Today, as I was working with an insurance agent to add coverage to my policy, the woman with whom I was speaking shared that she had heard that the company where I work is a great company. During the course of our conversation, she also mentioned that she had visited the company’s website and had not seen any job openings posted and expressed an interest in learning about potential openings. Some on the spot career [...]

“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and find a way to offer it to others.” ~Oprah Winfrey You’re probably familiar with the concept of having a “calling” or “feeling called” to do some type of work or participate in life in some way that is unique to you. Personally, [...]

“What are you working toward?“ Use the next few minutes to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask yourself the following questions: What am I working toward in my career?” What areas of my work do I feel like I’m building something of value? What are the areas where I am having an impact/making a difference in ways that are meaningful for me? If answers come easily and you feel good about your [...]

If you get an opportunity to check out this month’s issue of MORE magazine, you’ll encounter an inspirational article (also available online) entitled  “Give Your Career Some Oxygen.” I’m fascinated when I hear novel terms related to career and professional development (check out a previous post on “career hitchhiking“). So, when I saw the term “career oxygen.” It really got me thinking about what a great concept to consider at any point on your career [...]

I have been thinking a lot about “value” and “meaning” lately. Many of us, and most certainly myself, desire a professional life that has a sense of “meaning.” I have been seeking and craving meaning for my entire life. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to know what something really “means” and to connect with and be a part of something that has greater “meaning” than myself. A “meaningful” career or [...]

How can you know what you want Till you get what you want And you see if you like it? — Steven Sondheim, Into the Woods “I really want to be a business systems analyst” or “I see myself as a consultant when I grow up” would have never emerged from my mouth as a child or even as a teenager. Of course, I had never heard of a business systems analyst position or even [...]

In my early life, I tested much more dominantly as an “intuitive” type than as a “sensing” type, according to Carl Jung’s (i.e., Myers-Briggs) personality typology. My first full-time permanent work environment created conditions where the dependable intuitive ways that I solved problems did not improve my situation and seemed to make me feel even worse! Although I performed the work very well, I did not feel as though I fit in with the corporate [...]

Yesterday, I visited a local college in my area for an informational interview with the Director of Academic Advising. Working in higher education as an academic/career advisor is my short-term professional goal within an organization, while my long-term goals for work include taking on expanding supervisory/management responsibilities related to student and professional development. I plan to continue my private consulting work as well. As I was awaiting my meeting, a student at the college arrived [...]