I have been on a journey since being made unemployed by Covid in the Spring. The ideal destination in my mind is a "Portfolio Career", or the flexibility to do several things or have multiple sources of income. It was something I had considered but remained focused on contacting existing businesses I am attracted to with the goal of seeking part-time (preferable) or full-time (would live with it if I liked the business) work. My focus on freelancing would come after this. However, my meeting with this former curmudgeon, now relaxed business owner changed my outlook.
Jim Malone
COVID and Career Change Ep. 3
I just completed reading Herminia Ibarra's book Working Identity and a lot of the themes and theories she described resonated. Many of the stories as well. One individual couldn't quite eliminate the option of going back to similar work during his transition, but was motivated by wanting something different. This individual divides ideas into conformist and nonconformist roles, reaching out to company's he admires about the possibility for freelance work. I have taken a similar approach as I evaluate my options.
COVID and Career Change Ep. 2
The hardest thing to do is keep those voices of doubt outside your mind. Who am I kidding - changing careers at my age? How will I convince anyone to pay me? Will I be able to earn enough money? Why don't I just go back to what I know - it might take some time, but at least I can step in and earn decent money. These thoughts are escalated by the uncertainty provided by the COVID-19 response, or if you are me, having a young family. For clarity, my preferred path is what is being called today a "portfolio career". Not just a single 9 to 5 job with benefits. The name of the game is flexibility, quasi-entrepreneurship and doing things I like. Sounds great but when you start to dig into it, it is really scary.
Career Change After COVID-19
One of our associates was made redundant during the lock-down period. It doesn't matter to them how this happened or came about, what matters is the future. At an age that in prior generations would have been thought impossible, they are undergoing the process of considering a career change. They will make this attempt. We will provide a space for them to share their journey on a bi-weekly basis.
10 Years and a World That no Longer Makes Sense
I have been waiting patiently for 10 years for the markets to make sense again. In fact, things that once made sense to me no longer do. Democrats used to be against wars. Wikileaks was a liberal's wetdream. Men and women seemed to generally like each other. America needed to get out of the Middle East. The Cold War was dead. People should socialise and not watch so much tv.
A Journey – Part 2: Creating a new path
This is the path less chosen. It is fraught with uncertainty. It comes with dire warnings from your friends and family. It can cause great stress in your life at times. Yet it is the path that leaves you feeling more fulfilled.
A Journey – Part 1: Following the Path in Front of Me
Along our journey in life, we can choose the path that is put in front of us. The alternative is to take a path and then begin to dig a new path in a different direction. Taking the path that is laid out before us is the least risky, the safe alternative. It is a path largely directed by those before us, not by the individual.
Jobs from Hell
In the neighbourhood I grew up in it was common to get a part time job as early as the age of 14. It was actually common throughout my home country and many parents forced their kids to do it, typically middle-class families. Rich kids don’t have to. I started a humiliating career of part time jobs in the 9th grade, but they provided great lessons and motivations that would shape my future world future.
The first job was at McDonald’s. I was useless. I think the hiring manager must have known that, for it was only when my girlfriend’s sister intervened did he give me a job. I was always put on the meat or frying station. They once tried me in the front but realized my cold demeanour did not make me suitable for customer service. So they hid me in the back.
Siloviki 