My son interviewed me for his career education
class.
He asked me 16 questions about my career. Things like:
- What opportunities for advancement are there in this field?
- What special advice would you give a person entering this field?
- What types of training do companies offer people entering this field?
What field?
Am I a consultant, a small business owner, or a
partner? Should I say I’m in publishing
or information management? Am I part
marketer, business manager, product developer, and innovator? Yes.
I’m a little of everything and ALL of
nothing.
(I could see the angst on his face.)
Next – opportunities for advancement. Well, they’re limitless. They’re whatever I make them. I’m not “rising up a corporate ladder.” I’m creating my own path.
(I got him some Tylenol.)
What special advice could I give (finally one I
could answer!)?
Treat people with respect. Do as much as you can as often as you can
(that’s how you learn). Keep looking for
what’s next.
(I thought I was being very profound. He just asked me to speak more slowly.)
What types of training do companies offer people
in this field? They’re kidding,
right?
Poor little buggers are going to be awfully
disappointed when they hit the real world and figure out their life is their
training class and their choices are their teachers!
(Mom, just answer the question P-L-E-A-S-E!)
Times may have changed, but in career education
class it’s much easier when your parent is a butcher, a baker, a fireman, a
writer – a something.
Adam swore that if he ever did this again he would
interview my husband.
He’s a musician.
It’s funny – I think your lovely, and much appreciated description, highlights the point beautifully.
In career education things are very concrete – yet in career “life” they aren’t always (and becoming less concrete all the time). I wonder what value schools put on passion, change, and creative thinking as components of a “successful” career.
Luckily, my son does put a value on them at home and in conversation – but in school he’s just trying to get the right answer.
Thanks, Phil, I really appreciate your response!
Ann – if I may, I’d like to answer this question for you.
What is Ann Michael: Ann is an agent for change that helps people unleash their inner power through personal leadership and empowerment. She does this through her words, both written and spoken, and by helping others find their words. She gives all she has in this pursuit and does so gladly, for it is her passion.
That’s who Ann Michael is to me. Maybe that will help your son understand Mom more.
Roger –
The funniest part was that he wanted to bring something in to school that was critical to me doing my job. I told him he wasn’t getting my computer or my Blackberry.
Liz suggested I give him an old plane ticket!
That would have worked!
Ann
Your story shows one of the reasons why I hate cocktail parties: they’re like “job interviews with drinks.”
In years past, I always had a challenging time describing to strangers what I did in 30 or 40 seconds. (One of the joys of working for yourself!)