HELP! Where is my career going this year? (part 1 of 3)

from Claire Kittle Dixon and her Talent Market webinar, co-sponsored by State Policy Network and AF 

Advice by Claire. Paraphrasing by Matt.

For some of us, this is the cold dark truth.

You might be gearing up for graduation. Perhaps your contract as an associate, fellow, or intern is coming to a close. Hey, maybe you’re just restless because of this long winter. Regardless, it seems most people I know are asking themselves:

What do you want to do? 

This might be your first existential crisis, or your third one this morning.  Either way, your way of thinking likely falls into one of three categories:

1.  “I know exactly what I want to do!” Congratulations! Determining your next steps should be easy enough. But don’t close yourself off to the unexpected. You may change your mind completely as markets fluctuate and opportunities arise.
2. “I know roughly what I want to do.” Great! No need to plot out your entire career path now. The early years of your career (now!) are perfect for testing your options. Focus on finding what you like and what you don’t like. As you hone your strengths, you’ll perform better and narrow your search too!
3. “Holy crap. I don’t know.” Well, most of us have been here. Figuring out what you want to do with your life is not a life or death decision. Of course it is important, but you have TIME to figure it out!

Group 1 can be a comforting place to be. Unfortunately, most of us fall into group 2 or 3, if we have any idea at all. It doesn’t matter if your path is certain, tentative, or nonexistent; Claire has 12 strategies to review that will keep you on track this year.

12 THINGS TO CONSIDER AS YOU PLOT YOUR CAREER (Part 1 of 3)

1. Do some homework. Finding what you want to do is something only you can do. Easier said than done. Books like StrengthsFinder and What Color is Your Parachute can help narrow your selections and help you learn more about who you are and what you’re good at.
2. What sector is calling you? As you do research consider how your skills fit in the private sector, in politics and government, and of course in the free-market nonprofit world. Each industry has its own pros and cons, so deciding which best suits you can help guide your path a bit more.
3. What do you enjoy? Are you a strong writer and communicator? Consider a job in Communications or Development. Do you prefer researching and analyzing? Maybe Policy or Legal work is right for you. These are rough recommendations and you may not know yet what you like and don’t like. But, one of the best ways to find out is by trying. And the best way to try, is with a job. 
4. What are the biggest needs in the free-market nonprofit sector? This may come as a surprise, but there are plenty of people in policy. If that’s your passion, the competition shouldn’t dissuade you! The point is that positions in communications and fundraising are in higher demand. So, if you can prove your worth and build skills in one of those areas, you can make yourself indispensable. Also, there are driven people at organizations like Talent Market who can help you find where those skills fit best. 

Stay tuned for the tips 5-12!