21 years ago I was discontented Systems Analyst trying to figure out what I wanted to be "when I grew up."
My HR contact handed me a self guided workbook and said, "have at it."
I did. But, it didn’t help much.
Would have been nice to have a career counselor or coach.
Maybe that’s why I became one… we teach what we must learn… and those of us who are ‘healers’ are really trying to heal ourselves.
But, enough with the philosophy.
Back then, there was a guidebook and a structure.
But, what about you? YOU the artistic, creative, unconventional, mulit-talented types?
What’s are you to do?
Well, since I am all of those and have struggled my way through the books and web sites and workshops to find THE WORK that fits… well, I want to share my learnings with you.
Traditionally, finding a career rests on looking at certain key elements and using them to ‘paint’ a picture of your ideal career.
So, can we use those same elements to CREATE a career?
I think so.
What are they?
Skills/Competencies — What you can DO. What you KNOW.
Interests — What kind of work appeals to you.
Personality — Who you are can determine what you do well.
Values — How you do your work can be critical.
Richard Nelson Bolles’ "What Color is Your Parachute", also adds
– Kinds of things you like to work with
– Kinds of information you like to work with
– Kinds of people you like to work with (co-workers and customers)
– Favorite rewards at work (salary, level of employment, other)
– Your favourite emotional or spiritual setting
– Your favourite outcomes
– Your geographical preferences and favourite physical setting
Over the next series of post, I will show how you can use these ‘traditional’ career elements to create an unconventional, creative career
