On Career Counseling

An answer to that annoying little question: "What do I do with my life?"

Early on in life, most of us had some idea of what we wanted to become as an adult.  Sure it may have started out as Ninja or Fire Truck, but all too soon we realize the impracticality in real-world application.  Though abandonment of such career choices is common, those basic interests tend to stay simmering in our conscience.   Unfortunately, many people are dissuaded from chasing their dreams because someone with “real life” experience informed them that: “There’s no money in being a Ninja!”   

The purpose of this article is to say, NUTS to those buzz kills!  There is plenty of opportunity out there for people with Ninja skills and/or interests!  Don’t let someone with “real life experience” and even more “real life bitterness” damper your spirits.   I propose a simple template for successfully following your dreams.  No matter what your interest or dream is, it IS possible!   However, you had best be prepared to think outside the box, compromise, plan thoroughly, work hard and fail.  Yes, you may fail many times.  That’s life, get used to it and soldier on!

If you’re like me you listened to the speech of your high school valedictorian as he or she spewed motivation and empowerment like a George C. Scott film and thought, “YES!  I WILL BE VICTORIOUS!”  Or … You may have been more pessimistic or mature, as they call it these days, and thought:  “Well poop, now I have to actually work for my education…  And my meals… “  The truth, as you know or will soon find out, is closer to the latter opinion.

 I was privileged enough to attend a private school where the 12^th grade graduation rate was 100%.  Nearly all of my classmates were accepted to and attended college.  Our society would have you believe that such privileged youth would be collecting a six figure salary in four years or less.  In fact, if you were to visit an inner city school you would likely see a poster similar to the one below, conveying that message all over the campus.  

I taught briefly in such a school, where several of these graphs were displayed.  My personal favorite looked something like this:

One of the first things you should notice when you arrive at your college campus is the lack of Bat-mobiles in the parking lot.  I attended several colleges and saw very few cars that I would consider a “dream car”; in fact, all my hopes were dashed when my Philosophy professor drove up in his Daewoo!   What’s a Daewoo, you ask?  Exactly! 

I left high school with a life plan that went something like this: Go to college, Join the military, become an archaeologist.  The answer to your question is, yes I want to be Indiana Jones.  My problem was that I planned no further and made the mistake of allowing college advisers to make my school schedule and degree plan.  There are two things you MUST understand before going to college:

1.       College credit cards and loans are NOT free.

2.       College advisers, unless they are a professor in the field that you wish to pursue, are total hacks that shouldn't even be allowed to advise you on which color toothbrush to choose, let alone a degree plan…

I took more classes than I needed, plunged further into student loan debt and came no closer to achieving my professional goals.  It turns out that you can’t simply walk onto a college campus and say, “I want to be a Spec-ops trained archaeologist. “  There are prerequisites and other factors that need to be considered before choosing when and where to get your education. 

If I had to do it all over again, I would have attended an ROTC program or military school to earn an officer’s commission in the branch of my choice.  The military will gladly pay for, or reimburse you for, your education expenses.  I would have applied for the plethora of undergraduate scholarships and accredited archaeology internships that are seasonally available. I would have joined groups, clubs and organizations that promote or support the field of archaeology.  I would have networked with archaeologists and older students for tips and career advice.   If only I’d of thought of any of the above, on my own, or had someone told me, I would have saved myself a lot of time and heartache.

As it stands, I am content in a career field that I had previously never heard of but find challenging. I believe my current career will someday support my education. Although I’ve had to alter my course, I do plan to fulfill my dream of becoming a deadly but brilliant archaeologist!  I will never give up on my dream and you shouldn't either.  Look at your life plan as a three legged journey.  No leg tying or crippled horse puns here, just answer the questions; 

First leg: Answer the following,

1.       Decide your primary interest, what drives you?  

2.       Do you have a career in mind?

3.       Do you know the requirements?

Second leg: Answer the following,

1.       Can you begin on the pre-requisites now?  

2.       Have you thoroughly researched that field?

3.       Have you discussed your interest with anyone in that field?

Third leg: Answer the following,

1.       Have you joined any field related organizations?  

2.       Have you researched opportunities in that field?

3.       Have you applied for scholarships, internships or related jobs?

I know this is a simple example, perhaps you’re reading this and thinking:  “Thanks but, have you ever tried to find a Ninja or join a Ninja related organization!?”  Short answer, YES! But I’ll save that story for another blog…  Some people out there either have NO idea as to what they want to do and others have something in mind that has very little “real-world” application.  Buck up Ninja boy, this last part is for you. 

No matter how dull a person is, we all have something that interests us.  Al Gore was a dull, foundering politician.  He had more hot air than he knew what to do with but without him we wouldn't have global warming!  There is a use for your interests, no matter how ridiculous they may be.   Perhaps you love the outdoors?  There is more to realizing that dream than selling camping gear and or being homeless!  There are actually tree doctors and other arbor science jobs, Parks and Wildlife jobs, game wardens, rangers, and let’s not forget that entrepreneurs  think of new things in that field all the time. (The last part can be said of ANYTHING)  Find your interests or an interest and take the journey I mentioned above.

 There are no tricks or gimmicks out there to make your dreams come true.  Hard work and perseverance are your best hope, trust to luck if you wish but I've found Fortuna to be a cruel mistress.   I prefer to fight for what I want in life and I encourage everyone else to do the same.  Take what you can learn from both good and bad advice, (i.e. this blog).  Always do your own research and never base your life’s plan solely on someone else's opinion(s).