As the year winds down, December offers a natural pause point and a chance to reflect on your career wins, reassess your strengths and set intentional goals for the year ahead. Before the rush of January begins, take a moment to look back at what went well in 2025 and what you want to build toward in 2026. 

Start by identifying the accomplishments you are most proud of this year. Think about new skills you developed, challenges you navigated, or relationships you strengthened. Once you capture your wins, take stock of your strengths. A simple personal SWOT analysis can help you understand what you do well, where you can grow and what opportunities might be emerging in your field. 

From there, map out a straightforward career development plan for 2026. Consider the roles you would like to explore, the skills you want to sharpen and the experiences you would benefit from gaining. Breaking your plan into quarterly milestones can make it feel more manageable and keep you accountable throughout the year. 

If you are preparing for a job search in the new year or simply want to stay ahead of a shifting job market, this webinar is a great place to start: . It walks through the critical steps and provides a clear framework to help you approach your search with confidence and strategy. 

All alumni who graduated beyond two years, are eligible to meet with York’s Alumni Career Coach for up to two hours of confidential individual career coaching services. Alumni can select the type of 1:1 career coaching appointment based on their needs. Click here to learn more.

The post Coach’s Corner: Reflect, Refocus and Reset for 2026  appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.

Before the holiday season kicks in, November is a great time to grow your connections with purpose. Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building genuine relationships that can help you learn, collaborate and open new doors. 

Start by setting up a few informational interviews with professionals in roles or industries that interest you. Come prepared with thoughtful questions about their career paths and experiences. Try creating a simple three-point agenda before each networking conversation. Jot down what you want to learn, what you can share and one follow-up action. It’s a quick way to stay focused and make every interaction more intentional.  

On LinkedIn or focus on engaging in real conversations. This means commenting on posts, sharing ideas and thanking people who offer helpful advice. And don’t forget the follow-up. A short thank-you message or an update on how you applied someone’s advice can help turn a single conversation into a lasting connection. 

If you’d like to strengthen your networking skills, watch for practical tips and inspiration. 

All alumni who graduated beyond two years, are eligible to meet with York’s Alumni Career Coach for up to two hours of confidential individual career coaching services. Alumni can select the type of 1:1 career coaching appointment based on their needs: Alumni Career Coaching Services - Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends  
 

Current students or recent graduates within the last two years are eligible for services and 1:1 appointments with the Career Centre: .

The post Coach’s Corner – Networking with Purpose  appeared first on Division of Advancement - Alumni and Friends.