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Presentation: "Don't Use a Resume" based on the work
of Richard Lathrop. Career Fair, Vernon, BC |
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As Parker J. Palmer
says: "Let Your Life Speak". Is the work that you want to do
'just a job' or is it a response to a calling, a vocation? "True
vocation," Palmer says, joins self and service, as Frederick
Buechner asserts when he defines vocation as ‘the place where your
deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.’ |
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Informational
Interview - Career Practitioner
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1) |
Tell me about
your job. Is what you do different in any way from what others
in your occupation do?
There are many roles
within this industry. My work as a Career Practitioner
includes facilitating career decision-making programs, writing
my own curriculum, maintaining a website intended to help
participants both during and following their program, and
meeting with people individually to discuss occupational
choices. Continual learning fuels the enthusiasm I have for my
work/life. |
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2) |
Can you tell me
about your background and how you got into this field?
In my twenties, I participated in several career
decision-making programs curious about what type of
occupations might be a good match for me. My responses on a
Strong-Campbell Inventory revealed "Drama Coach" as the top
occupation. Because of the educational requirements, I set
that idea aside to learn about Interpersonal Skills, Group
Dynamics (at Douglas College), and Communication Skills
(at SFU) while working as a secretary.
By the time I
was 35, I wanted more from my employment choices. During my
writing of a thorough autobiography and while attending
Richard Nelson Bolles' Work/Life Planning Workshop, I
discovered I had a strong skill set in teaching, writing and
performing. However, most significant for me was the
realization of all the activities I had enjoyed throughout my
lifetime and the natural abilities I had. My epiphany was
that I had something to offer in spite of childhood traumas. I
experienced a calling to help the impoverished. With fear and
trepidation, I needed to work through many layers of social
anxiety. The topic of work/life planning was so fascinating
to me, I arranged with my family to undertake a sabbatical,
spending 60 hours a week for three months researching the
works of others recommended in Bolles' bibliography (What
Color Is Your Parachute?). I examined the work of the
greats like Bernard Haldane, John Crystal, John Holland,
Arthur Miller, Tom Jackson, Daniel Porot, Jerry Gillies,
Howard Figler and Carl Jung. My sabbatical was not just about
reading; it included actually doing the recommended
exercises.
I accepted a
job offer from a University College within three months of
completing my sabbatical, achieving remarkable retention
results. I also discussed my learning with employment
counsellors at CEIC (now Service Canada) and management at the Ministry
of Social Services and Housing (now the Ministry of Employment
& Income Assistance) to discuss ways in which I might help unemployed
people find satisfying work through the evaluation of their
life stories. Because participants returned to their
Employment Counsellors and Financial Workers with clearer
employment goals and excitement about possibilities, SC-funded
institutions and MEIA-funded organizations continued offering
contracts, as did private businesses.
Years later, I realized that
my work is that of a "Drama Coach" ... coaching people to see
their life dramas as treasures and incidental training of
talents.
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3) |
What personal
characteristics are required for someone to be successful in
your job?
Integrity, enthusiasm, professionalism, competency, humour,
initiative, and adaptability. |
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4) |
How much job
security is there for people in your field?
Jobs
as we have known them are disappearing, being replaced with
work contracts. Many career practitioners compete for
contracts offered by agencies who are successful in their bid
for funding from either the provincial or federal government.
Self-employment is increasing. |
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5) |
What other jobs
could you do with the skills you have gained in this field?
With
a Bachelor's Degree in Adult Education, a Provincial
Instructor's Diploma, a Cross-Cultural Counselling
Certificate, and MBTI Qualifications, I could work as a
trainer for corporations, as an educator for a community
college, and as a personal career consultant. Job titles
within this profession vary.
See more
... |
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6) |
How do you think
your job will change in the future?
The industry is working towards setting Standards and
Guidelines for practitioners; credentialing is a forced choice
reality. Mixed Mode learning environments will
increase, 'veterans' will mentor younger
practitioners, and practitioners will provide
service to an increasingly diverse population. Bilingualism
is an asset. |
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7) |
Are there many
opportunities in your field? What should people do to get
started?
Opportunities are as plentiful as one can imagine. To get
started I think people need to do that inner work, to evaluate
their lives. The results will provide clues on how to
maneuver through our industry. As Parker J. Palmer says:
"Let Your Life Speak". Is the work that you want to do "just
a job" or is it a response to a calling, a vocation? "True
vocation," Palmer says, joins self and service, as Frederick
Buechner asserts when he defines vocation as ‘the place where
your deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.’
I believe
Career Practitioners must continually evaluate themselves and
market their unique personality combination. For example,
people contribute to this field by writing proposals,
developing curriculum, facilitating, instructing, counselling,
interviewing (case management), and marketing. Some
practitioners work directly with the unemployed individual and
some work more directly with employers. Whatever the choice,
I believe Practitioners need to emulate enthusiasm in what
they do within an environment whose mission statement is a
good fit. (June 2007) |
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