used for the ad as well who himself embodies the emotion of hustle in all its true spirit. It's not merely about the obstacles we encounter, but rather, how we skillfully maneuver through them. This isn't merely about struggle; it's about the relentless pursuit of success which only those can understand or truly relate to who have put in their all to be where they are today. Hats off to apna for articulating this sentiment with such grace. I have personally used apna for hiring as well and its a great platform, candidate quality was decent but the job posting flow and experience was really smooth, great going Nirmit Parikh I would love all of you to also share your stories below! Please comment below. #ApnaHustleChalRahaHai

In the quaint town of Oakville, there lived a determined young professional named Alex. With a fresh degree in Human Resources, Alex was eager to launch a career and make a difference. Alex’s journey began optimistically with an internship at a local company. There, Alex learned the ins and outs of recruitment and employee management, earning praise from supervisors. However, due to budget cuts, the company couldn’t offer a permanent position. Months turned into a blur of job applications and rejections. Despite attending networking events and seeking advice from career coaches, Alex found it hard to break through. Doubts crept in, but Alex remembered a mentor’s advice: “Resilience is key.” Inspired, Alex started a blog to share job-seeking experiences and tips. The blog resonated with many, eventually catching the eye of a startup in need of fresh HR talent. Impressed by Alex’s insights and determination, they offered a role as an HR Coordinator. Through perseverance and adaptability, Alex turned setbacks into opportunities, proving that every rejection is a step closer to success. #JobSeeker #HR #CareerJourney #Resilience

🌟 From Intern to Industry Insider: My Corporate Climb 🌆💼 #MyJourney In the heart of the metropolis, where dreams scale the heights of towering skyscrapers, my corporate saga began. Armed with nothing but a business degree and sheer determination, I entered the corporate world as an intern, eager to carve my path. 🕒 Years of perseverance, late nights, and a hunger for knowledge paved my way. Each setback sculpted my resolve, and every triumph added a layer to my expertise. 🚀 When the chance for a senior role emerged, I stepped up, presented my vision, and claimed my victory. Standing amidst my peers, it was clear: my resilience had crafted not just a career, but a legacy. This narrative echoes so vibrantly in an ad by Apna that I recently encountered. The ad captures the essence of hustle with such authenticity—it's not just about the hurdles; it's about mastering the art of navigating through them. 🌐 I've also experienced Apna first-hand for recruitment. While the quality of candidates was decent, the user-friendly job posting process truly stood out. Kudos to Nirmit Parikh for steering such a smooth course! 📣 I’d love to hear YOUR stories. How do you navigate your professional challenges? Drop your experiences below! 🏅 #ApnaHustleChalRahaHai #CorporateJourney #SuccessStory #CareerGrowth #FromInternToInsider

We help GenZ get hired! 🥳 How do we help you get the job: 🎓DIVERSE gives you access to TOP INCLUSIVE UK employers like BT, Warner Bros, Capital One, UNiDAYS and more 🎓If you need guidance, you can meet with our experienced career mentors! 🎓Meet companies through Meet The Employer events and get graduate placement and internship opportunities. 🎓Be competitive in the job market and upskill through our online events. What’s not to love? Click the link in bio and join today for FREE 💸 ____ Who are we? 👀 DIVERSE. is a free careers community helping Black and Ethnic Minority students, grads and young professionals get their first jobs in the corporate world. Basically, we help diverse Gen Z talent get hired! ✊🏾 #recruitingplatform #unemployed #hiring #jobsite #recruitment #howtofindajob #ukjobs #ukjobpostings #jobopportunity #jobopportunities #jobsearch #careerjourney #onlinejobs #joblistings #jobvacancy #jobs #jobhunting #careergrowth #careeradvice #graduates #graduatejobs #graduaterecruitment #inclusivity #diveristy #equalityintheworkplace #equality #wearediverse #recruitment #careeropportunity #unemployed #genzmemes #genzhumor #genzhumour

I've been noticing on an issue that many professionals might encounter, and I wanted to share some thoughts in hopes that it might resonate with others. Imagine working hard during an internship, putting in countless hours, and contributing meaningfully to your projects. You’re hopeful about turning this opportunity into a full-time role. But then, despite promising signs, you're suddenly told your background isn't suitable, and the offer goes to someone else. It’s not just disappointing; it feels like a betrayal of the hard work and dedication you showed. What’s more disheartening is when subsequent applications and assessments are swiftly dismissed, leaving you to wonder if past conflicts or standing up for yourself during the internship are now being held against you. This isn’t just speculation—it's a concern that can weigh heavily on anyone trying to build their career. It's crucial for companies to recognize the impact such practices have on candidates. Leading someone to believe they have a strong chance at a role, only to retract it without clear justification, can be demoralizing and damaging. Even more concerning is when personal biases or past conflicts influence hiring decisions. Managers should strive to be objective and fair, ensuring that personal feelings do not cloud their judgment or impact a candidate’s future opportunities. Companies should foster an environment of transparency and fairness, where hard work and merit are truly rewarded. Managers should encourage and support their team members, not let personal biases influence hiring decisions. Every candidate deserves a fair chance based on their skills and contributions, not on past misunderstandings or conflicts. For anyone navigating similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Stay strong, keep pushing forward, and focus on finding organizations that value your worth and integrity. Each experience, whether positive or negative, is a step towards finding the right fit where your contributions are genuinely appreciated. #CareerJourney #ProfessionalGrowth #JobSearch #Resilience #FairHiring #WorkplaceEthics

What everyone knows but leaves unsaid is that the only credential that truly matters when it comes to demonstrating employability is Real. Professional. Experience. 🤔 It’s why the majority of your resume and Linkedin profile are dedicated to it. 📜 It’s why even entry-level roles today ask for at least 3 years of experience. 3️⃣ But work experience just isn’t that easy to access. We want to fix that. 🔧 In addition to sharing HOW Extern is revolutionizing access to professional experience for everyone, I want to share WHY... with the 2nd part in a series on how we’re pioneering a new era of inclusive professional experience.  In it, I break down our mission and vision. ❤️A Personal Mission At Extern, we're driven by the belief that everyone, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to explore careers through real professional experiences - anywhere and at any time. 🚀 Why Extern? Why Now? We imagine a world where work experience is a universal form of education, eliminating barriers related to privilege and inequality. That’s why we've embarked on a mission that is personal to me: making real professional experience accessible to all, regardless of background. Here is "How to Help Anyone Discover and Launch their Career through Professional Experience" which is Part 2 of my series on "The Case for Inventing a New Form of Work Experience: the Externship" https://lnkd.in/ge2Enteu #CareerRevolution #InclusiveGrowth #ExternExperience #FutureOfWork #JoinTheMovement

From mastering new software to navigating through every challenge (yep, that's a thing), every day is a chance to soak up knowledge like a sponge. And let's not forget the invaluable lessons you pick up from your colleagues. Those seasoned pros? They're basically walking, talking textbooks. But here's the kicker: it's not just about the technical stuff. Externships teach you about yourself, too. You figure out what you're good at, what you love doing, and heck, maybe even what you can't stand. So yeah, externships? They're like a golden ticket to a whole world of learning. Embrace the chaos, soak up the knowledge, and get ready to come out the other side a certified boss. 🚀 #externLife start your own journey now https://lnkd.in/d8aJHCQs