Yesterday I shared some important statistics that should have helped reduce the pressure you’re putting on yourself over the big decisions: what major? Where to intern? Where to work after you graduate? If you’re in school right now, you were likely raised by the “company man” generation: go to work for the same company for your entire career.
Those days are gone.
Ok. Pressure off. But how do you decide!?
Most importantly, don’t start where everyone else does: by asking what’s available.
When you start a search for a field of study, an internship, or a job, it can be tempting to rush to the internet and start looking for options. This is a terrible idea!!
What percentage of retail sales took place via the internet last year? Less than ten. Are you shocked? We’re surrounded by the internet, but that immersion is creating a false sense of reality. Don’t let that lens blind you as you plan your life.
A recent study showed that over 70% of the open jobs in this country are NOT listed online.
This means that if you search for openings as a way to decide what you want to become, you’re focused on 30% of the options out there. Not great.Don’t believe me? Try this: I spent a decade dreaming of becoming a university professor. I took extra classes in grad school to earn the “Future Professor” certificate, which included a survey of academic jobs presented by the highest level administrator in the graduate school. I didn’t just study the business I wanted to be in; I studied how to study the business I wanted to be in.Yet, I didn’t know the type of position that I currently hold existed until the month I accepted the job offer. Ten years of hunting and I landed a dream job I’d never heard of. Do you think you know your industry better?
What to do instead? Know yourself.
As I searched, I spent a lot of time reflecting. Looking back, I KNEW that my current position was my dream, even though I didn’t know it existed. Which made it pretty easy to decide on when I finally found it.
Tomorrow I’ll give details on how you can do the same.
Did this add value to your life? Consider sharing with someone else who may need it. Questions? Thoughts? Disagree? Leave a comment!
