People are usually willing to help other people in need, but they often overlook their own needs. When it comes time to look for a job, work to make it your most important research project ever. It is time to focus on and look out for yourself.
It is estimated that only a very small percentage of job openings are posted. That means that the majority can be found in "hidden networks." So how does one find job openings in this network? At GW, students are quite fortunate to have access to numerous resources available through its wonderful library system. In fact, GSPM has an assigned librarian, Dr. David Ettinger, who just might be the most helpful person on campus. He has written several guides that outline many useful research tools that may be utilized for career research.
Make sure to check out some of the following resources as well:
Leadership Connect - A directory that includes email addresses for key professionals working on Capitol Hill, trade associations, companies, government, etc.
Encyclopedia of Associations - A directory that includes information about the thousands of trade and professional associations located throughout the country.
Hoover's - Includes information about corporations.
Databases- There are scores of databases GSPM students can tap into such as Nexus U.N.I. to learn more about political organizations, companies, government, legislatures, etc.
LinkedIn - Check it out for a lot of information on various organizations you may be interested in exploring.
GSPM students are strongly encouraged to utilize these available resources and to work with the librarian, career director, and professors to develop target lists of employers they may be interested in working for and then to do extensive research to try to identify ways to connect with people at those target organizations. Throughout one's career, one can build upon this research project to be able to think about ways to grow in one's career and to be able to make adjustments when necessary.
All of us at GSPM want our students and alumni to succeed. We in turn ask our students and alumni to take part in ensuring positive outcomes for themselves. The job hunt research project does take time, but it can be a lot of fun as well. It is like putting pieces of a puzzle together -- the puzzle pieces that will help determine your future!
Margaret “Mag” Gottlieb is the Career Director at the Graduate School of Political Management at the George Washington University. Connect with Mag on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-gottlieb-1457753/ or contact via email: mag@gwu.edu
