My dad worked for the same company with the same job title for 37 years. He worked for the Nabisco Co. in Buffalo, a mechanic on an assembly line that made dog biscuits. It was not a glamorous job, but when the machinery went down my dad’s skills were appreciated.
“Bill, get this thing running. I’ve got people sitting on their hands doing nothing.”
My dad’s career path is no longer the norm. The stable economy we once enjoyed is gone. We must all prepare for the inevitable changes that are around the corner. Before you get too discouraged, I want to share the experiences of a good friend who has weathered a few storms but has ended up in a pretty good place.
His high school achievements were below average. He was rejected by community colleges and attended night school before he was finally accepted as a full-time student. It took him three years to complete a two-year program. He eventually obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business management. Over the next 25 years he acquired experience as a graphic artist, business teacher, professional recruiter, musician, human resource manager and now a writer.
You may be surprised to hear that what I’ve described is my own journey. My story leaves some people thinking I can’t hold down a full-time job, while others are impressed by my ambition to take a risk and try something new. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
I speak with dozens of people who are discouraged because they haven’t found a job they truly enjoy and they continue to jump from one employer to the next looking for that golden ring. Here’s my advice for anyone who feels discouraged and is stuck in a job they don’t enjoy.
I agree with those who say, “The joy is in the journey, not the destination.” I visited a friend who is a school superintendent … to my surprise, he was unhappy about his future. Here I was job-hopping all over the place and my idol was unhappy with what appeared to be an extremely successful career. He said he was tired of education and was jealous of my diverse experience in many different careers. I was embarrassed that I couldn’t find the best fit for my skills, and Vince was frustrated because he was stuck. He was proud of what he accomplished, but it was time to make a change.
The image of a career with no hiccups is not realistic — and I’m not even sure it’s desirable. Appearances can be deceiving, and Vince is a prime example. If you dread getting out of bed Monday morning, you’re not alone. Change can be a good thing, but it’s not a decision you should make quickly. There’s a right way and wrong way.
The challenge is to find a healthy balance between excessive job-hopping and making a career change that will lead to a job you’ll enjoy. Job-hopping is often the result of personal conflicts with a boss or co-worker. Never allow your emotions to be the primary rationale to change jobs. It is always better to run to something, not away from something. If you leave for the wrong reasons, it could be a big mistake.
As parents we warn our children that life will have its ups and downs. What counts is how we respond and recover. Trying to plan a successful career is exactly that. Few people get to enjoy a stress-free career path and live happily ever after. Will there be bumps in the road? You can count on it. Your interests will change, employers’ needs will change and the job market will change. What counts is how you respond in your search for a satisfying life-long career.
Bill Kaminski is president of Stone Associates Training. He is an HR consultant with 35 years of experience in the employment field, teaching managers the art of hiring great employees. Bill is also an adjunct instructor at Keuka College. You can contact Bill with questions, suggestions or comments at www.bill@stoneassociatestraining.com.
