Be A Self-Starter: Go For A Career You'Ll Love

Don't wait for the future to happen to you. Here's how to take the initiative and plan ahead.

Jackie sits slumped over her desk. She is tired, bored, and uninterested in her work. Her true passion is sports; she's a competitive runner who has won several long road races. Although she loves an active lifestyle, she now spends most of her time sitting, working as an administrative assistant at a bank.

Mark, on the other hand, loves his job. He is enthused about his work. A scientist by training, Mark conducts lab experiments. Mark enjoys his work so much that he can't imagine doing anything else. "I can't believe I get paid to do what I love," he says. For Mark, his work is a dream come true.

What's the difference between Mark and Jackie? How did Mark end up with a job he loves, while Jackie is miserable in her job? Mark learned how to be a self-starter. He planned for his future and didn't wait for life to happen to him.

How can you be like Mark? How can you learn to take the initiative to find a career you love?

Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Take a Self-Inventory

What do you like to do? What are you interested in?

Since answering these questions could be a huge task, you might start by doing some volunteer work or getting some paid work experience.

Take Mark, the scientist. He worked in a laboratory while he was in high school. All Mark did was wash the glassware; the scientists didn't want him doing experiments that might have exposed him to dangerous chemicals. Nonetheless, Mark could talk with the scientists and observe what they did on a day-to-day basis. For Mark, this work experience helped him settle on a career in science.

Over the next couple of days, think about the times when you're happiest and the times when you're not. What makes you happy? What makes you feel like time is flying by? When does time drag? What makes you anxious to get out of a particular situation?

As you're going through this self-observation exercise, make a list of the things you enjoy and the things you don't. Then next week you can study this list and discuss it with a favorite teacher, guidance counselor, or anyone you trust. You also can ask his or her guidance in helping you connect the self-observations on your list with career paths to explore.

Once you find something you're passionate about, you will be motivated. You'll feel driven to learn the necessary skills and to succeed in your career, simply because you love what you're doing.

Be Creative

Still having trouble identifying what you might like to do? Some people are lucky and can map out their career paths quickly. Justin, a computer engineer, falls into that category. He knew what he liked from a very early age. It turned out that his interests were very marketable. He walked straight from college into a high-paying career, and now, a few years later, owns his own company, Perigee, L.L.C., near Syracuse, New York. He loves what he is doing.

Others may have to work harder to make the connection between what they love to do and a meaningful career. Denise is a perfect example of that. She was trained in music; she is now working in business. What's the connection? "Like, music, running a business allows me to be incredibly creative," she says.

Begin with the End in Mind

Stephen Covey, author of the hugely successful book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, urges us to "begin with the end in mind." He reminds us that we need to know where we're going if we want to accomplish our goals.

But you're probably thinking that just defining your end goal is an enormous task! Again, taking small, incremental steps can be a good start. For example, you could set a small goal of taking a personality test as a step toward determining which careers might match your personality. Or, you could make an appointment with your guidance counselor to talk about your career options. Do you know someone whose mom or dad gets paid to do something you think is really cool? You could ask that person to spend some time talking with you about career options.

Set Realistic Goals

"Set small goals that you can achieve within a week or two," recommends Fred O. Smith, a career consultant at Peer Productions in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and a former teacher at the North Carolina School of Science and Math. For example, in one week, you could make a few phone calls or send out a few job applications. Then, once you achieve these goals, you could focus on another set of short-term goals. For example, the next week you could plan to follow up on those phone calls or job applications, perhaps with more phone calls.

"Try to make regular progress, be patient, and be sure to enjoy every accomplishment, no matter how small, "adds Smith. "If you just make regular progress and keep track of your goals you'll get that much closer to what you want."

WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU?

From the statements below, decide which describe you. Then use your positive responses to help guide you in choosing a career path.

1. I like working with people.

2. I enjoy being creative.

3. I want to be my own boss.

4. I like to travel.

5. I am a private person.

6. I want to be in charge of my own time.

7. I like solving problems.

8. I enjoy being physically active.

9. I want to work outdoors.

10. I want to make a lot of money.

Based on your responses to the statements above, the following are just a few examples of careers you could consider. For each response, how many more career options can you think of?

1. Agree--Nurse, teacher, receptionist, salesperson, customer service representative, physical therapist, law enforcement official

2. Agree--Writer, computer programmer, advertising creative director, chef, virtual set designer, architect, actor

3. Agree--Entrepreneur, consultant, independent contractor

4. Agree--Sales representative, some technical positions, airline pilot, flight attendant

5. Agree--Computer programmer, technical ghostwriter, lab technician

6. Agree--Freelance writer, editor, laboratory researcher, sales representative

7. Agree--Laboratory researcher, computer programmer, lawyer, doctor, scientist, systems analyst

8. Agree--Park ranger, coach, personal trainer, construction trades worker

9. Agree--Park ranger, field researcher, grounds maintenance worker, construction trades worker, ski patrol worker, lifeguard

10. Agree--Entrepreneur, marketing, sales, stockbroker, information technology developer, financial consultant

Now group your positive responses and find out more about a career that interests you. Enlist someone's help! Share your responses with someone you know and trust (a teacher, guidance counselor, parent, or friend's parent). Ask or her to discuss potential career options with you in relation to your responses.

COPYRIGHT 2000 Weekly Reader Corp.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group