Comments on: Evolution

By: Enduring Truths for Careers and Job Search | Career Management Alliance Blog

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:32:16 +0000

[...] blog posts seemed to generate the most comments – people saying they felt the same way! In "Evolution" Jason relates how his career has taken a different path than he had imagined or planned for. He [...]

By: Curtis Chambers

Curtis Chambers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:49:31 +0000

You know the saying, “the best laid plans of mice and men…”

In business school and academics, planning is put on a pedestal. In the real world, out in the field so to speak, it is not always going to match an academic plan.

And yet I do believe there is value in planning. It is a matter of balance, which is difficult to find and also planning is an ongoing process.

By: Mary Rosenbaum

Mary Rosenbaum — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:43:35 +0000

Jason – The best thing about interesting career paths is that they are not linear. What they are is a combination of all the experiences you have had coupled with the needs and wants you have developed. It’s great that you had the opportunity (although not necessarily by choice) to explore options that you would not have otherwise tried. Our greatest growth occurs when we take chances, but they have to be calculated ones. And obviously in your case they were. Congratulations and keep on changing.

By: Jason Alba

Jason Alba — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:05:12 +0000

Hey, great conversation – thanks for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts

@Scot, you ask: “if someone five years ago would have told you that you would do what you have in your blog post, wouldn’t you have laughed in their face?”

I would have replied that I was too focused on my core business, which was JJ signups, upgrades, etc. But as I’ve seen the market move and change, and as I’ve found excess capacity in my own time, I realized there are other opportunities…

I do think that if someone would have said that I wouldn’t have believed it (even if I would have wanted it to be true )

By: Julie Walraven

Julie Walraven — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:46:09 +0000

Funny, Jason, when I woke up this morning I was thinking the same thing. My life has changed dramatically and the tools I use daily have changed completely from a year ago. I was at a Chamber luncheon this noon where the topic was “Embracing the Digital Marketing Age” and as I was listening, I was very familiar with the tools, the usage, and the potential. But a year ago, I’d of said “what?”

I think every person has to be ready to evolve and change in order to be effective in the future. If we think that we are done, we will be. If I could teach my clients anything, it would be to continue to evolve and be open to change.

By: Scot Herrick

Scot Herrick — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:32:48 +0000

This is why I hate this interview question: What do you see yourself doing five years from now? The only honest answer to that is “I have no clue, but I will evolve.” But that isn’t the answer the hiring manager wants to hear.

So, Jason, if someone five years ago would have told you that you would do what you have in your blog post, wouldn’t you have laughed in their face?

All we can do is continue to work on our skills, perform well, be open to opportunities and be willing to take a risk. All the rest is an illusion.

By: Gary Alan Miller

Gary Alan Miller — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:48:22 +0000

Jason, that’s a perfect example of “planned happenstance,” I’d say!

I talk to my students about this all the time, and it’s especially difficult for type-a/gen-y folks. People who are naturally planners and who like to have their ducks in a row are uncomfortable with the idea that things change. Not only must they change, it’s actually good to be open to that change. Otherwise, you might miss some really great opportunities.

I’m intrigued by the “chaos theory of careers.” http://vocationalpsychology.com/term_chaos.htm I think there are some real kernels of truth in there.

By: Susan Guarneri

Susan Guarneri — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:45:28 +0000

Really interesting thoughts about your career journey Jason. Given the ever-escalating pace of change in the world, I think it has become more difficult than ever to think about how a career might manifest itself more than 5 years into the future. Ten years ahead is practically a whole new world!

Perhaps the better approach is to clearly identify your existing “career assets”, such as motivated skills, natural abilities, industry knowledge, work experience, education and training, passions and interests, personality type, values, avocational knowledge and experience, personal branding, and personal development goals so they can be aligned with whatever new career fields or industries that might emerge.

In other words, career development 2.0 starts with knowing yourself well and parlaying your career assets into the best situation possible for YOU. Does that require in-depth self-assessment? Yes, as well as feedback from others who know you well (they will likely bring a different perspective about you to the table).

Most of all, it requires keeping up with the world of work, new careers and industries, and where the pulse of the nation is going so you can be on the leading edge of change rather than bringing up the rear. Jobs on the leading edge will be easier to land if you are qualified, deeply interested, proactive in your search, and can express your unique value proposition convincingly.