By Tony Malanowski
It is a fact that we have to earn money to live. That is fine, but it is preferable that we do so by entering into a field that excites us and fulfills us. Too many people settle for the bland 9-5 existence where they are comfortable doing the limited tasks set for them. They wrap themselves up and snuggle in their security blanket and rarely—if ever —reach out of that comfort zone to test their options.
It’s a good bet that, if you are reading this blog, that kind of life is not for you. You are probably just starting out and would prefer something more open and enriching—a field where you can use and expand your talents to achieve monetary and personal enrichment. Let’s see how we can help you to make that happen by applying these four simple steps to create your path.
1. Finding Your Passion
When we were still in school, we were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It was a standard question, and some of us had a standard answer that would change capriciously with the years. But to find your passion, that may not be the correct question to ask. A better question might be “What are you especially good at?” Do you have a particular talent that would be best applied to a certain field? Are you interested in what makes an engine tick, or why certain clouds look the way they do? Is there one thing that you think about often, a career that seems like it would be fun to pursue?
A successful writer friend of mine once gave an interview where he said that he noticed early on that people who were exceptional in their field were people who found something they were good at, and then uncovered ways to turn those skills into a career. In his case, it was creative writing, but for others it could be anything. Look for something that matches how your brain works. If you are artistic, don’t look for work as a mathematical statistician. Following the “path of least resistance” is as good for someone trying to nail down a career move as it is for a flowing river.
2. Making a List of Goals
I read once about an executive who was hired to bring back a struggling corporation. This particular business had once achieved high standards but had fallen onto hard times, and he was assigned the task to bring it back before it was too late.
What he did rings true for anyone who is trying to correct a bad life situation or to create a new path for personal success. He made a list of goals for the company and gave it a timeline of 100 days to achieve. He called it “Operation 100,” and it set benchmarks for how to stop the downward spiral of the company and improve morale by fixing many of the “little things” that were draining resources and keeping the company from moving forward. His team responded, and the corporation was showing measurable improvement by the end of the 100 days.
You can also take advantage of this example. Start a list of goals, and make sure to include items that you are good at and check how to turn those passions into a profession. Look online for jobs that might fit your unique skill set. Don’t be deterred by how big the job description might be. You are just starting out, so you will be surprised at how many groups and smaller companies are looking for employees who are eager to learn, and have the skills to adapt and excel. Make sure your list is practical and your goals are reachable—don’t try to conquer the world in a few weeks (and don’t add too many goals so you won’t get frustrated). Do some research on the fields that you might want to look into, and go on the websites of local companies that do the kind of work that interests you. Do they have apprenticeship programs? Small steps can achieve big returns, as long as you faithfully move to achieve the goals on your list.
3. Research Others in your Field
Once you have decided on a general area to center on, check out some of the most successful people in that field and find out more about them. Do they have a personal blog or website that you can study? Can you find a detailed biography online to see if their paths can give you pointers to apply to your path?
See if they have published any books about how they got into their field (if they are really successful, chances are they want to talk about it!). You don’t need heavy “self-help” tomes at this point, but rather fact-based life stories that can give you practical lessons from those who have gone before you. Many leadership experiences can be applied across various careers, while some are specific to the path you are choosing. You will begin to see how to pick out those that will work for you. Your path will be more successful if you can reference how others navigated the bumps in their roads, and how you can best use their experiences to move beyond the bumps you encounter.
4. This Thing Called Networking
There is a famous old saying that reminds us, “If you want to be a person of knowledge, surround yourself with people of knowledge.” If you have a passion for a particular field, there are certainly many others who share that passion. Look for online clubs that meet virtually and locally. Share ideas, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. You’ll be surprised at how many people want to help. And just being around like-minded professionals can make you more excited about pursuing your goals. If someone is already in the field, ask for pointers about how best to proceed, and if they know of anyone who has an entry-level job opening. Many times, people are hired through specific recommendations or general tips about companies that are needing extra help. Don’t be afraid to “cold call” companies to see if they are hiring, and ask who you can send a resume to. You might do it one hundred times before you get a concrete answer, but remember, you only need one positive response to land a major career advancement!
It is also important to observe the people who are successful and adapt what works for you. Everyone has their own style, but if you start noticing certain traits that people in the field exhibit, see if you can employ or modify those traits to fit your personality. You are just starting out, so be the sponge that soaks up knowledge and experiences, and your passion (combined with your talents) will ultimately lead to landing a position in your chosen field!