{"id":195,"date":"2026-09-17T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.umflint.edu\/cit\/?p=195"},"modified":"2026-09-17T10:46:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T14:46:17","slug":"career-advisor-sharmee-dixon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.umflint.edu\/cit\/career-advisor-sharmee-dixon\/","title":{"rendered":"A Career Advisor\u2019s Guide to Finding Work You Love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many students in the University of Michigan-Flint College of Innovation and Technology<\/a> (CIT), thinking about life after college can feel intimidating,<\/strong> overwhelming, or simply like something that can wait until senior year. Sharmee Dixon<\/a> wants to change that mindset entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cCareer development does not happen in your junior or senior year. It begins in your very first term,\u201d she states.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

As CIT\u2019s new career advisor, Sharmee is on a mission to make her presence known<\/strong> across campus so students like you know they have an advocate. And you don\u2019t need a polished r\u00e9sum\u00e9, a list of questions, or a fully developed plan to meet with her; making an appointment is the first step.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ditching the TV Myths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Using O*NET OnLine to Uncover the Facts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Flint
Trey Day celebration hosted by the City of Flint, the University of Michigan-Flint, and Explore Flint & Genesee in honor of Flint native Trey McKenney following his recent national championship win with Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball in Flint on May 14, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Research is valuable,<\/strong> but students also need opportunities to experience professional environments. When you begin considering prospective careers, it\u2019s easy to get distracted by high starting salaries or popular portrayals<\/strong> of professions in media and family expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pitt<\/em><\/strong><\/a> may show the thrill in healthcare,<\/strong> but it leaves out the reality that real-life providers spend nearly half their shifts dealing with administrative burdens and electronic charting rather than active patient care. It\u2019s important to investigate the jobs you\u2019re interested in more deeply. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, career preparation involves more than looking at job titles. Using national labor resources like O*NET OnLine<\/a>, Sharmee guides students through researching<\/strong> realistic salary ranges, industry growth trends, and daily job expectations. More importantly, she helps students evaluate whether a career aligns with their interests,<\/strong> personal values, skills, and desired lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cA career is more than what you hear or see,\u201d Sharmee shares.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

She isn’t afraid to offer honest, supportive reality checks to help students understand what a career requires<\/strong> and determine their next steps. CIT Career Services can help you find the needed support to strengthen yourself professionally while also planning realistic alternatives.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Your Career Ideas a Test Run<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Surprising Value of Ruling Things Out<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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