Thinking of a career pivot? Here’s how Career Services can help

Navigating a career transition can be challenging, but it can become a transformative journey with the proper support. At the University of Rochester’s Warner School of Education and Human Development, Career Services play a crucial role in helping individuals pivot to new career paths. Whether shifting from the technology industry to mental health counseling or moving from the disability field to teaching, these services offer the guidance and resources needed for a smooth transition.

At the Warner School, a dedicated career advisor supports students and alums through their academic and professional journeys. Whether you are just starting your graduate program or actively seeking employment, the career support provided is comprehensive and personalized. Warner’s Career Services offers a range of resources, including career materials, personal consultations, small group strategy sessions, and connections with industry experts. Additional services include referrals for networking, job postings and access to career-relevant databases.

Career Services is committed to ensuring the professional success of both students and alumni, offering ongoing support even after graduation through platforms like Handshake. 

Merging tech and counseling

Ryan Hallman, originally from Australia, is enrolled in the master's program in mental health counseling at Warner School. With an undergraduate degree in software engineering and a master's in commerce, Hallman transitioned from a 20-year career in the tech industry, having worked with companies like Google and Salesforce in New York City. Seeking a more fulfilling career, Hallman shifted his focus to mental health counseling.

Hallman knew that counseling would be a career where he could work directly with people and make a meaningful impact. “The field practicum experience at Warner caught my attention,” Hallman says. “Being placed in real-life scenarios to start working practically, instead of just theoretically, was heavily emphasized and seemed like a strong point of the program that appealed to me.” 

Upon arriving at the Warner School, Hallman utilized Career Services for guidance on his new path. His advisor, Oliver Boxell, introduced him to Harriette Royer, assistant director of Career Services. Royer provided invaluable support, including networking opportunities and connections with local professionals. These connections helped blend his tech background with his new focus on mental health. These connections led to collaborations with local tech entrepreneurship incubator NextCorps, where he participates in their start-up founder roundtable while coding apps for the mental health space.

For those considering a career pivot, Hallman found that following his passion and proactively seeking information and role models worked for him. Career Services at Warner was key in reaffirming his decision to switch careers.

“As I learned in my career counseling course here at Warner, if you don’t love what you’re doing most of the time, you might be in the wrong place,” he says. “If you can follow your passions and believe that there is something better out there, be proactive, seek out information and role models, you might end up in a much better place than you are now.”

As a mental health counselor in training, Hallman is excited about his future career. In addition to meeting one-on-one with his clients and holding group psychotherapy sessions, he hopes to use his software background to code apps in the mental health space for individuals and organizations, making mental health support more accessible and effective through software and AI.

From the disability field to teaching science

Alanna Dolen ‘'16W (MS), a graduate of the Warner School’s master’s program in science education, found her calling as a teacher after working in the field of developmental disabilities, which eventually led to burnout. 

“I always felt a strong connection to geography but struggled to find a practical career path,” says Dolen. “Initially aspired to become an interpretive ranger, I found that the instability of the job market in that area, coupled with frequent layoffs, made it an impractical choice. I discovered that teaching Earth Science aligned with my interests and offered a more stable and fulfilling career, allowing me to stay in New York State.” 

After graduating from Warner, she taught in a formal K-12 classroom setting for some time before pivoting her career. This time, she was determined to do what she loves—teaching science—but in a different type of setting.

When Dolen began searching for new job opportunities, she faced difficulties with job advice guidance from a local employment consulting firm. “Their advice didn’t seem to be working,” she says. “I applied to many jobs but wasn’t getting any calls.” 

As a Warner alum, she turned to Warner’s Career Services for support, which proved transformative. With guidance from Warner’s career advisor, who provided helpful advice and assisted with editing her resume and cover letter, Dolen secured interviews and ultimately landed her ideal job. In her new position, she designs and teaches educational and science-related programs for children and adults in outdoor settings that highlight ecology and climate change.

Dolen’s experience highlights the importance of utilizing Career Services for career transitions. The support she received helped her secure a position that aligned with her passion for science and allowed her to pursue a non-traditional educational setting. 

Successful career transitions

Both Hallman and Dolen’s stories underscore the impact of Warner School’s Career Services in facilitating successful career transitions. Their experiences demonstrate the value of these resources in finding fulfilling paths that align with personal passions and goals. 

Reach out to Harriette Royer in Career Services for tailored assistance and take full advantage of the opportunities available to enhance your career trajectory.