Download - Albany Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce

VIEWPOINTYour next careerawaits youDan Moran, President, NEXT-ACTThe new paradigm of career managementis described by such words as nimble,resilient, opportunistic, adaptable andopen-minded. If you have your ownbusiness, are in a dead-end job, knowyou need a change or are dealing withthe remnants of changing businesssituations, economy or technology, you’llsoon experience the new job market.It is one that is challenging and full ofunknowns, yet at the same time ripe withopportunities for the future.Many people are moving toward theirgoals: a job, business or career they love.This process of pursuing quality of lifeand achieving happiness is often referredto as re-careering or reinventing. If you’renot happy in your job or career, all partsof life are affected –– home, relationships,performance, health and more.Eighty percent of baby boomers willnot traditionally retire, but will engage inwork long after retirement age. Some wantto, while others have to, as many 401k’swere decimated over the past few years.More new businesses are born duringrecessions, including such powerfulexamples as Starbucks, PetSmart andMicrosoft. What seemed impossibleto start years ago is not anymore dueto technology. Small business fuels theeconomy and jobs.Employers seek a person’s “fit” to thejob, in terms of personality, culture anddrive, not just experience or education.Skills developed with Company X aretransferrable to Company Y. Companiesare accepting of those reinventingthemselves and seeking new experiences.Accept defining moments anddeal with them. You can’t change history.What happened, good or bad, won’tchange. Don’t get caught up with “whatif ” thinking. Deal with the cards you’vebeen dealt. You can neither singlehandedlychange the economy nor undo personalsetbacks that occurred. Move on and puthistory in the past.Give yourself permission.Accepting that it is okay to change,strike out on your own or pursue yourtrue calling is critical. Many feel guilt indoing for themselves; others feel anxiousor fearful about the unknown. Let it go.Repeat: “It’s okay. I deserve this.”Discover your passion, then get aplan. Visualize what you truly love to do,and then pursue it with gusto. It is oftensaid that if you are passionate about what“Our generation is different. We not only embrace change, we yearn for it, dream about it and take action.”Previous generations didn’t embracechanging careers or reinventing themselves.Many toiled at one job their entire workinglife, even if they didn’t like it. The thoughtof entering a second career wasn’t accepted.Our generation is different. We notonly embrace change, we yearn for it,dream about it and take action. We areno longer content with just working for apaycheck; we reach a point where moneyisn’t the number one priority. We are ageneration and culture of change and thetrends are telling.People change careers two to fivetimes during their working life. Workerschange jobs every two to four years and20-somethings are changing jobs every18 months to two years. Loyalty betweenemployer and employee is out.More than 8 million people have foundthemselves out of work as their companydownsized or technology made their jobobsolete. They are forced to change to adegree which, for many, may be what theywere looking for.All too common is the situationwhere one is faced with a career-definingmoment, such as a job loss, company saleor other significant event. There are twooptions: wallow in pity or make lemonadeout of lemons. This means commit tofinding your true passion, take what youhave learned and work at what you enjoyon your terms, where you want and withwhom you want.Quite often, people say, “Dan, you arespeaking to me. I get it – now what’s next?”Here are four recommendations:you do, you will never work another day.The next step is tactical –– develop a planto achieve your goals. Work with a mentoror counselor. Make it simple, detailed andmeasurable. This is crucial to success.Remember: you cannot manage what youcannot measure.Commit. With your plan, passionand permission to move forward, committo it and make it happen. Communicateyour plans to others and ask for help whenneeded. Network, network, network; thereis no better way to open opportunities.Change is good and it is energizing. Ifyou can dream it and visualize it, you canbe it.•44 | acchamber.org | techvalley.org