I recently had a chance to observe a career counselor giving a classroom presentation about writing an effective resume and cover letter. While the talk certainly covered some nuts and bolts, the questions from the students really took things in a different direction. Career is more than finding a job; it’s finding the right job. As it turned out, I think the discussion was just as critical as a good resume.
Among the many expectations college students have about the benefits of earning a degree, the ability to land that “perfect job” is often number one. If only it was that simple. Sure, some people know exactly what they want, but for many people, finding a satisfying career (or changing careers) is long process. It requires strong self-awareness, research, and maybe even some trial and error. It is a delicate balancing act of wants, needs, skills, and a willingness to follow the energy.
That’s right. Energy. The things we do require energy, whether it’s the laundry or accounts receivable. The things we enjoy also give us energy in return. We usually know it when we feel it; we feel proud, satisfied, accomplished, determined, and eager for more. We might feel tired, exhausted even, but it’s a good tired. The things that take energy, but don’t give any back, just leave us tired.
As the career counselor told the class, the key to a satisfying career is finding and doing those things that give us energy. I am already a believer. I spent many, many years doing something that simply left me tired. So, I went back to school to finish a degree to increase my options. But even after earning my degree, I ended up doing something that left me tired, the bad tired. I had student loans to pay and all of the other life bills that cannot be ignored. I had to work and had to look at the bottom line.
Unfortunately, I think the bottom line drives most of us. It has to in certain ways, I suppose. Yet, as the career counselor also told the class, we can and should keep taking steps toward something we genuinely enjoy. Maybe we can only take baby steps. Maybe it takes a long time. Maybe there will be twists and turns and forks. My own career path has been filled with all of the above, but I know I am finally getting there!
Finding that fit is a journey. We have to be willing to take it.
