4 Tips for Navigating Career Transitions from GS Alumni

The GS community is known for its diverse backgrounds and resilience. So it’s no surprise that when it comes to career transitions, GSers are adept at pivoting and adapting to whatever challenge or opportunity crosses their paths. Whether shifting from the military to finance, the arts to technology, or fashion to entrepreneurship, GS alumni leverage their unique experiences and the strength of a Columbia education to navigate new professional landscapes. Alumni Lenny Ciotti '22GS, Yasmeen Ibrahim '19GS, and Joshua Scott '21GS share some key pieces of advice that helped them along their nontraditional journeys and the role GS played in their career transitions.

Embrace Your Community and Resources

Yasmeen Ibrahim '19GS, who started a successful styling business right out of high school, emphasized the importance of utilizing available resources. Before starting at GS, Ibrahim studied psychology and business at Northern Virginia Community College, and found Columbia’s Center for Career Education (CCE) instrumental to her success."My time at GS helped me in so many ways. I got this job [in management consulting] because of the career center. Everything happened for me at the career center—info sessions, resume workshops, and interviews. Highly recommend using CCE."

She also highlighted how the GS community provided a strong support system. Lenny Ciotti '22GS, an actor turned data analyst, echoed the sentiment: "At GS, people were just so helpful and supportive. Everyone would jump in to help. That sense of community is something I now look for in my workplace."

Don't Limit Yourself to Your Major

A common worry among students is that their major will determine their career path, but the panelists reassured that this isn't the case. Ciotti, who studied economics at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) before transferring to GS shared: "Don’t limit yourself. I was an econ major and now I’m working in higher ed. The industry you choose is more related to what you want from your career rather than what your skill set is."

Joshua Scott '21GS was a firefighter and EMT before enrolling at Seattle Central College to focus on writing. Upon transferring to GS, he shifted his focus: "I studied sociocultural anthropology—arguably one of the harder majors to find a job for outside of academia. What I’d say is be prepared to find a common ground for whatever field you’re interested in. Sometimes a career can find you."

Adapt and Advocate for Yourself

Transitioning into a new industry can come with challenges, but the ability to adapt and advocate for yourself is key. Ciotti emphasized learning practical skills: "The challenge for me was teaching myself practical skills. There was a learning curve, but if you’re at Columbia, you have access to LinkedIn Learning and other resources to bridge the gap."

Ibrahim added that career transitions may require starting at a lower level than expected: "Starting out at a more entry-level position than I had hoped was frustrating, but we all adapt and adjust. You have to humble yourself to be a learner again."

Be Open to Unexpected Opportunities

Career paths are not always linear, and unexpected opportunities can lead to fulfilling careers. "I never imagined working in higher education, but my love for GS made me want to stay in a welcoming and open environment," said Ciotti. “Staying flexible in your job search can lead to surprising and rewarding careers."

Scott added: "Control the factors that you can control, but also be prepared for opportunities you didn’t originally consider.”

Whether you're navigating a career transition yourself or helping others through one, embracing your community and utilizing the resources available to you can be incredibly valuable. If you’re interested in connecting with GS alumni in a specific industry, reach out to the GS Alumni Relations team: [email protected]