New UW-Madison counseling service helps employees meet career goals

Say you’re an employee of the University of Wisconsin–Madison wondering how to manage your career. How do you come up with a master plan? What kinds of educational opportunities should you pursue? When will you know it’s time to change jobs?

Now, you can share these questions with a counselor dedicated to your career satisfaction.

To assist UW–Madison employees with their professional development, the Division of Continuing Studies has added a career counselor in its Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) office. While ACSSS career counselors have traditionally worked with all community members, Elizabeth Schrimpf will specialize in advising those employed at the university.

The free service can help employees clarify short- and long-term goals, identify learning opportunities, and explore job possibilities within UW–Madison or elsewhere.

“We are one of the few universities in the country offering this kind of opportunity for employees,” says Schrimpf, who has a master’s degree in community counseling and experience as an employment specialist with the WorkSmart Network. “In this role, I can provide university employees with the tools they need to manage their careers, develop their skills, and enjoy greater job satisfaction.”

The initiative is part of a new collaboration between ACSSS and Learning and Talent Development (LTD) in the Office of Human Resources, building upon recommendations from shared governance groups and the Engagement, Inclusion and Diversity Council. The goal is to retain talented employees and to help them find fulfillment while serving the university’s mission.

Along with the new counseling service, ACSSS and LTD will host a free conference called “Construct Your Career at UW” on Tuesday, March 6, at Union South, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. UW–Madison employees at every stage of the career cycle will learn how to assess their professional lives, build a career plan, and act on it. Participants can attend for the full day of workshops and talks or come and go based on their interests.

Schrimpf emphasizes that, like the conference, her counseling service is not just for employees seeking a new job. It’s also for those interested in long-range career management, even if they don’t intend to change jobs anytime soon.

“If you have a plan, you’ll be ready whenever opportunities pop up,” Schrimpf says. “You’ll be on track for developing the relevant skills for getting a promotion or a new job. Even if you’re content to stay in your current position for the long haul, a plan can help you identify ways to keep growing in the job.”

To set up a career counseling appointment with Elizabeth Schrimpf, call 608-263-6960. For more information, visit acsss.wisc.edu.