Exploring New Opportunities Across CEMI: One Employee’s Perspective on Term Appointments
The Cornell Enterprise Modernization Initiative (CEMI) continues to build momentum, with 10 new positions now available across specialty areas including data and analytics, cloud and integration engineering, cybersecurity, Salesforce administration and development, project management, and organizational change management.
These openings include remote roles and positions based in both Ithaca and New York City, giving prospective candidates flexibility to pursue a new role while balancing personal, family, and location preferences.
Many positions are two- or three-year term appointments aligned with specific CEMI projects. Depending on your goals and circumstances, these roles may offer opportunities to develop new skills, gain experience in a different area, or work in a new location for a set period.
Considering a Term Appointment
Term appointments can open doors to new experiences and skill development, but they also require weighing factors such as job stability, career goals, and personal circumstances.
Technical Communicator and CEMI Program Communications mentor Carlyn Chatfield understands that the decision can be both exciting and complex.
“Earlier in my career, I had back-to-back opportunities to take on short-term assignments supporting a major modernization program,” Chatfield said.
The first decision was easy: a two-year business analyst assignment supporting the rollout of a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This role provided valuable technical training, expanded her professional network, and offered hands-on experience with a large-scale technology transformation.
When that assignment ended, she faced a tougher choice: accept a three-month systems administration role while leaders sought funding for a permanent position, or pursue one of two permanent openings elsewhere on campus.
“Turning down the three-month role was difficult,” Chatfield said. “The work aligned with the skills I had developed, and it offered a promising career path. But there was no guarantee the position would become permanent.”
Ultimately, she chose a permanent web editor position in the IT department.
“That was in 2003, and it turned out to be the best career decision I made before coming to Cornell,” she said.
Looking back, Chatfield sees value in both experiences. One provided new skills, experiences, and professional connections; the other offered stability and led to unexpected career growth in a different direction.
“The right choice depends on your goals, your circumstances, and where you want your career to go next,” she said.
Interested in Exploring Opportunities?
If you are interested in learning more about current openings, visit the CEMI Opportunities page for the latest positions and updates.