CareerTalk
January 2009 - No time to suspend career dreams - a recession-proof strategy!
Nothing like a little stock market crash, real-estate downturn and corresponding
media frenzy to set the bravest hearts aflutter. Pursuing an authentic career is never
easy … especially when it means shutting out the 'voices of reason' to connect with your
own heart-felt identity.
But in today's climate the alarms are blaring - rising unemployment is real. No surprise that many young professionals are tempted to 'hang on' to any job … and just
ride it out.
How then to resist panic and stay positive as you regroup. And, while you're at it - how to
reposition yourself for the eventual economic recovery. Meet Alex.
A gifted communicator with a talent for putting people at ease, Alex had a business degree
and a budding career in finance. He worked in a large bank - managing 5 junior advisors along
with his own elite clientele (international foundations). In a booming economy Alex and his
team were 'geared for growth'. And then everything changed!
The world economy jolted, the bank shifted into restructuring mode … and Alex was 'promoted'
to help expedite the downsizing and staff lay-offs. Two weeks later, he knew he couldn't do
it.
When he came to me as a client, Alex was discouraged - torn between the anxiety of laying
off loyal staff and the sense that only he could cushion the blow. Once an enthusiastic team
leader, he was losing heart, popping anti-depressants … and he couldn't see a way out. He
wanted options and a plan.
Our initial discussion exposed an 'accidental' career path with detours along the way.
The business degree had pacified family … but Alex had never really 'fit' the culture.
He'd inherited his grandfather's love of agriculture and developed a fascination for
farming practices around the world.
After graduation he'd travelled to Cuba, Africa and Asia and learned about subsistence
farming …. and the politics of hunger and famine. He'd helped a friend rebuild (& re-mortgage)
his Okanagan vineyard … and ended up working for the bank that carried the financing.
It was a win-win situation. Alex loved working with innovative young farmers - finding new
niches and 21st century business models. The bank welcomed a new type of client ... and
started to groom Alex for more responsibility.
A promotion to Vancouver, culture shock and a new dizzying pace. It was all exhilarating
and Alex had risen to the challenge.
Thinking back, though, it wasn't just the pressure and the pace. Long before the
downsizing, Alex had been feeling disconnected. Coddling special clients, pushing higher
sales quotas - he'd wondered what he was really contributing.
It was a good starting point. Alex was a consummate authenticity seeker. He needed his
life (& career) to be 'meaningful' and to do good in the world. Values that had once
propelled him to travel and study had somehow been lost. And certainly the problems of
world food supply and agricultural economics seemed worlds away from banking.
The Results
Our conversations and assessments confirmed that Alex was intrigued by and well-suited
to the challenges of macro-economics. A week of intense research defined a complex web of
career niches in government, academia, and international organisations- all a little
daunting and seemingly impractical in uncertain times.
And yet … here were people and organisations actually working with ideas he'd dreamed
of - combining economics, agriculture and politics … helping to influence results. Alex was
excited but sceptical - not at all sure about leaping into a bigger pond. He needed role
models and people to talk to.
More research - video clips on Charlie Rose (a TV interview show with world leaders)
introduced the World Economic Forum … and a list of leading thinkers in the field. Local
professional associations provided connections to economists working out of Vancouver
(& Ottawa) for national/international groups. They were welcoming and generous with their
time and advice … and Alex was starting to feel comfortable with these people and this
culture. The window was widening.
By the time we met to review his interviews and research, Alex was ready to map the path
ahead. He'd been advised (almost counter-intuitively) that now was the perfect time to go
back to school. His partner was happy in her nursing career and they were debt-free.
Scholarships and related part time work were available … and if he chose his programs
wisely, he might emerge with a doctorate in economics and an invaluable career
network … just as the world economy sputtered back to life. He'd be 36!
|
