Category: Career

Zina Kumok

I’ve always thought of society’s expected career path as a cruel joke.

At 18, we’re supposed to choose an industry to pursue for the rest of our lives. At this point, we begin racking up student loans that leave us financially crippled for the duration of our 20s.

I would barely trust my 18-year-old self to scramble an egg or drive me to the airport.

That’s the nature of our higher education system.

But it doesn’t have to be a prison sentence. Changing careers is never easy, but always worth it if you’re pursuing a happier and more fulfilling life.

Did you choose a career early on that just isn’t meshing with who you are today? Perhaps you want to make the best possible choice the first time around.

The good news is you can find a career you love, no matter where you’re at today. Here’s how:

Make a list of what you like.

First things first – Make a list of subjects you’re interested in. My list looks like this:

• Personal finance
• Arts and crafts markets
• Dogs
• Baking
• Teaching

I’ve always enjoyed those things. Once, during a moment of panic, I considered working as an artisan and selling my wares at a market. That lasted a few weeks until I realized: a) I didn’t want to wake up early and set up my goods while other people were still sleeping, and b) I just wasn’t very good at it.

I also thought about becoming a teacher. But going back to school and getting another degree didn’t appeal to my lazy nature. Are you sensing a theme here?

I like writing and teaching people about money. I also like doing it while wearing yoga pants. That’s why I’m a freelance writer.

Your own list might look completely different from mine – and completely different from your current career. If you don’t like what you’re doing right now, make a list and start putting more time into the things on it.

You probably shouldn’t quit your job right away. Start doing those things you’re passionate about on nights and weekends. See what you like and what you hate. See what makes you feel good and what bores you.

Keep doing it for a while. Meet people in the field and find a way to do it full-time. You can even keep your passion project as a part-time gig – one that keeps you motivated to get through the slog of your day job.

Sometimes a career you love is more about finding joy on the side than making it full-time.

Make a list of what you don’t like.

A friend of mine was an incredible journalist and one of the best writers I know. She was also an avid runner who competed on the track team in college. But when she got the opportunity to write for a runner’s magazine, she turned it down.

She told me later, “It should’ve been my dream job.”

The job was located in a small town in Pennsylvania. Living in the middle of nowhere, far from her friends and family, wasn’t something she wanted. Instead, she found a gig working for the NCAA magazine, where she gets to tell stories of athletes she’s passionate about.

Sometimes that dream job isn’t so dreamy once you look closely.

I don’t want to burst anyone’s “Lean In” bubble, but no one, women included, can have it all. You can’t have the corner office, a group of friends you see regularly and a thriving personal life. Sometimes, you have to choose.

That career you love is all about knowing the reality of what you might have to give up. You need to decide if it’s worth what you gain in return.

Make a list of deal-breakers, or anything that would make you seriously reconsider changing jobs or careers.

Is a long commute out of the question? Do you highly value privacy in the workplace? Maybe you’re more of a social butterfly who needs a thriving office environment?

Only you can decide what you’re willing to accept. Major life changes usually require a measuring of pros and cons: Make sure you’ve measured accurately.

Is there a right career?

Too often, people become more personally invested in their job and career than is necessary – or even healthy. A job isn’t a marriage, and you don’t have to devote yourself to it for the rest of your life.

It’s OK to change gigs. It’s even OK to leave an industry entirely to find a career you love.

What’s right for you as a 25-year-old might be different from what’s right as a 45-year-old. Your priorities can and will shift in that time, leaving you wondering why you signed on in the first place.

But there’s good news: if you’re reading this, you have plenty of time to explore.

I’ve already had three different careers in my life, and I haven’t hit 30 yet. When my mom was 33, she got her second master’s degree in accounting and began a new career. My father-in-law started a company from scratch at 40 in a city he hadn’t lived in for 20 years.

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself and find a career you love.

Don’t get so hung up on what the right career is for you right now.

Follow what you’re interested in, don’t let it disrupt the rest of your life, and earn enough to stay out of the poverty spiral. If you put some serious thought into it, you’ll end up following the right path.

Miranda Marquit

Are you already looking for your next job?

