Some careers are the result of one of two specific options. People are either born with a specific talent to earn the job they want to do — or life takes them on various adventures which allows them to learn diverse skill sets that keep them gainfully employed. In addition, some people are lucky enough find their “dream job” in a package that includes work they enjoy and pays the bills.
The jobs that some people are born to do often evolve their abilities as professionals over time. For example, people who like to design new things may take a job with an organization affords them the opportunity to create and innovate daily while building the foundation for emerging programs. These people are risk takers and don’t let the potential for failure to hold them back. When people find ways to continually develop new ideas or programs they also prevent their careers from being stagnate.
Others are life-long learners who successfully channel their skills into career opportunities. The continual learner sees the door to new jobs opening each time they develop new talents. This type of professional development includes taking on an assignments outside of one’s comfort zone to help broaden their outlook on work.
Some of us are life-long learners with innate abilities used to unlock the doors to progress for the greater good. Which one are you?
I have to ask, where is the actual content of this article? When I see a title like “Charting your Career Course” I think that there will be actual suggestions, not simply fluff. I expected more.
Erin, I appreciate your feedback. My blog basically focused on the two paths I’ve witnessed for people achieving their career goals. Yet, to respond to your question about tips to move forward, I will share a few tips I’ve used successfully over the years. They suggestions below are also the results of my friends abilities to promote their endeavors. One such friend is now a successful author who moved on from her “office job” to find a career that was the right fit for her.
Career tips
1. Take risks at work which means that your ability to be successful means that you can’t always follow obsolete rules.
2. Network to get to know people instead of see what you can get out of them. When you show you are truly interested in others work and their career choices, they may show interest in you.
3. If you are born with inherent talent, don’t be afraid to take a refresher training or two to keep your skills sharp.
4. Try not to fear your work place competition. Instead learn how they and others are moving forward and see what works for you. Sometimes we get angry that others move up faster than we do. Our ability to move up is the result of timing. When it is the right job, time and place it will happen. It’s like that song…”Don’t Stop Believing”.
5. Get out of your comfort zone. Some people stay in jobs that don’t work for them any more because of the good schedule, pay or work place friends. When was the last time you enjoyed the work that you do and it paid you well? Sound like a dream job? Well, dream jobs can be found with a bit of research, hard work and looking in the least expected places.
6. Lastly, don’t let failure stop you in your tracks. You can learn something from failure. I had a job in sales long ago and hated doing the work. It was not my best career choice, but we all take jobs that pay the bills right out of college. While things did not work out, I learned what I am good at doing and moved onto try different work.
Good luck with charting your career Erin!