The Accidental Career

Why this post?

It was over this week when I was interacting with lots of people the reason why I like my job (...the reason why I love my profession) and it so happened that I got some time with myself and started thinking of outliers, this time these outliers were in terms of career people are pursuing or few even retiring now! What came to me in abundance is the career people pursue- Are their career choice planned? OR did they happen to be doing it by virtue of Accidental Career?

The Accidental Career- Introduction

My definition: the career one pursues by virtue of a an unexpected or unintentional circumstance one was exposed to. When you study in a specific field and by virtue of some circumstance you were to start working in the field which in all possible prudence & sanity you ever thought you would pursue. At the very time when one gets into a career by accident it perplexes them but once the learning curve is attained and the career stabilized they look contended with very less agony for what happened to them.

Case in point #1

Yashwant (name changed) who studied mechanical engineering and an ardent mechie at heart applied to many companies, like it happens to most engineering colleges that IT companies come in to pick the first best lot, he got placed with an IT major of India. He also applied to various other core mechanical companies as his fate would be, he joined the IT company and 2 hrs after he signed the bond he got an email stating that he has been selected for a really rewarding core mechanical company which was a dream job for many. A decade after (i.e. today) he is doing extremely good with Fortune 500 company, he is shaping things for the company. He is contended, happy & delivering value to business. He is enjoying his career, the accidental career.

The chaos & the calmness

An Accidental Career creates a lot of unrest to the person and their families at the face of it. It’s chaotic at the face of it. What is remarkable is the ability of these individuals to embrace the chaos and be calm at the face of it. They are not the regular breed for the job as in accidents things just don’t go as per plan, now that’s what sets these people to think differently, contribute differently & be an asset to organization.

Is radical job rotation = Accidental Career

No, absolutely no. In a radical job rotation which decided your career, it may look accidental to you but the organization or your mentor had a clear view on how this change would help you take your career ahead.

Case in point #2

My personal experience…I have studied Mechanical Engineering had 5 job offers (all from core companies) and soon enough did convert Indian Engineering Services (IES) but chose not to get into Govt Sector but got into a Pvt India grown MNC (Mahindra Auto Sector, those days!). After spending 4 or so years in Engines R&D I made a career transition (by choice and design) guided by my mentor Prince Augustin to pursue a career in HR. This was a planned but a radical change but not an Accidental Career. Like it call it, I moved from Product Development to People Development. Its radical but it’s no accidental.

Economic Condition and Accidental Career

In recent past we have seen that the recession of 2007-09 which led to many people losing their jobs sadly but many of those from India chose to get into being a restrauntier, start coaching classes, even being a life coach etc. Adversity is the mother of radical changes and accident is the mother-in-law of super radical changes…

Say something concrete…

Here are few tips when faced with an accidental career:

• Don’t react, take a step back & think…
• …think how to succeed not what this happened.
• Keep skeptics away, they would have been there even if you had continued in your desired career.
• Get yourself a mentor not necessarily in the domain of your career.
• Don’t over think, it will not help
• Do your best, this will help
• Reduce any variability in your life which can make your life more complicated.

Are careers planned?

Yes and no both. Then the third option is it can be accidental.

Why am I writing about it?

...Shashwat has a lot of free time- No. I have a strong believe that individuals who have been to a career by accident do bring a great blend of ability to adapt to uncertainties. Others try to get this experience by virtue of planned job rotation. In VUCA world now, expect yourself to be at the face of many Accidental Career chances, possibly more than one in your life time.

Image courtesy: https://catherinescareercorner.com/2011/08/10/career-change-how-do-you-know-when-it%E2%80%99s-time/