When I was in high-school we all were required at some point around our sophomore year to complete a career inventory survey and the results churned out a list of careers that we were supposedly suited for and rank ordered them
Mine said that I should be a farmer.
Photo by Erik Aquino on Unsplash
The fact that I was born and raised in Wisconsin has me now questioning if the agriculture industry may have had a hand in those results, because I remember I wasn’t the only future farmer in the room, and my wife (also from WI) and I had a good laugh this week about how her results churned out something similar. The point here is that the oversimplification of something so major is now both hilarious and a little sad to me, and what’s sadder is that broadly I don’t think we’ve gotten all that much better at supporting young people in finding a purposeful path before they sink a pile of money and time into education…or don’t, but wish they had. Don’t get me wrong, some schools, programs, and parents do this exceptionally well, but I would argue that based on my experience these are the exception rather than the rule.
Although farming is noble and important work, I’m not a farmer. Today I’m an experiential educator/education advocate, and a coach/consultant. My focus centers on supporting others in identifying, aligning to, and pursuing their purpose wholeheartedly so they can realize their fullest potential and contribute in ways that matter. AND that’s not done by simply giving a survey and telling a person they should be [FILL IN THE BLANK].
There are several things that I’ve found to be important to consider when working to identify a purposeful career path practically. If you’re at a crossroads or are supporting a young person who might be, here are a few things that I believe need to be thoughtfully considered:
What are your core values? What are the things that above all you care about and that serve as a NorthStar for how you aspire to live your life? Your values inform your motives and can help identify lifestyle and legacy. Your values also help to identify the kinds of work and sectors you should avoid if you’re to avoid serious conflict of interest. Your values are the most important thing to sort before you attach yourself to a career endeavor where you will very likely spend the majority of your waking hours.
What have or haven’t you been exposed to? Who do you know or see on a regular basis? What do they do? What do their lifestyles appear to be? Do they seem fulfilled? Is your perception being limited by your daily reality? What and who we have access to greatly influences our perception of reality and possibility. If young people never leave their communities or their schools they will be bound by a more limited perception of reality and possibility. This is why it is so critical that we invest equitably in getting our young people out into the world, across thresholds they may not otherwise have the opportunity to cross, and connected meaningfully to diverse peers and adults. Job shadowing, professional mentoring, internships, intentionally designed field-trips. These things are all critical. Learn about the vast variety of career paths that exist. Find ways to see, hear, and feel what the work might be like.
What’s your demeanor? I’ve been called a “kinetic” person. That’s a nice way of saying I’m high energy and I probably can be a little annoying with my bouncing around and fidgeting. This is why in my 20's when I found myself in a job that turned out to be 90% sitting at a desk on a computer doing “paperwork” with very little movement and/or problem solving opportunity, I wanted to explode out of my skin. Finding a career that allows you to be yourself and that meets your mental and physical needs for stimulation is a must.
Introversion or extroversion? It's actually not that simple and there's a spectrum, but there is absolutely value in understanding if you get energy from connecting with others, or if it takes and/or drains your energy to connect with others. And in what settings and conditions is this true? I’m extroverted in some situations, and in others the work of “being on” can be really draining. I hate professional networking events but love a group physical activity or outdoor focused event. I value my alone time for focused work and contemplation, but I also need to bop around and get some face time with actual people that’s not through a screen. What brings you energy? Where do you get your highest energy? What are your limits?
What are your strengths, interests, and inclinations? I’m a growth mindset guy, and I genuinely believe that with effort anyone CAN get better at anything. That said, we're only motivated to get better at some things. The muscles you train, develop. The skills you hone, get sharp. If you’re good at something, and you have genuine interest in it you're going to lean into that. Is the work you’re pursuing aligned with your most prominent strengths? Do you know what your strengths are? Think about it. Ask those who know you best.
What is the balance you need? There’s no “right” balance that can broadly be applied to everyone. People are different. Some are grinders and legitimately love to work long hours, especially if the output and outcomes of those hours match their values, motives, and goals. Some people need and desire to have ample time to pursue non-work related things (recreation, social, family etc), on a regular basis. We all need some time for social/family/spiritual pursuits, and to adequately engage in self-care, but the amount and type varies by the individual. What kind of time off do you need to adequately rejuvenate and stay motivated? What time of day are you “on” and most likely to be in flow? Will this career and the likely work schedule, demands, and setting allow for you to leverage that?
What’s the reality? We can sell dreams all day but we’re setting ourselves and others up for failure if we can’t figure out a way to tangibly pursue them. What are your financial aspirations, obligations, and limitations, and does this work align? Are the bills going to get paid and will you have some leftover for the things you care about? What’s the job outlook and are the sector trends both nationally and in and around your community? What are your family obligations? Can you practically go where you need to, to get the right education and experience? Are you willing to do that? How can you gain experience right now? These are just some of the questions that need to be asked and considered. We need not be bound by our current reality, but understanding it for what it is, and being honest about the barriers we face and opportunities available, will help us to navigate to where we want to go.
We sink a ton of time, energy, and resources into moving ourselves and others to the next thing and often we try to do that at a hurried pace. I would argue that a 30-40% undergraduate college dropout rate is one indicator that we need to spend more time, energy, and resources in intentionally exploring what the next thing should be before we jump in.
If you or someone you care about is approaching a major career path decision, take the time to think about/support them in thinking about the above, and in seeking the answers and experiences that will position you/them for a thoughtful next step.
Comments