Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Howard Figler Tele-Interview

As I was listening to Howard Figler's Careerwell Tele-interview on, "The Role of a Liberal Education in the Development of Career" I was looking up community college courses on writing and publication. Mr. Figler has a wealth of knowledge and information about career development. The "Career Counselor's Handbook," and "The Complete Job Search Handbook" are just two of the many books and articles he has written. I had been looking forward to hearing the interview, and I was very impressed with his discussion about getting a well rounded education. He said that the courses you take in college are more important than the degree you receive. It really made sense.

Then Mr. Figler began talking about taking courses you want to take rather than the classes you think will lead to a degree and land you a job. I thought that is great except that we are in a recession. Can we afford to follow our passion and take courses in areas we are interested in? I thought about the fact that I have always taken courses that I thought would lead to employability rather than courses I want to take. I  always wanted to take courses in English and Anthropology. In fact, whenever I have a chance to take a class for the fun of it, I take a class in literature or writing. Now I am starting a publishing business and looking for English classes. After coming full circle, I realize it does make sense to take classes you enjoy.

After getting an AA degree in Business, a B.A. in Psychology, and an M.S. in Career Counseling, I am coaching clients on writing and entrepreneurship. While listening to Figler it suddenly hit me that I always thought studying English was impractical, and now here I am looking looking for English courses. As I was telling myself that I had always taken the practical route, I realized that what Mr. Figler was saying was exactly right. I am finally seeking a career I am passionate about.

If you missed Howard Figler, you missed an excellent Careerwell Tele-interview. You can sign up now for the December Careerwell Tele-interviews at www.careerwell.org.

 
This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Entrepreneurial Spirit at Work


"The workforce as we've come to know it will probably never be the same. Job-seekers must develop a whole new mind-set to thrive in this new world of work. Dr. Randall S. Hansen, founder and publisher of QuintCareers.
 
In a previously thriving economy, most people expected financial and job security, although they often worked for years in jobs they didn't enjoy. Now that jobs are getting harder to find, it takes more research and planning to find a fit for your strengths, passions, and values. Promotions, benefits, and bonuses are no longer the norm. Finding value in your work, staying healthy, and contributing to something greater than yourself, can bring more satisfaction than working at a job that "appears" to provide security. An entrepreneurial mindset will give you the adaptability and resilience to thrive in a changing workplace.

 

Researching your options, understanding hidden expenses and demands, and knowing why you are working will help you make the best career decisions. You can create opportunities for yourself by developing an Entrepreneurial Spirit."

 
In his Job Action Day article, Welcome to the Age of Protean Careers: Encouraging Workers and Job-Seekers to be Proactive in a Transformational Workplace Jay Block says, “Protean Careers." Get used to the term, for it's here to stay. Indeed, the American workplace has changed forever; and this transformation is presenting significant problems for many who have come to depend upon the "Industrial Age" workplace. The "Protean" workplace is the only viable solution to the transformational shift away from employers taking care of employees, to employees taking care of themselves

Block uses the analogy of Proteus because, “He was able to change, adapt, and acclimate himself to successfully meet and thrive in the future that he envisioned.”

In his 4th and 5th points on how to use a “Proteus Solution,” Jay says that you need to become an independent entrepreneur and live within your means.

Kristin Cardinale, Ph.D. suggests that The typical American worker suffers from something along the same line that I refer to as 'career myopia' whereby workers lose their ability to visualize the big picture because they are so focused on the daily grind of the 9-to-5 world. As a result, their field of vision narrows, and the big picture becomes fuzzy. They lose sight of their dreams and instead fixate on merely surviving instead of thriving.” Read her Job Action Day article, Avoid Career Myopia and Create Your Opportunity for Freedom, to learn more about creating an "entrepreneurial career model." 
 
Expecting an employer, counselor, assessment, friend, or family member to tell you the “right career” for you is an example of “career myopia.” Doing your own research on the internet and through informational interviews as well as talking to friends, colleagues, and family about their career and life experiences will give you the fuel you need to make your own career decisions. Manage yourself and your career as if you were your own boss.

“You can find so many opportunities to make others feel like they matter, be it your co-worker or customer, mentor or manager, supervisor or stranger on the other end of the line.” says Billie Sucher in his article, Are You a S.M.A.R.T. Worker? Career Strategies to Make You More Valuable at Work.     

  
An entrepreneur looks for opportunities at work, home, and in the community for building positive relationships. Everyone is a potential customer, ally, or partner. You can create opportunities through your entrepreneurial spirit. 


 Job Action Day articles on the entrepreneurial spirit:

Creating Opportunity Through Your Entrepreneurial Spirit,
 by Nancy Miller



Welcome to the Age of Protean Careers: Encouraging Workers and Job-Seekers to be Proactive in a Transformational Workplace by Jay Block


Avoid Career Myopia and Create Your Opportunity for Freedom, Kristin Cardinale, Ph.D


Are You a S.M.A.R.T. Worker? Career Strategies to Make You More Valuable At Work, by Billie Sucher




Read all of the Job Action Day articles at: http://www.jobactionday.com/2010-Job-Action-Day.html.




This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright CLWD © 2005 Nancy Miller

Thursday, November 04, 2010

The Art of Storytelling

Is learning the art of storytelling in your personal career and/or business plan? The ability to tell your story in a professional positive light is an important part of your career development. Why is storytelling so important? In her book, "Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling to Get Jobs and Propel Your Career," storytelling guru Katherine Hansen, PhD says that your story makes you unique and gives the interviewer something to like about you. When you tell your story concisely and effectively giving an interviewer, customer, or client a "picture" of what you can do for them they will remember you.

When I first heard employment specialists recommend that clients "tell their story," I was appalled at some of the "stories" I heard. Most of us are not in the habit of telling our story effectively. By learning to write and tell our stories we can be honest, listen to ourselves, change negative thinking, and feel more confident about our skills and abilities. I have been journaling my story everyday in a blog called, "Walk About U!" The practice of writing and walking has helped me to write more creatively, feel more energized, and use analogies to paint a picture. Telling a good story takes practice. Taking a "Walk About U!" with LifeWork Coach, Nancy Miller, is a fun way to develop and express your story.

Developing a simple "LifeWork Success Plan" is an excellent way to organize your thoughts and ideas and bring out the stories you want to tell about your business or career. You can sign up for the LifeWork Success Plan Coaching Program to propel your career or business.



This website is intended for informational purposes only. For professional personal/ career coaching, call or email Nancy for assistance with consulting, resources, and information to meet your personal needs. See links on the side panel for professional organizations. Copyright LWD © 2005 Nancy Miller