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a book review by Jackie Damrau, Lone Star Chapter
Authors: Annabelle Reitman and Caitlin Williams
ASTD Press (ISBN: 1-56286-290-1)
For people considering making a career move in their profession, these two authors provide an interesting perspective for taking the "bull by the horns" and looking introspectively for answers. Although the book is written for an HRD, training, and workplace learning and performance audience, it is beneficial to anyone in any profession. The book has many worksheets and questions that inspire thought processes that aid in answering the basic questions:
Notice the "I's"! We are our own worst enemies when it comes to making decisions about our careers. The techniques, questions, and worksheets that the authors provide in this book can also apply to our personal lives. The bottom line is, "We must create the path, drive the vehicle down the path, and reach the ultimate end of the path to see the beautiful scenery of a fairly free stressful life (both professionally and personally)." If we do not, then we are fooling ourselves.
The authors break the book into two major sections. The first section covers the trends for meeting worklife challenges in the 21st century:
Stepping out of the comfort zone is a difficult human task. As long as we are not willing to take a risk, we will continue to attempt to stay out of management's sight. This thinking will not save us from job elimination or reductions-in-force that occur every day. By stepping out, though, with the bold statement, "I know who I am and will do what it takes to get to the next step," we put one foot on the path to creating our own success.
The second section of the book covers preparing, creating, and building a career path. This career path may simply be the enhancement of an existing professional career, like HRD, or it may be the creation of a completely new career.
New careers may mean leaving the public or private corporate environment and launching an entrepreneurial or consultant position (commonly known as "becoming your own boss"). Many people have the initiative, the drive, and the backing to step out and make it happen; others are leery of that step.
The comfort of the public/private corporate environment is more enticing and, in some cases, offers better job security for the short-term future of individual and family units.
This section continues with an excellent chapter on volunteering and professional development, then concludes with tips on how to effectively market your professional strengths through a résumé, a business card, or full marketing program.
From an organizational change or development view, this book is an excellent managerial resource. It provides insight on how to coach your workforce in seeing its current potential, and how to take the next step of envisioning future potential.
In many corporations today, training often receives the first budgetary cuts. If your training budget has been cut, how can your workforce gain the requisite training to improve on what they offer to stakeholders? The simple answer is to look within your own workforce. Convene a brown bag session (working lunch) where you invite a team member, or someone within the company who has knowledge on a particular area/software/product, to present to those who want to attend.
Sharing knowledge in this way improves on presentation skills, public speaking skills, networking, and may "turn on the lights" for others who want to share what they know or have learned. Listen to those around you, and find out who may be taking a college class that you have an interest in and want to learn more about. Schedule a one-on-one lunch with that person! Invite guest speakers to your team/staff meetings to talk for 15 to 30 minutes on a topic of interest to the group.
Career progression is not just looking internally or externally. It is looking at the environment around us, taking advantage of the skills and abilities of those around us, and learning. Take the risk! Step out! Be your own advocate for enhancing your skills and abilities. As I said earlier, we are our own worst enemies. If we don't care, who will?
Get the book and read it! It may inspire you to write a book review, or even volunteer for an opportunity within a professional users group or association. My inspiration from reading this book was to write this article. My wish is for you to read this book, find the light that burns within, and use it to light your path.