If you’re under the age of 32, there’s a good chance you are. After all, according to a recent survey from LinkedIn, the new normal is four jobs by the time you’re 32.

That’s almost double the rate of job change for Gen X.

I have a number of friends who are open to the next opportunity and looking to move beyond the job they’ve taken out of desperation.

When you’re ready to make a career change, there are skills you can’t take with you. Hard skills might not translate from one job or career to the next.

But you can develop soft skills that can help you almost anywhere you go, and no matter what you do.

Problem-solving.

One of the most translatable soft skills is problem-solving.

No matter where you work, or what your position is, problem-solving is always in demand. The ability to identify issues and find solutions is one that helps in work and life.

Creativity in problem-solving will get you even further in whatever work you do. Someone with the ability to see things from a different angle, or find a solution that others couldn’t see, has the potential to go a long way in any profession.

Organization.

We don’t often think of organization as a skill. However, it’s on of the soft skills that can set you apart from others.

It’s not just about keeping a neat and orderly desk, either. Being organized is about seeing connections and being able to manage logistics.

Can you keep track of different moving parts and put them in an order that makes sense? Do you know which team members are best suited for different tasks?

If you have good organizational skills, you are more likely to to be of value as a manager, or fulfill other important responsibilities where such talents are needed.

Adaptability.

We live in a world that changes quickly. Technology advances at an increasingly rapid rate. Social conditions change. Work conditions change. Everyone is scrambling to keep up.

One of the most valuable soft skills today is an ability to adapt. Adaptability allows you to quickly conform to a new situation. It also means you can take on different responsibilities and manage different personalities.

Adaptability, and its related skill, resiliency, can help you approach any situation and turn it to good account. Think fast on your feet, make the most of anything, and your co-workers and bosses will notice.

Writing.

Thanks to the Internet, writing skills are increasingly important. The ability to craft a well-written tweet or Facebook post can help you get ahead.

Not only that, but writing is one of those soft skills that can be used in almost any profession. If you can write white papers, put together an internal memo, or create easy-to-understand emails, you can make yourself useful.

Consider taking a basic writing course. You don’t need a degree in writing. A little reminder of the fundamentals and some practice can take your writing to the next level and set you apart from others.

Presentation skills.

Don’t forget about your ability to present. Your comfort level in front of others can make a difference.

Do you want to be the go-to person for presentations to clients and potential partners? Brush up the way you make presentations.

Your presentation skills can also influence your ability to be more effective in your job. Good presentation skills include the ability to communicate your ideas. When you can effectively share your vision, you’re more likely to be applauded and taken seriously.

You can put your presentation skills to good use on behalf of your bosses, or as a way to be more effective in general. No matter how you do it, presentation means a lot.

Good work ethic.

Talent isn’t everything. Sure it can open some doors and give you a good start.

However, hard work can often make up for a lack of talent.

A good work ethic is one of the soft skills that just about everyone admires. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, working hard enhances your reputation.

Hard work gets you through even when other soft skills aren’t enough. Hard work added to just about everything leads to a greater chance of success.

Plus, when you show you can work hard, people see that you are willing to do what it takes to succeed.

While you eventually want to shift to working smarter and taking advantage of your talents, hard work can get your foot in the door and help you establish a good relationship with those around you.

Interpersonal skills.

There are no soft skills softer than interpersonal skills. The way you interact with people can make a huge difference in your success at work — and in life.

Sometimes it’s difficult to deal with other people, but developing that skill can take you a long way. As an introvert with ADD, I’ve worked hard to develop some people skills.

I still struggle, and it’s really hard work for me to filter and be sociable sometimes. But I do my best, and I find that these interpersonal skills have opened more doors for me than almost anything else.

Some of the best interpersonal skills to work on include:

• Listening
• Managing your body language
• Learning to read others’ body language
• Assertiveness
• Speaking with clarity

You might be surprised at far you can get with good interpersonal skills. You’ll get along with co-workers and bosses better, you’ll be seen as a positive influence, and you might even be pegged as a leader.

Don’t neglect your soft skills as you prepare for a career. No matter your job, or your future plans, work on the skills that can help you where you go.

