On October 9th, 2024, a career development workshop titled "Career Development Coaching for College Graduates" was hosted at Columbia University, moderated by Professor Qin Gao and led by Dr. Michael Mingming Zhu. The event was tailored to address the unique challenges faced by international students transitioning from academia to the workforce. Dr. Zhu, a senior business management consultant with over 15 years of experience, shared valuable insights on career exploration, overcoming employment challenges, and effective career planning. Participants engaged in discussions about identifying strengths, navigating job market hurdles, building resumes, and preparing for interviews to boost their confidence in navigating their professional journeys.
As a second-year Master’s student in leadership, management, and entrepreneur (LME) for social justice at CSSW and an international student navigating the maze of fall recruitment, I often found myself overwhelmed and uncertain. Questions swirled in my mind: Am I applying for the right positions? How do I even begin to chart a path toward my future career? I quickly realized I wasn’t alone—many of my fellow international students shared the same sense of uncertainty, wading through endless applications and vague job descriptions, feeling isolated in a large university setting.
Our initial attempts to seek advice, including turning to platforms like Xiaohongshu (小红书), left us frustrated with promotions from agencies rather than genuine guidance. Even visits to the career center often resulted in tutorials on using job search websites, rather than the personalized support we needed. Internships, while valuable, sometimes felt unfulfilling, leaving us with little to leverage in interviews. The journey toward securing meaningful employment, as international students, felt like an uphill battle with limited resources.
This is why I was eager to help Dr. Michael Mingming Zhu (老虎老师) organize a career development workshop tailored for international students like us. I wanted to create a space that addressed our specific challenges—from identifying the right job opportunities that fit our strengths, to demystifying the recruitment process, and finding ways to maximize internships that might initially seem unfulfilling.
We tried seeking advice on platforms like Xiaohongshu (小红书), only to be bombarded with promotions from agencies rather than genuine guidance. Visits to the campus career center left us with tutorials on how to use job search websites but lacked the personalized support we desperately needed. Internships, while valuable, sometimes felt superficial, leaving us with little to discuss in interviews. The resources tailored for international students seemed scarce, and the journey toward employment felt like an uphill battle.
This is why I was eager to help Dr. Michael Mingming Zhu (老虎老师) organize a career development workshop tailored for international students like us. I wanted to create a space that addressed our specific challenges—from identifying the right job opportunities that fit our strengths, to demystifying the recruitment process, and finding ways to maximize internships that might initially seem unfulfilling. The goal was simple: to provide targeted advice that speaks to the challenges we uniquely face, from figuring out what jobs suit our strengths, to navigating the often-confusing recruitment process, to finding ways to make the most out of internships.
On October 9, 2024, we hosted an engaging and insightful workshop titled, "Career Development Coaching for College Graduates" at Columbia University, led by Dr. Zhu. The session brought together college graduates and young professionals looking to navigate the often-complex transition from academia to the workforce.
Workshop Highlights
1. Career Exploration
The workshop kicked off with a deep dive into self-awareness, guiding participants through exercises that helped them identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This process of reflection is crucial for aligning personal traits with career interests and setting meaningful goals.
2. Navigating Employment Challenges
Many international students face hurdles in the job market. In this session, we discussed how to overcome these challenges by gaining clarity on industry opportunities, finding certifications to enhance employability, and building a strong professional network. These strategies help to combat the uncertainty and confusion that often accompanies the job search process.
3. Effective Career Planning
Participants were given practical advice on career planning and decision-making. We covered essential steps like:
- Structuring an effective resume.
- Preparing for interviews and answering common questions.
- Following up with potential employers in a professional manner.
4. Change Management & Consulting
Dr. Zhu provided valuable insights into change management, explaining how individuals and organizations adapt to transformations. Consultant's role in managing strategic business shifts was a key takeaway, emphasizing the importance of staying flexible and open to new ideas during times of change.
To emphasize this, we introduced the Satir Change Model (see image below), which outlines the emotional stages individuals experience during periods of transition—from the Late Status Quo, through Chaos, to a New Status Quo. This model serves as a reminder that chaos is temporary and often leads to growth and stability.
5. AI in Human Resource Management
One of the workshop's standout segments focused on the role of AI in Human Resource Management (HRM). We explored how AI can transform HR functions like recruiting, onboarding, and performance management, while also discussing the risks associated with it, such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. This sparked a lively discussion about the future of work and technology’s growing influence. Here is a mock interview tool called Mercor, we could practice online free.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees expressed relief at finally feeling understood and supported. The strategies and advice Dr. Zhu provided were not only practical but directly applicable to their career development journeys. The workshop also fostered meaningful discussions and left students feeling more confident about navigating their future careers. Hearing their stories and seeing their renewed confidence reinforced the importance of what we set out to achieve.
This workshop was not just another career event—it was designed to address the gaps that traditional resources leave behind. It was for all of us who have ever felt lost, unsupported, or unsure of how to take the next step in our professional journey. By holding this event, I wanted to share the tools and strategies that helped me, and I hope it provided a sense of direction to those of us who are still finding our way in the job market.