|
|
 |
| Advertise with Java Journal and Save! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
by Milan Galan, Ph.D.
Career decisions can be challenging enough without a looming financial crisis. And although I think that most people would agree there is no magic cure for an economic downfall, there are some proactive measures that people can take to keep themselves strong contenders in the job market.
For many people, their career is the cornerstone of their life. Most career-oriented people spend more time with their jobs and coworkers than any other area of their lives. Yet, there is a lot of stress, unhappiness and overall discontentment in the work arena. The question is, “Why are many people so unhappy with their jobs?”
First, one needs to address why some people choose their careers. Of course, there are hundreds of reasons why people take on a particular job. For many, the first reason is money. However, one Stanford University study, conducted by John Krumboltz, suggests that people tend to “follow the path of least resistance.” In addition, he suggests that people often hold self-sabotaging ideas about themselves that prohibit them from taking proactive steps toward what they want in a career.
These reasons are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the “whys” of making career choices. However, I could probably list the names of 100 success manuals and self-help books that say the foremost step in embarking upon a successful career is to decide what would make you happy and keep a positive mind set. Job satisfaction is not only a key ingredient to success, but it relates largely to health and well being. The point is that you can weather an economic storm (and life) a lot better if you are not already worn down from an inordinate amount of stress.
In several of the job survey satisfaction reports that I have come across, there is an interesting common thread with those who are 65 percent or more “satisfied” with their work. They are all in some way or another in a helping profession. What I also find fascinating is, for the most part, these are all (relatively speaking) “recession proof” industries such as clergy, psychologists, fire fighters, teachers, physical therapists, authors, and so on. Although I am not suggesting that everyone run out and secure a position in one of these fields, it is cause for pause.
So where do you start? Once you have decided what your “dream job” looks like, there are several things that may need to be done to venture forward to securing life-long employment bliss. Some people may need to take some larger steps back into the classroom or start their own business, while others may simply need to jazz up their resume. Either way, the tasks can seem daunting. Moreover, the idea of going back to school can be met with a lot of logical arguments such as, “I don’t have time; I don’t have the money; I am too old.” The same set of debilitating rationalizations can be used for starting a business.
Change does not have to be a major life crisis. There are plenty of resources available to those who are ready to overhaul their lives. I once heard a great quote from a guru in India named Sathya Sai Baba who said, “Fear is the wrong use of the imagination.” I tend to agree.
In an interview I conducted with Dr. Thomas Peterman, vice president of distance learning at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, I asked some questions about how people can move forward without making major adjustments in their lives. One option is online learning.
Galan: How credible/valuable are online degrees in the competitive job market?
Peterman: Our online classes, in most cases, have the same course outcomes, syllabuses and objectives as a face-to-face class. Furthermore, there is no indication on a student’s transcript that their degree was obtained online. However, often times, our students mix and match their classes to more effectively meet their schedules. They may take some classes online or at a campus center. We have several of these throughout the United States.
Galan: What is the average demographic of the returning student?
Peterman: The average returning student is about 34 to 35, employed and married. Many of our students have families, and we have a large sector of military personnel.
Galan: What kind of financial support is available?
Peterman: There is everything from tuition assistance, Pell grants, scholarships, government-supported loans, and third-party billing [which is assistance from the students place of employment].
Galan: Have you seen a decline in third-party billing?
Peterman: Not as of yet.
Galan: How difficult is it to enroll in college after you have been out of education for many years?
Peterman: We understand that returning to school can be a traumatic experience for some. As such, we treat our students as adults first and do our very best to make the process as comfortable and easy as possible.
Galan: Do you have employment assistance services after graduation such as resume building and job placement?
Peterman: Yes, we offer these services. However, we don’t have a big request for these types of services as many of our students already have jobs—they are just looking to improve their skill set or make themselves more competitive in their market.
Galan: Are there quicker ways to make yourself more competitive in the job market i.e. certificate programs?
Peterman: I don’t recall the exact data, but I read somewhere that people change their jobs approximately 14 times throughout their lives. Since people change jobs so rapidly, they are looking for ways to specialize without completing an entire master’s degree. This is where certification programs are helpful. It gives people the extra push they need to effectively compete in their field. These certification program credits count toward a master’s degree should the student decide to return to school at some later point to complete a master’s program.
Galan: Do you have any additional advice for our readers?
Peterman: I think going back to school says a lot to an HR [human resources] department. It is an indication to an employer of a person’s persistence and desire to improve themselves in their field. It shows a person who is a life-long learner. In a competitive job market, it may be the one thing that separates out one applicant from another.
Going back to school or obtaining a certificate may not be the answer to changing your career, but it is a viable option. For people who are thinking about starting their own business, there are a plethora of options available. One of the best places to start is the Small Business Administration (SBA). This organization can help you ferret out the tools and resources to successfully launch your own company. Not only do they have practical answers, but they have a wonderful website that provides daily, useful feeds of advice. It is www.sba.gov.
However, no matter how you decide to approach changes in your career, there is one thing that you must have to succeed in any area of your life—it is a belief in yourself. I have used this quote many times before, but I think it embodies the most simplistic of truths. “If you think you can or you think you can’t, either way you are right.” –Henry Ford
Book List
• What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008: Practical Manual for Career-Changers
by Richard Nelson Bolles
• Your Career In Changing Times
by Larry Burkett & Lee Ellis
• How to Create a Picture of Your Ideal Job Or Next Career
by Richard Nelson Bolles
• Integrative Life Planning: Critical Tasks for Career Development and Changing Life Patterns
by Lorraine Sundal Hansen
| December Featured Stories |
|
|
|
|
|
