I understand what you mean about waiting to start a business. I have ideas, and goals that I am working toward – but I feel like it will be a while until these baby steps manifest in the form of business cards with my name on them. I would like to be considered for your contest. I would like to know what JT says about how people with a desire to branch out on their own should go about pursuing their career path – particularly when they still have a nine to five.
I can REALLY relate to this! Especially about feeling pressure from everyone who seems to have been born knowing exactly what they want to do, and with a lot of people thinking you should be happy in your job for many reasons. Right now I’m feeling a little “stuck” where I am, and can’t seem to figure out how to get myself back on track in another direction. I’ve started on a certain career path and I’m not sure how I can possibly go a different direction now that I’m on this path (without totally screwing up my career anyway).
Hey sounds awesome! I’m extremely interested in this personality test, as well as helping others discover their career paths, strengths, etc. I’m planning on starting a personal on-line small business. Monica, I recently sent you an e-mail about another topic. Thanks! Hope to hear from you soon.
What you described sounded so much like my own story that I can only hope to be enlightened by some really strong assessment tests by JT. I am a software engineer too and constantly feel the pressure to be happy about it!
However, I know that I want something else and feel that by following my heart I am screwing my career forever. I really want to enter the management field and so am planning to get a MBA soon. Lucky for you that you still love to code. I already want to run away from it!
Monica – thanks for the great account of your experience with my book/work and I can’t wait to work personally with the winner.
@Rebecca & Tiffany – Thanks for the kind words, you both know how much I love your blogs and respect what you are doing for your generation – I’m just glad to help!
@Christy – branching out on your own can definitely be done while holding down the 9 to 5. I actually encourage it because, while the business may not grow as quickly as you’d like, it allows you to gain insight that can help you make ‘course corrections’ to your ultimate business plan so you can be certain it’s a winner BEFORE you quit the day job. My advice on how to achieve this? Think small. I find that a lot of young professionals who want to become entrepreneurs put too much pressure on themselves to have a substantial and impressive business plan. Being an entrepreneur begins the day you provide your first ‘deliverable’ to someone. Suddenly, after a few of those, you’ve got traction – and the motivation and confidence to take bigger steps towards your goal embraces you.
@Rory – I can relate to the ‘stuck’ feelings and the fear of messing up the career path with a change. I call it the Golden Handcuff Effect, and it’s holding millions of folks back from finding greater career satisfaction. Quick advice: Lillypadding to a new career is the best way to transition without major loss of income, perks, etc. It involves applying your strongest skill sets to a job that puts you in a new field of interest, thus allowing you to gain access to a new set of contacts and job opportunities down the line. To start brainstorming jobs that would enable you to do this, be sure to check out the FREE Career Interests Game found on the alumni page of the University of Missouri’s career center site: http://www.career.missouri. edu – it is an amazing tool!
@ Neha – before you go back for the MBA, definitely consider a certificate program from one of the top b-schools instead. They are significantly cheaper, are real eye-catchers on resumes, and give you a taste of what you will be doing in school so that you can see if you want to specialize in a particular area. Plus, many companies don’t mind paying a portion or all of the expense – check with HR. They love to see employees who are thinking about becoming managers and may have a program they’d recommend as well that is in sync with the company’s management philosophies.
Thanks so much for posting this review. I am just starting a website on finding the dream job – I’m no expert, I just thought it would be better to find my dream job if it was a global effort…and hopefully offer inspiration to others along the way. I can’t wait take the test! Thanks again
JT – thanks for your practical advice. I suppose even though I “know” this – it really helps to hear someone else validate this approach. Some times starting small feels insignificant. Thanks for the inspiration!
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
Monica O'Brien is the Director of Digital at Fizz and author of the book Social Pollination, which helps businesses leverage social media for crazy growth!
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve worked with JT and she’s fabulous. I also very much enjoyed her book.
JT is really great – a very passionate and energetic person. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I understand what you mean about waiting to start a business. I have ideas, and goals that I am working toward – but I feel like it will be a while until these baby steps manifest in the form of business cards with my name on them. I would like to be considered for your contest. I would like to know what JT says about how people with a desire to branch out on their own should go about pursuing their career path – particularly when they still have a nine to five.
I can REALLY relate to this! Especially about feeling pressure from everyone who seems to have been born knowing exactly what they want to do, and with a lot of people thinking you should be happy in your job for many reasons. Right now I’m feeling a little “stuck” where I am, and can’t seem to figure out how to get myself back on track in another direction. I’ve started on a certain career path and I’m not sure how I can possibly go a different direction now that I’m on this path (without totally screwing up my career anyway).
Monica
Hey sounds awesome! I’m extremely interested in this personality test, as well as helping others discover their career paths, strengths, etc. I’m planning on starting a personal on-line small business. Monica, I recently sent you an e-mail about another topic. Thanks! Hope to hear from you soon.
What you described sounded so much like my own story that I can only hope to be enlightened by some really strong assessment tests by JT. I am a software engineer too and constantly feel the pressure to be happy about it!
However, I know that I want something else and feel that by following my heart I am screwing my career forever. I really want to enter the management field and so am planning to get a MBA soon. Lucky for you that you still love to code. I already want to run away from it!
Monica – thanks for the great account of your experience with my book/work and I can’t wait to work personally with the winner.
@Rebecca & Tiffany – Thanks for the kind words, you both know how much I love your blogs and respect what you are doing for your generation – I’m just glad to help!
@Christy – branching out on your own can definitely be done while holding down the 9 to 5. I actually encourage it because, while the business may not grow as quickly as you’d like, it allows you to gain insight that can help you make ‘course corrections’ to your ultimate business plan so you can be certain it’s a winner BEFORE you quit the day job. My advice on how to achieve this? Think small. I find that a lot of young professionals who want to become entrepreneurs put too much pressure on themselves to have a substantial and impressive business plan. Being an entrepreneur begins the day you provide your first ‘deliverable’ to someone. Suddenly, after a few of those, you’ve got traction – and the motivation and confidence to take bigger steps towards your goal embraces you.
@Rory – I can relate to the ‘stuck’ feelings and the fear of messing up the career path with a change. I call it the Golden Handcuff Effect, and it’s holding millions of folks back from finding greater career satisfaction. Quick advice: Lillypadding to a new career is the best way to transition without major loss of income, perks, etc. It involves applying your strongest skill sets to a job that puts you in a new field of interest, thus allowing you to gain access to a new set of contacts and job opportunities down the line. To start brainstorming jobs that would enable you to do this, be sure to check out the FREE Career Interests Game found on the alumni page of the University of Missouri’s career center site: http://www.career.missouri. edu – it is an amazing tool!
@ Neha – before you go back for the MBA, definitely consider a certificate program from one of the top b-schools instead. They are significantly cheaper, are real eye-catchers on resumes, and give you a taste of what you will be doing in school so that you can see if you want to specialize in a particular area. Plus, many companies don’t mind paying a portion or all of the expense – check with HR. They love to see employees who are thinking about becoming managers and may have a program they’d recommend as well that is in sync with the company’s management philosophies.
Thanks so much for posting this review. I am just starting a website on finding the dream job – I’m no expert, I just thought it would be better to find my dream job if it was a global effort…and hopefully offer inspiration to others along the way. I can’t wait take the test! Thanks again
JT – thanks for your practical advice. I suppose even though I “know” this – it really helps to hear someone else validate this approach. Some times starting small feels insignificant. Thanks for the inspiration!
Christy
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