“Adult learners are among my favorite people: I love working
with individuals who are figuring out their career paths – especially when they
are ready to add a new degree to their resumes or transition from one career to
another – and I am always eager to develop resources that support adults in
taking steps toward success. “ –Sharon Thompsonowak, Director of Career
Development Services

Our Director of Career Development Services, Sharon
Thompsonowak, recently joined the Peirce team in November 2016 after spending many years working in education, fundraising, nonprofit management,
economic development and workforce development. We spoke with Sharon a bit
about her inspiration and her advice for utilizing CDS to further your future
career.
What inspired you to want to be involved in career services?
Research shows that college degree holders still earn more
money over their lifetimes than people with only a high school diploma. This
coupled with the fact that many hiring managers list soft skills (like
communication, time management, emotional intelligence, and conflict
resolution) as the qualifications they value most in their candidates, made me
want to get involved with career services.
In CDS, we create programs and resources that help Peirce students and
alumni not only build these essential skills but also learn how to leverage them
along with their college credentials. Your career should provide a return on
your educational investment, and CDS provides support in making sure that you
have the tools you need to maximize this return.
Do you have any advice for people who are
ready to move their careers to the next level?
Whether you are looking for a new job or a promotion, get started now. It’s never too
early to update your resume, inventory your workplace accomplishments, or get
the word out that you are ready for your next opportunity. CDS can help you practice telling your
professional story so that you feel confident in presenting your skills and
accomplishments as the best fit for a potential employer. And if you’re ready
for a change but you’re not sure exactly what’s next, CDS has many resources
that will help you identify options.
Additionally, spring is a great time to look for a new job!
Many hiring managers post job openings starting in January, and the applicant
pools generally become less competitive starting in February. Upcoming CDS
workshops will help you take advantage of these opportunities: we’re offering
webinars about online interviewing and the federal job application process, as
well as sessions on emotional intelligence and the etiquette of business
lunches. Our 7th annual Women in Leadership panel event on March 15
is open to all students and alumni, and provides a great opportunity to network
with executives and other women from across the region.
Thank you, Sharon! The first CDS workshop is tomorrow,
January 25th, from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Join the CDS Team for Part 1 of a
two-part series called, Emotional Intelligence, where you can learn how to recognize
feelings, motivate yourself, and manage emotions in yourself and your
relationships to make all the difference in your professional life. To learn
more and to RSVP, go to peirceCDS.eventbrite.com.