Zina Kumok

When I graduated from college, I was lucky enough to find work with a newspaper.

I wasn’t supposed to be picky about it. I hated my first job, but it was only until I left that I realized I learned a lot of things about myself while I was there.

Not every job will be your favorite, but there are tons of things you can learn about yourself and what you need while you’re there. The worst experience can teach you more about yourself in a year than you’d learn anywhere else.

Here are the five best things I learned from my first job, and why I’m still grateful for that opportunity.

I learned to pay my dues.

Like every newspaper, we were open during the holidays. Reporters signed up for holiday assignments on a first-come, first-served basis. The longest-standing reporter got his or her first pick, then the second-oldest reporter got to choose and so on. Since I was the newest staff member, I had to work whatever holiday was left: Thanksgiving.

The longest-standing reporter got his or her first pick, then the second-oldest reporter got to choose and so on. Since I was the newest staff member, I had to work whatever holiday was left: Thanksgiving.

I remember being crushed that I wouldn’t be able to spend Thanksgiving day with my family. I drove down to my boyfriend’s family’s Thanksgiving at 10 p.m. and left early the next day.

That Thanksgiving was hard, but it taught me that I wasn’t special or entitled. I wouldn’t get any special privileges, and I had to put in the time and effort to get the benefits I wanted.

I learned to trust my gut.

Before I got my first job, I was hesitant about entering the newspaper business. I knew I was more interested in magazines, but those jobs were scarce. I figured I was better off taking the first job offer I got instead of holding out for a magazine gig.

As soon as I got there, I realized I’d made a huge mistake.

Anyone who’s had a job knows that the first day is mainly filled with HR paperwork and meeting new people. The first day is the best. No one expects you to do any real work, your new boss usually buys you lunch, and you can head home early.

None of those things happened my first day. That’s how I knew I was screwed. I couldn’t even enjoy that first day. After that, I learned to trust my gut more instead of making the rational choice.

I learned what I wanted out of a job.

Before I started my first job, I thought I wanted to work a regular 9-to-5 schedule like everyone else. But that job solidified those feelings for me.

At first, I worked 9-to-5 with occasional weekend or holiday assignments. After a few months, our night cops reporter left, and my editor asked if I could take over his shift. I started working from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Suddenly, my social calendar was ruined, since none of my coworkers and friends worked in the evenings. I was also driving every Friday to see my boyfriend, who lived three hours away. Now that my workday ended at 10 p.m., I got into his city at 1 a.m.

I hated working when everyone else wasn’t. Even when I wanted to call my parents back home, I had to do it while they were at work or wait until my break.

Working nights made me averse to working any sort of unusual schedule. During my next job search, I only sought positions where weekend or night work was minimal.

I learned to find something I care about.

During my newspaper gig, I reported on fires, car accidents, and the occasional murder. Most of the stories were similar, and I could find few ways to differentiate between one car accident and the next.

At the time, I was getting more interested in being frugal and saving money. I convinced my boss to let me start a blog chronicling my money-saving tips. It was the highlight of my day, and I continued blogging about money when I left.

Even in a job that I hated at times, I learned how to carve out a little piece of it that I loved.

I learned I wanted more autonomy.

As a young reporter, I had little say on what stories I wrote. The editors made the assignments, and I followed through. This is standard at most newspapers. I’m sure even a young Woodward and Bernstein weren’t telling their editor what they wanted to write about.

Before that job, I didn’t think of myself as a self-starter. But I quickly learned that I wanted to be in charge of my day. In my next gig, I had more responsibilities and could tell my bosses what I thought we should be doing. I loved having that type of independence.

Now that I’m a full-time freelance writer, I get to direct how my day goes. And I love it.

Don’t assume that you can’t learn something from your first job, even if it’s something you hate. Take every job as a learning opportunity and you’ll be more successful down the road.

John Schneider

Sometimes your present job sucks.

It’s even worse when, at present, there are no options to escape it.

Perhaps there are family or income needs, or some unique, unidentifiable need. Whatever the case, occasionally we must suck it up and deal with the suck.

