What I told my son about finding the right career for him
I wrote this to my son a few years ago, when he was leaving university and unsure about launching his career.
“A good start is to avoid dead-end jobs - where you’ll hate each day, learn little, and see no helpful step to the next job.
Instead, consider:
Look at current trends - local, national and international – that you might take into consideration. I’m thinking of the rise of the elderly, the irrevocable fragmentation of traditional industries by the internet, huge gaps between rich and poor.
Are you thinking you’d like a single job, or perhaps a 'portfolio career' in which you do different things on different days (e.g. some sports coaching, some writing, some window-cleaning, some jazz playing)?
What are the different attractions for you of being self-employed or employed by a firm, or setting up something with your own partners?
Do you want there to be a service element – perhaps a caring profession, the civil service, military or religious?
What’s your style: technical, managerial, professional or entrepreneurial?
And who can help you get to where you want to go?
Tap into networks, such as LinkedIn, the University career guidance or get some time with a professional career coach.”
And for this my son has been eternally grateful.
Oh, hang on, I’m still waiting for a reply.
Helping Leaders & Teams Play with Potential & Performance. Keynote Speaker. Team Building. Facilitator. Media 'Go-To' on Play For All, especially at work. Advisor on ROI of Playfulness & Flow in the workplace. HR Nerd.
2 年Thank you for the "starter template" of beginning a letter for our 16 year old son who will enter his last year of high school. We will add the questions about "where do you see work that looks mostly fun?". As Jeanne M. Lambin pointed out there will be the inevitable parts of the job that are a "Sh*T sandwich" as Elizabeth Gilbert describes it. What kind and how big do you want that sandwich to be? We'll also add hands-on/mechanical to the question of "What's your style". Much appreciated.
Executive + Careers Coach | Solution-Focused Trainer| OD Consultant I Facilitator I Author | FCIPD, PCC, ILM L7 Coaching Supervision
2 年These are super questions Paul Z Jackson, identifying as suitable direction question by questions, step by step
Extending Invitations to Experience and Engage with Who and What Matters to You
2 年Paul, to me the letter and intention may be even more important than the advice or direction contained within. I would have cherished a letter from my dad at that age even if I did not reply as my actual reply would be my career path. Thanks "dad."
Resilient Leadership. Accelerated Career Growth.
2 年Paul Z Jackson, I also suggest people try to find meaning and fun in the process--notice their energy--is it depleted by the interaction? Is it stimulated? Sounds obvious, but when people are unclear, it can help them see they want to move toward or away....