People and Culture Shared Interest Group

  • 1.  How do you use your connection to the IMA to help college students with career opportunities?

    Posted 13 days ago

    I recently read a Forbes article, The Hidden Career Development Challenge Facing Young Professionals, that resonated with many conversations I've had with students and recent graduates about the job market.  The article highlights that while relationship-building is  still critical for career success, many young professionals have had fewer opportunities to develop the confidence and skills needed to build those connections.

    While I do not necessarily agree that students and recent graduates do not have fewer opportunities since there are a good amount of professional organizations they can join, I do think many are unsure how to navigate these opportunities effectively or understand their long-term value. Another topic that comes up in these discussions is "career opportunity fatigue".  Students and recent grads know they should network, attend events, seek mentors, build their LinkedIn profiles, pursue internships, and explore professional development opportunities; however, many feel overwhelmed by these expectations and uncertain about how it will benefit their careers in the long run.

    When I think of these conversations, I believe professional organizations like the IMA have such an important role to play. These organizations can provide structured pathways for students to engage with professionals, explore careers, develop leadership skills, and build meaningful relationships in ways that feel accessible rather than overwhelming.

    I'd love to hear from your thoughts on the following questions:

    • How are you using your involvement with the IMA to support college students and recent graduates?
    • What strategies have been successful in helping students/recent grads/young professionals move beyond "networking anxiety" and become engaged members of the profession?
    • How can professional organizations be more intentional about helping students navigate career opportunities or professional organizations to find "their people"?
    • What role or responsibility do colleges and universities have to encourage students to join and actively participate in professional associations? How can they partner with more professional organizations to improve student engagement and value of joining these orgs? 

    Perhaps one of the most valuable things we can offer students today is not just access to opportunities, but guidance on how to navigate them, prioritize them, and build authentic professional relationships along the way.

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts!



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    Kisha Chandler

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  • 2.  RE: How do you use your connection to the IMA to help college students with career opportunities?

    Posted 8 days ago

    Thanks Kisha, this is a very thoughtful post and I am glad that students and young professionals have an ambassador like you.

    I think all of us have really learned how to do it by just being thrown in the swimming pool and learning to swim on the fly. But I agree, there has to be a better way.

    • How are you using your involvement with the IMA to support college students and recent graduates?

    I usually leverage my LinkedIn to answer any queries and give confidence. Lots of students/graduates reach out to me directly from not just IMA but other certifying organizations as well that I have been a part of. 

    • What strategies have been successful in helping students/recent grads/young professionals move beyond "networking anxiety" and become engaged members of the profession?

    One of my friends works in the Big Four and their department sets up monthly challenges for the teams to connect with people from the industry and find more information on a specific topic e.g. how are they using AI in their company as of now. There is usually an award at the end in the form of free tickets/cash bonus etc. I think that helps these young professionals get out of their comfort zone to connect with outside professionals. 



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    Izz Ghanaa Ansari
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  • 3.  RE: How do you use your connection to the IMA to help college students with career opportunities?

    Posted 7 days ago

    Thanks, Izz for your response. While I agree that there are a good group of students and young professionals that utilize LinkedIn well, there are others that struggle with connecting. 

    I love those challenges! When students attend workshops, seminars, or events I introduce them to up to 2 people and then I challenge them to meet at a minimum of two other people. At the end of the event we connect and I give them homework - that is to keep in touch with those two people. 



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    Kisha Chandler
    Other
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: How do you use your connection to the IMA to help college students with career opportunities?

    Posted 7 days ago

    Hi Kisha
    I am a student and from my perspective I feel like what you said above is absolutely true. The idea of Internships, Jobs, Volunteering and other corporate discussions makes a lot of students overwhelmed. Some encounter this feeling by actively participating in Seminars, Networking, seeking advices from their seniors and mentors but some are stuck in the loop of trying to figure things out. 

    For me, IMA is an organization (apart from education) which provide multiple opportunities to students as well as professionals to meet and network with people across the globe which someday helps them out in any situation. It provides a platform to understand different cultures, norms, environments which give you a vision of how amazing and different can life be. Also one more thing is the skill upgrading sessions. This the best benefit a student gets is what I think.

    And, I believe, colleges and universities should encourage students to reap out the best benefits that IMA offers which no other organization can. They should help students or grads to navigate the different processes that leads to greater heights because in this rapid environment, it is a huge disadvantage to start late.

    I will always be looking forward to what IMA brings out new because it is never disappointing!



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    Tusti Agarwal
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  • 5.  RE: How do you use your connection to the IMA to help college students with career opportunities?

    Posted 6 days ago

    Tusti, 

    Thank you for sharing your perspective! It's fantastic that you've realized the power of a professional network like IMA in your academic journey. I hope you keep sharing your experience with other students; peer-to-peer encouragement often carries much more weight than hearing the same advice from professors, administrators, staff and/or parents. While stepping into these spaces can feel overwhelming at first, the more you show up and engage, the easier it gets. Keep pushing forward! πŸ’«



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    Kisha Chandler
    Other
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    Original Message


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