I’ve been in this situation. Survival techniques are required when you absolutely hate your job.

1. Listen to Lisa.

I love listening to inspirational speakers on podcasts, YouTube, and anywhere else I can find them. My favorite inspirational speaker, or “transformational life coach” as she calls herself, is Lisa Nichols. She and I will be friends one day. In the meantime, we’ll be friends through modern technology.

When my job was a means to an end and not a goal, a quote of hers helped me. “Your job is your investor,” she said in my ear.

When my W-2 job was paying the bills while I side-hustled on my own, this quote got me through 12-hour days, needless conference calls, and gossiping coworkers.

2. Get physical.

This is last thing you want to read when all you want is a stiff drink, but this is science and the science is settled. Adopt regular and vigorous exercise because exercise releases neurohormones like norepinephrine and vasopressin that reduce stress and improves mood.

When you feel the need to punch your boss in the face, punch a punching bag. When you must give your colleague a swift kick in the ass, go kickboxing. When you feel like running away from it all, run around the block.

3. Get lost in a book.

Nothing beats getting lost in a book. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day during a lunch break or before bed, get lost in a book. A University of Sussex study showed that reading books can reduce stress levels by as much as 68%. This applies even when you hate your job.

Like hips, Brits don’t lie.

4. Get away.

There’s no better way to get away than to actually get away (sorry Calgon). If your wallet and calendar can afford it, go on a week vacation to the beach or Europe. If life doesn’t presently afford you such luxuries, take a long weekend within driving distance of your home.

If that’s too much, make your home your refuge. Try a week without clocks, TV and social media while at home. Read, listen to music, journal, meditate, play games, or take a bubble bath (maybe Calgon is onto something) or do anything to get a mental vacation.

5. Apply for jobs

Martin Luther King said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” The best way to have hope is to make hope.

When you hate your job and want or need to get away, find a place to go even if it’s only aspirational. You never know, the job of your nightmares may lead to the job your dreams.

6. Update your LinkedIn profile and link up

Instead of (or along with) applying for new jobs, update and improve your LinkedIn profile. Rather than search for long lost loves on Facebook, connect with the up-and-coming or arrived influencers on LinkedIn. You’ll be surprised how easy you can make connections and one or two of them may help you move to a better and brighter future.

7. Give your non-work life meaning.

Some people live to work and others work to live. If your job isn’t an investment in your future, make it an investment in the present.

Embrace off-hour-life to the fullest. Make your job secondary to everything else. Spend time with friends and family. Volunteer with charities. Get involved in your community. When you find a passion, you find a reason to hang in there.

8. Pick up a hobby.

The idea is to get lost in something and hobbies are a great way to get lost. I love adult coloring books. They’re simple and distracting.

The world is your oyster with hobbies. Try crocheting, wood-working, antiquing, arts and crafts, or any repetitive or simple activity to helps you take your mind off your job and the stress off your back.

9. Practice gratitude.

What we focus on expands. If you’re consumed with how much you hate your job, it’ll get worse.

Practice gratitude for what you have. It’s true that once you do, the good gets great. You may be surprised one day when you like your job and are no longer hanging by a thread.

10. Binge-watch TV.

Recommending reading a book to some is like giving them orange juice after brushing their teeth. We’re looking for survival not impressing your English literature professor.

If your only solace is binge watching Netflix, embrace it without shame. Find a TV series in your genre of choice and get out of your world and into someone else’s.

11. Have a good drink.

Chances are, the last thing you want to read is that “regular and vigorous exercise releases neurohormones like norepinephrine and vasopressin that reduce stress and improves mood.” All you want is a stiff drink. have a stiff drink. Make it worthwhile and have a quality glass of wine or beer and enjoy the craft of good fermentation.

So, have a stiff drink. Make it worthwhile and have a quality glass of wine or beer and enjoy the craft of good fermentation.

12. Have an even better meal.

These last two go together like steak and wine. If you’re having a good glass of wine or beer, pair it with the foods with which the gods meant them to pair. A quality meal with great conversation and amazing friends may be the only escape you need to get you through another week of the daily grind.