PhD PhD Colloquium: Colloquium: Dual Track Dual Track

CouplesCouplesJune 28, 2012June 28, 2012UC BerkeleyUC Berkeley

Yvonne Lefort, MAYvonne Lefort, MA

Career Coach/Intercultural Career Coach/Intercultural TrainerTrainer

www.yvonnelefort.netwww.yvonnelefort.net

RELOCATING IS A MAJOR

LIFE TRANSITION

Top Stressful Life Top Stressful Life TransitionsTransitions

Death (spouse, family, friend)Death (spouse, family, friend)

Marriage/Separation/DivorceMarriage/Separation/Divorce

Getting pregnant/having a childGetting pregnant/having a child

Changing employers/jobs/careersChanging employers/jobs/careers

Spouse starting/ending workSpouse starting/ending work

Beginning/ending schoolBeginning/ending school

Change of residenceChange of residence

Change in financial situationChange in financial situation

Transitions CycleTransitions Cycle

EndingsEndings

Neutral ZoneNeutral Zone

New BeginningNew Beginning

EndingsEndings

Job/Professional Job/Professional IdentityIdentity

Self-confidenceSelf-confidenceBelonging to a Belonging to a

communitycommunitySupport systemSupport systemSocial/Social/

Professional Professional NetworkNetwork

Comfort levelComfort level IndependenceIndependenceStructure/routineStructure/routine

Challenges for ParentsChallenges for Parents

Lack of family supportLack of family support

Finding affordable babysitting or Finding affordable babysitting or daycaredaycare

Meeting other families with childrenMeeting other families with children

Different schools/educational systemDifferent schools/educational system

Stress of parentingStress of parenting

Dealing with effect of moving on Dealing with effect of moving on childrenchildren

Confusion/limboConfusion/limboLoss/griefLoss/griefAnxiety/DepressionAnxiety/DepressionRedefining sense Redefining sense

of selfof selfRealignment with Realignment with

personal valuespersonal valuesOpportunity for Opportunity for

growthgrowth

Neutral Neutral ZoneZone

““The Pit”The Pit”

Renewed EnergyRenewed EnergySense of claritySense of clarityNew New

OpportunitiesOpportunitiesTaking ActionTaking Action

NewNew

BeginningBeginning

Rebuilding Your Social Rebuilding Your Social LifeLife

Get a paid job or volunteer workGet a paid job or volunteer work

Join organizationsJoin organizations

Take classesTake classes

NetworkNetwork

Create your own groupCreate your own group

Resources: Resources: http://yvonnelefort.net/index.php/resources

Finding Volunteer Finding Volunteer WorkWork

Benefits: Benefits: fill gaps on resumefill gaps on resumemeet people and make contactsmeet people and make contactscontribute expertisecontribute expertisegain new skillsgain new skillsfind out about job openingsfind out about job openingsenhance self-esteemenhance self-esteem

Find volunteer jobs/organizations:Find volunteer jobs/organizations: www.helpnow.org, ,

www.volunteermatch.org

Finding A JobFinding A Job

Begin with self-assessmentBegin with self-assessment

Develop elevator pitch, update Develop elevator pitch, update resume, practice interviewingresume, practice interviewing

Develop a job search strategyDevelop a job search strategyNetworking/informational interviewsNetworking/informational interviewsDirect contact with employersDirect contact with employersAdvertisementsAdvertisementsRecruitersRecruiters

Job Search ResourcesJob Search Resources

Career CentersCareer CentersLibrariesLibrariesCareer CoachesCareer CoachesChambers of Chambers of

CommerceCommerceJob Job

clubs/support clubs/support groupsgroups

Professional Professional organizationsorganizations

Social Media:Social Media:

Linkedin, FacebookLinkedin, FacebookCompany websitesCompany websitesGeneral job search General job search

sitessitesArea-specific job Area-specific job

search sitessearch sitesBusiness journals, Business journals,

local newspapers, local newspapers, Book of ListsBook of Lists

Tips for Changing Tips for Changing CareersCareers

Assess interests, values, skillsAssess interests, values, skills

Explore career alternativesExplore career alternatives

Identify and fill in gapsIdentify and fill in gapsupgrade or develop new skills/knowledgeupgrade or develop new skills/knowledge

Investigate educational opportunitiesInvestigate educational opportunities

Volunteer, freelanceVolunteer, freelance

Resources: Career coaches, career-Resources: Career coaches, career-planning booksplanning books

Nurturing Your Nurturing Your RelationshipRelationship

Make time for your relationshipMake time for your relationship

Think like a teamThink like a team

Talk, talk, talkTalk, talk, talk

Listen, listen, listenListen, listen, listen

Develop a culture of appreciationDevelop a culture of appreciation

Remember to have fun!Remember to have fun!

Make A PlanMake A Plan

Create a vision for your life as Create a vision for your life as individuals and as a coupleindividuals and as a couple

Set personal/professional goals Set personal/professional goals short-range (6-12 months)short-range (6-12 months) medium-range (1-5 years)medium-range (1-5 years) long-range (5+ years)long-range (5+ years)

Final TipsFinal Tips

Take responsibility for creating the Take responsibility for creating the life you wantlife you want

Prioritize your valuesPrioritize your values

Be open to new possibilitiesBe open to new possibilities

Step outside your comfort zoneStep outside your comfort zone

Support and appreciate each otherSupport and appreciate each other