Union provides comprehensive career coaching to all current students and alumni. Services include individual career counseling, resume review, and a variety of workshops to prepare you to transition from Union, or from your current position, especially during these uncertain times.
Bio: Ruth Schemmer, PhD (she/her/hers)
Graduate Career Advisor
Since 2003, Ruth has advised graduate students at two universities, and across all disciplines, on all things career-related. Currently, she enjoys assisting those who find themselves drawn to seminary education, whether they are planning careers in clergy work, social justice, education, nonprofit, entrepreneurial, or business settings.
Born, raised, and nurtured in the United Church of Christ, Ruth’s faith story is rooted firmly in progressive UCC congregations. She served in leadership at the congregational and regional levels, chaired a search committee, and has served as an informal mentor for numerous pastors. Ruth’s Ph.D. is in Sociology, from Texas A&M University.
Individual Career Coaching
Each appointment lasts 45 minutes, via Zoom, and the topic is widely variable – resume review, figuring out the job search, exploring options, mock interviews. You tell me what you want to discuss and we’ll discuss it!
To make an appt, visit: https://calendly.com/ruths-advising/individual-career-advising
Career Development Workshops, January 2021
Explore ImaginePhD.com!
Wed, 1/20; 5 pm ET
Register: https://calendly.com/ruths-advising/meet-imaginephd
ImaginePhD.com is a free career planning tool for Humanities and Social Science PhD students. It has assessments, job family resources, and a timeline planning tool. We’ll also wander through Beyond the Professoriate’s website for more career exploration resources. All are welcome to attend – both sites are also useful for master’s level students.
Resume/CV Review Drop-ins
Fri, 1/22, 2-4 pm ET
Zoom room: https://zoom.us/j/8784607747?pwd=N0VlZWhwM0xrV0pnaXBKWkx2TFB1dz09
Think “walk-ins, Zoom-style”. Short resume or CV review sessions. Please be patient in the Waiting Room – I’ll be with you as soon as I finish working with the person ahead of you. For best use of time, email Ruth your resume or CV ahead of time: rschemmer@uts.columbia.edu
Preparing for Online Interviews
Thurs, 1/28, 12:00 pm ET
Register: https://calendly.com/ruths-advising/preparing-for-online-interviews
In this time of pandemic, most interviews are taking place online or by phone; such settings offer their own challenges. We’ll discuss general interviewing preparation, with the focus on web-based and phone settings. Better preparation is the goal!
Imagining Possibilities: Finding Your Path
6 sessions from Feb – May
Meeting times TBD by participants’ schedules
- Primary text: Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
- Limited size: 5-10 participants, depending on interest
Explore career options through designing your own meaningful path. You’ll complete guided exercises, as well as gather bi-weekly for discussion. This small group setting will offer time for questions that arise from the reading and the exploration work. Interested? Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Qsx1he9BHr21x7Lf7