What we're thinking about...

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Hi Reader,

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August always reminds me of getting ready for my next semester of school. Is there anything more exciting than the school supplies section at Target? 🎯 OK, maybe not. But it can also get overwhelming if you're a recent grad and not going back to school. 😮

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So how do you transition from the structure of academia and begin to think about building your career? 💫 Here are some practical tips and steps to simplify your process.

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1. Reflect on your interests 🤩

• Just start. Give yourself 15 min ⏱️ and write down activities, ideas, or problems that energize you. Don't overthink. Just write.
• Analyze your course preferences. Which classes did you enjoy most and why?
• Consider your hobbies. How do your personal interests translate to professional roles?
• Take assessments. Tools like the Myers-Briggs, Gallup StrengthsFinder, or the Enneagram are great for gaining helpful insights (remember to come back and check out these links!). ⬅️

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2. Embrace curiosity and exploration 🧐

• Attend career fairs. Expose yourself to a variety of industries and roles. Attend career fairs and conferences (and have your resume on hand!).
• Informational interviews. Reach out to people with interesting roles on LinkedIn. When you reach out, share what about their role or contribution interests you and schedule a 15-minute video chat.
• Try internships or job shadowing. Get first-hand experience in different work environments.
• Get out there. Join clubs or organizations to engage in areas of interest. It's so much easier to connect when you have shared interests!

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3. Research jobs in your interest areas 📚

• Use online resources. Explore websites like O*NET OnLine or the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Follow industry news. Stay updated on trends and emerging roles in your fields of interest. Where is the opportunity? Look at the trends.
• Investigate job descriptions. Look at actual job postings to understand the required skills and qualifications.

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4. Identify cross-sectional interests 💡

• Create a Venn diagram. Develop your Ikigai! This traditional Japanese methodology helps you find where your purpose and skills intersect.
• Research interdisciplinary fields. Look into areas that combine multiple disciplines.
• Explore unconventional career paths. Look for unique roles that blend different skill sets (and register for this month's Cura Chat to learn more from Claudia, who did just that! 🙌🏼)

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5. Keep upskilling! 🛠

• Focus on transferable skills. Develop abilities like communication, problem-solving, and leadership.
• Learn basic coding. Coding skills can be valuable in many fields, even if you're not in tech.
• Practice public speaking. Join a club like Toastmasters to improve your presentation skills.
• Cultivate emotional intelligence. Work on self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

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6. Look for mentors.🤝

• Utilize career services. Take advantage of your college's career center for advice and resources.
• Find alumni mentors. Reach out to graduates working in fields you're considering. Alumni groups are a great resource!
• Join professional associations. Many offer student memberships and mentorship programs. Try CareerSpring.org!

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Don't miss this month's Cura Chat with Claudia Villalta-Mejia. Claudia has a cool story: she created her own career path through the intersection of her two passions, sustainability and film: 🌲 + 🎬 = 🤩.

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​Register here and see you on the 28th!

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Have a great week,

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New! CURA CHAT

How to Trust Your Gut When Building Your Career

Join us as Claudia Villalta-Mejia discusses the importance of following your instincts and heart when it comes to your career.

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Learn how she created her own career path through the intersection of her two passions, sustainability and film. Whether your passion lies in technology, human rights, the environment, or any other field, it is entirely possible to integrate your passions into a career you are excited about!

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​Register today!​

August 28, 2024

12:00pm PDT / 3:00pm EDT

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Register Here

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THE WELLNESS CORNER

Wellness: the quality or state of being in good financial and mental health, especially as an actively sought goal.

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MAKE MONEY MAKE SENSE

This month we are grateful for Estrella Serrato @cafecitoconestrellita for her transparent and direct conversation on money for First Generation students.

We love this blog post she wrote on tips for first generation college grads! More of this, please. 🙋🏻‍♀️ 💫

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MENTAL HEALTH

📌 First-Generation College Students: Your Mental Health Matters article by Breanna Georges talks about the intersectionality of her mental health journey throughout school. I love the reminder that "you deserve to get help and take up space."

📌 Are you feeling overwhelmed by the whole work/life process? Yeah, it’s a lot. Our friends at Crisis Text Line offer 24/7, FREE, bilingual text support. Text CURA to 741741 to talk to a trained

volunteer.

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JOBS FOR YOU

📌 Digital NEST. Multiple positions open! Digital NEST creates sustainable and scalable technology learning centers for Latinx youth in order to foster economic equality.

📌 #Latina Geeks Job Board. Helping to increase the number of Latinas in technology-related careers. Check out their job board here.

📌 Nonprofit Job Board. Check out Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits Job Board.

📌 College Recruiter. Top 10 job boards for diverse students who want to work for non-profits, government.

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PARTNERS WE LOVE ​ Shout out ot IOS Scholarships and our good friend and founder, Maria Trouchimezuk for launching IOS Scholarships. 👏🏼 ​ Find undergraduate and graduate scholarships, plus internships! ​ Learn more

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About Cura Cura is a platform for ambitious first-generation and early-career talent to launch and grow their purpose-driven careers. We curate resources, build a network of socially-conscious leaders and mentors, and create programs and tools to help you grow. Visit cura.us and subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop on our latest speakers, events and resources. ​ Co-founders Jen Elena Romano & Sylvia Bonilla Zizumbo​ ​ Cura.us ​