Although far from home, students of the St. Hilda's Diocean High School in Brown's Town, St. Ann, show keen interest as lecturer Margaret Stanley, standing right, speaks about using textile and fabric in artistic expressions. The occasion was the 2004 Careers Day organised by the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) to expose secondary school students to career opportunities in the arts. The day's activities also included hands-on activities in the visual arts, dance, drama and music.
-Norman Grindley photoBeverley East, Contributor
Dear Beverley,
PLEASE ALLOW me to bend your ear for a moment, I need some advice. I am 40 years old and I only have a degree from the 'University of life'. As corny as it may sound I have experienced many different work situations and done many a task for practically free.
I have worked for some of the most difficult and complex bosses in existence, but alas nobody wants you unless you have the entire alphabet behind your name.
I never turned down any task as I figured the more experience the better. Unfortunately, that carries no weight. I tried going back to school but that did not work out as I was falling asleep while driving many nights. You see my day starts at 4 a.m. - the joy of living in Portmore and having children.
Where do I go from here? I work in a job that is completely boring; no challenges. I watch the University graduates constantly make a mess of things. I guess they need to teach a degree program in common sense.
Is there any hope of a fulfilling job for someone like me? or should I just be content as I am and not use my on-the-job skills I have learnt.
Looking forward to a response if you are not too busy.
Regards
Dear Reader:
Thank you for bending my ear. What I suggest you do is set out some clear definitions for yourself. Ask yourself what is it you would like to do right now if you had the degree or if you didn't have other obligations and your life was simpler. Then set about getting it as if you didn't have a care in the world. Life is full of challenges and you just have to weather the storm the best you can. There is a tendency to overload ourselves with challenges that may hinder us from ever getting started.
You have two options: You can condense all of life's experiences that are valuable to you and your potential employer by creating a power sheet:
Begin by writing down every job you have done, paid or unpaid. What successes have you had in them?
Write down the specific task or tasks it took to reach your achievement.
Then go back to both lists and see what skills run consistently throughout each one of them
Then quantify the skill with your achievement ( i.e. I organised a product launch for my company that later grossed x amount of dollars for the company).
These are your strengths, that you can then take to your next employer. Do not just say I am good at this or the other, so is everyone else but what have you produced by yourself or as part of a team? It is important that you identify these strengths.
What you must then consider is not what you don't have, but what you do have, as your ammunition is power. Sometimes the sheer power and the attitude of who we are (which young graduates are armed with, can assist you). Do not spend the next 20 years of your life doing jobs that you hate. Life is too precious. Unless you can take early retirement in the next few years but rather consider how you can contribute with the numerous skills that you have.
However, don't scorn the young college leavers. You can learn from them too. They have a sense of fearlessness and confidence that their naivety brings to the table. They are not afraid to go into a lot of situations blindly, often making mistakes as they go along, but nevertheless making their mark. The lesson you can learn from them is their unfailing 'fearlessness'.
They do not consider their lack of experience or their lack of common-sense. And as my mother would say, 'common sense is not so common'. Yes, I can understand your frustration with them, but what you have to remember is that common-sense comes with age and wisdom. Saying you have done a multitude of things won't help you. You have to clearly define what they are and what does the marketplace need.
Never be content with the very little end of life when the top end awaits you. If further education didn't work the first time, look at other opportunities on-line learning, short courses, not everyone I know that is in a management position has the degree nor the know-how to do the job they are in, but somehow, they have managed to convince the person that hired them that they can.
DOUBT
Doubt plays a big role in the process of diminishing your power. What you have achieved is valuable but you first have to decide what you want to do with your life for the next 20 years. Doubt clouds your ability to act with confidence and to command the respect you have gained the last twenty plus years. Never settle for what life has served up for you instead of what you really want and need.
Doubt is a greedy somebody. It sneaks up on you and confuses your thought process and chips away at your confidence. Before you know it doubt has invited confusion and self-consciousness to join it on its pursuit to destroy who you are. Don't give doubt the pleasure. Be practical when making life changes. Step forward and pave your path to success.
If you decide to return to studying for a degree you must have a firm commitment. It's just like getting married. Once you decide to marry then you have to give up all the other beaus. The same goes for studying. With children, a full time job and living outside of Kingston you already have your plate full. What you should consider is what can I give up, delegate, adjust to for the next three years.
Maybe you should not get up 4 a.m. in the morning on the days you have to go to school but arrange to start work at a later time, arrange for someone to get your kids to school on those days. Of course, you will fall asleep at the wheel if your day starts at 4 a.m. after all you are not the Bionic woman. You can't take on a task so important or time consuming without moving something from your schedule. Be realistic.
Everything may seem impossible but there is light at the end of the tunnel if only you can get on track to begin with. You need to make some practical changes in your domestic life before you pursue a degree. Work out a time management schedule you can handle. It's possible, you just have to believe it. Settle for nothing less than the best you deserve it. And in the meantime while you are sorting out what to do next.
On that drive from Portmore to Kingston everyday play some motivational tapes, that will put you in gear for the day.
When should I pursue my MBA
Dear Beverley,
I always enjoy reading your column and am hoping that you can offer me some sound advice. I have worked in the customer service field as a line employee, for more than seven years, on contract. I have more spare time 10-13 days off monthly, than the average person. I am relatively content in my job (considering how many persons don't have one), but don't know if I want to do this forever, especially after having children.
In my opinion, I have found that first degrees have become so commonplace and wonder when or if I should pursue an MBA now, while I have the time and that certain job opportunities won't pass me by due to my limited qualifications. ( I have a 1st degree, Bsc). I don't want a company to send me back to school at 40-50 yrs. old to do an MBA.( some do!) and for personal fulfilment, a competitive edge and greater earning capabilities.
It is a costly investment but one I would consider making. What do I want to do with my life? Well, just be successful in any field that presents a great opportunity, it doesn't matter. I still haven't, like most people not self-employed, am still trying to find and 'live my passion' and earn from it.
Sincerely,
S.C.
Dear Reader:
Thank you for your letter. I say go for your MBA while you have additional time and no commitment on your hands. Those who are juggling several balls at once will be envious of your position and lack of commitment. If I could sell time I would be a rich woman. Going back to school at 40-50 is not the end of the world for those who are doing it. But why wait until you are 40 years old when time is on your side now. Seize it.
Send your career concerns to Beverley East at writefully_yours@hotmail.com or visit her website at www.writeanalysis.com
