There are a lot of career blogs, websites, books and coaches out there - each pitching a different approach to "success" in your work. The focus of this blog is encouragement, so I try not to spend time responding to every "sassy" article/post that I find off-base. However, I do think it's important to advise young people not to get too caught up in the hype about "chuck your job - switch jobs 13 times before you're thirty - fast, faster, fastest is the best/only way - text message your way to a new job (in lowercase letters of course)" mindset. While these zany approaches to career development make for good stories, they simply don't make for good career (or good lives for that matter) for the vast majority of working America.
I think the best careers are built on two simple pillars - developing and using your innate gifts and talents and making a contribution to something bigger than yourself. Mix in a healthy dose of interpersonal savvy and willingness to collaborate and you are in for a pretty positive ride. I was pleased to read this interview with Alexandra Levit, a corporate and university speaker on Gen-Y employees. Regarding the Gen-Y hype about chucking conventional careers, Levit says:
"Not everyone is cut out for the life of working for oneself. Not only is being an entrepreneur costly, nerve-wracking, and incredibly hard work, but because of the way our economy is structured, it’s simply impossible for everyone to be one. When considering employment, young people should look at an array of options, including those that involve working in the business world. At the end of the day, most people will end up employed in a more conventional work environment, so it may be wiser to develop the skills and the attitude that allow you to succeed and achieve your professional goals within the context of that setting."
Well said! Check out the rest of the interview here.
Peggy-
You make such an important point with this post. It is easy to get caught up in the "chuck-your-job/start-a-business/become-self-employed" hype, particularly out here in the blogosphere. Overlooked in all this hype is the fact that there are some great organizations out there, and many are better off capitalizing on the career opportunities, resources and support that these places offer than struggling on their own.
Posted by: Ann Bares | July 25, 2007 at 09:44 AM