How to stay resilient and build your career in uncertain times

By Karla Rockhold, Senior Director II of Alumni Career Engagement, OSU Alumni Association    

The end of the year is a natural time for reflection. For your career, that reflection can feel especially important when the future seems uncertain, with workplaces shaped by economic shifts, organizational changes, new technologies and evolving expectations.

Career resilience isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about building the skills, relationships and mindset that help you adapt when circumstances change.

When the terrain beneath you feels unsteady, take these steps to build resilience and stay nimble in your career.

1. Focus on what you can control.

When uncertainty is high, distinguish between what you can influence and what you can’t. You may not be able to control your organization’s next restructuring or changes in your industry, but you can control how prepared you are to respond.

Keep your résumé and LinkedIn profile current. Document accomplishments and results while they are fresh in your mind. Stay informed about trends affecting your industry and periodically review job postings to see which skills employers are seeking.

This preparation should be done continuously, not only when you need a new job!

2. Keep learning.

Look for opportunities to strengthen skills that can travel with you from one role or industry to another. You don’t necessarily need another degree or expensive certification. A workshop, short course, microcredential or stretch assignment at work can help you develop skills that expand your options.

Communication, leadership, project management, problem-solving, data literacy and the ability to use emerging technologies can all expand your career options.

3. Build relationships before you need them.

Don’t wait until you’re searching for a job to reconnect with your network. Networking is most effective when it is an ongoing practice — not an emergency response to losing a job.

Reach out to an OSU classmate or fellow Beaver whose career path you admire. Reconnect with former colleagues, attend a professional event or schedule an informational interview. Ask others what they’re seeing in their industries, what advice they would offer someone exploring their field and which skills are becoming more valuable.

4. Give yourself options.

Consider what you would do if your current situation changed tomorrow. This isn’t about expecting the worst; it’s about giving yourself options.

Take inventory of the skills you have developed throughout your career, not just your job titles. What problems do you know how to solve? What do colleagues consistently rely on you to do? Which accomplishments are you proudest of?

Looking at your career through a lens of skills and experiences can reveal more possibilities.

As the year winds down, ask yourself one simple question: What’s one thing I can do before the end of the year to make my career more resilient?

Career resilience isn’t having a perfect plan for the future. It's knowing that when the plan changes, you can create a new one.

Want to hear how fellow Beavers have navigated career uncertainty or helped others come out stronger? Join us for Ask Alumni: How to Stay Resilient and Build Your Career in Uncertain Times on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. PT. OSU alumni will share real-world experiences and practical strategies for navigating setbacks, adapting to change, building confidence and identifying new opportunities.