Who: Zoe
Challenge: Zoe graduated from U of I with a Major in Sustainability Studies. She was struggling to figure out what type of career path to pursue since her graduation in May 2023. Her goal was to find a job working for an organization in some part of sustainability. This might include environmental management, analyzing environmental systems, and research methods, preparing for careers that help organizations and businesses build more environmentally friendly practices.
Next Steps: Jim worked with Zoe in early June to help her discover where she wanted to go and prepare for any future opportunities. We coached Zoe on the following:
- Articulate Zoe’s strengths and the stories she could use to determine which career path she wanted to pursue within Sustainability.
- We set up a number of networking/informational interviews to determine the possible potential positions.
- We reviewed LinkedIn best practices when applying for a job and discussed reaching out to alumni to network into a job.
- We role-played and focused on how to answer behavioral-based interviewing questions based on job description to help build her confidence.
- After Zoe answered the potential interview questions, we reviewed each one in detail.
- Helped Zoe prepare an Interview template she could utilize on all interviews moving forward.
- Debriefed after each interview to determine what went well and tough questions, she wanted to review to improve for future interviews
Outcome: Zoe landed a job with an energy company in late July. And best part: She doesn’t have to move!
