UW-Madison alumni invited for Big Ten career-change networking in New York

The Wisconsin Alumni Association and its Big Ten partners are offering an edge to alumni who are job hunting or considering a career move in the lackluster economy.

University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni can join fellow Big Ten grads for a career-transition networking event in New York City on Tuesday, May 19, featuring advice from nationally recognized career adviser Brian Kurth, a 1988 UW–Madison graduate and WAA member.

“No matter if you’re a Badger, a Spartan, a Gopher or another Big Ten grad, we’re all in this volatile economy together,” says Paula Bonner, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. “For this special event, we’re leaving the rivalries on the field and creating a chance to network and build career momentum.”

The no-cost Big Ten alumni career-transition networking event will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. May 19 at The Met Bar, located inside the Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel, 569 Lexington Ave., in New York City. Alumni must register here by Friday, May 15.

UW-Madison graduates outside the New York area can hear Kurth’s advice on looking for a new job, a totally new career or starting a business during a free career transition teleclass at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. Visit this site to register.

According to Kurth, a career consultant and founder of VocationVacations, key components of a successful career transition include pursuing passions and interests, developing an action plan, addressing fears and creating a professional brand.

“A career transition doesn’t happen overnight, but that doesn’t mean it takes months or years either,” Kurth says. “Looking for a job is a full-time job. It’s a set of transitions. Mentorship is the crux. If you’re gainfully employed, start planning for the recovery. Get ahead of the competition.”

For both events, Kurth will present actionable tips and practical strategies for managing a career transition. He is the author of “Test-Drive Your Dream Job — A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love.” His advice has been featured on CNBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, National Public Radio (NPR), Fortune Magazine, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and other national media.

Kurth noted that job seekers with a UW–Madison degree in today’s market can benefit from instant connections to employers and colleagues who have their own links to the Big Ten.

“We recommend that people constantly reach out to their alumni associations,” Kurth says. “Regardless of where you went to college, it’s how you’re utilizing that degree and that experience.”

Badger graduates can also take advantage of other Wisconsin Alumni Association resources to explore new career paths. WAA’s collection of Employment Essentials for Today’s Economy offers services, tools and resources to help Badgers anywhere make career connections during these tough economic times.