What Do We Mean By Career Part 1?
Let’s define what we mean by career
Career pathways take many different forms – and none of these is necessarily better than any others. It depends on which one works best for you. Recognising the significance of your own choices in the past is useful in guiding your thinking on new opportunities
The work of career expert Michael Driver distinguishes 4 main career patterns from which people tend to choose. The people below are examples of the different patterns:
Which of these patterns best fits you?
What does that tell you about your next career choice?
Horizontal Andrew 40 years old:
“I’ve never had a job for more than 2 years, I get bored. I don’t always leave for more money, sometimes I’ve earned less but I’ve learned interesting new things and met some interesting people. I don’t suppose I’ll ever change now. Some people reckon my jobs are dead end jobs but I reckon some of those who spend all their lives working their way up are half dead by the time they get there”.
Steady Jean 30 years old:
“I’ve always wanted to be a nurse; even before I went to school I had a nurse’s uniform. It would be nice to make Sister but I’ not really bothered. I’d hate to be a Matron all that book work and responsibility and you don’t have the same relationships with the patients. I’ll do this until they kick me out”.
Vertical Jerry 55 years old:
I always wanted a good job with prospects. I’ve always been ambitious and I’ve done pretty well. I had to swap firms a bit in my 30’s and 40’s to get the right experience but each one moved me up a rung or two. I like the responsibility I like making decisions.
Cyclical Tom 49 years old:
“I really like to get involved in what I’m doing, but I like learning new things I made a vow to myself in my 20’s that no matter how well I was doing every 5 years or so I’d take a long hard look and see if it was still exciting me. If not I change I’ve changed occupations 3 times now and don’t regret any of them. I hope to do a couple of more changes before I stop working “.
Read again and reflect on these two questions
Which of the above patterns best fits you?
What does that tell you about your future career choices?
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