Livin' the Dream
“And I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense, I had no idea what to do.”
-Michael Scott
A Walk Down Memory Lane
When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher. I had teacher stamps and stickers and loved making worksheets for my invisible class. Sometimes, my sisters or cousins would sit in and be my misbehaving students. I even became a Sunday school teacher at the church my uncle preached at. I was a Sunday school teacher from ages 12 to 22. I had an overhead projector, so you bet I was in heaven at church.
While teaching kids was exciting, after a while, I also wanted to be a chef. I watched this cooking show on PBS, Yan Can Cook, and felt inspired to be a chef. In high school, I wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps. He worked at a fancy hotel chain for many years, so when I saw a Hotel and Restaurant Management internship, I decided to take it, and I did that for two years. In this internship, I also got to work in the kitchen for a bit, fulfilling my desire to be a chef and work in a hotel. Looking back, I was determined to follow a specific path once I decided what to be.
So what do I do today? Am I a teacher or a chef, or do I work in the hospitality industry? No to all of it. I’m an analyst and have been for almost ten years now. Becoming an analyst was never something I aspired to be. What happened to the girl who had interests and ambition to pursue a career within those areas? She changed, that’s what. Life happens, and circumstances change. I am in my early forties and feeling like I’m at a crossroads.
Career Uncertainty
Have you ever felt career uncertainty or career anxiety? Questioning what you’re even doing with your life? Wondering how you got where you are and asking yourself if this is even the right job or career for you? I came across this scene in The Office where Andy Bernard is doing everything he can to be a good manager. He had big shoes to fill with no manager experience, yet Robert California chose him to be the branch manager. While Andy was excited, he struggled to believe in himself. He didn’t have a lot of confidence and even admitted to not knowing what he was doing. Jim motivated him to believe in himself, and that was all Andy needed to hear.
Like Andy, I, too, have felt insecure as an analyst. You see, I’m not great at math. It was my worst subject throughout my education. You can imagine then how difficult it has been for me to be an analyst. Not impossible, but difficult. I faced challenges that others didn’t. It took me longer to get things done than it took for others. Being an analyst has meant working harder than my peers because math isn’t mathing for me. I constantly felt like I had to prove myself, and so I did. I asked questions; I wanted to understand the why in every situation. I took a lot of notes. All this makes me feel slightly better, but I still know that analytics was not my strength.
Looking back at my early years in analytics, I now realize that even with my struggles, I was one of the top analysts managers wanted to work with. I guarantee it wasn’t because I was smart but because people enjoyed working with me. I used my other strengths to help me in this role. I’m a relationship builder. I have a great work ethic and promptly get the job done.
Being an analyst for all these years has brought me to a point where I’m analyzing my career choices, trying to understand what led me to each place. The main answer was money. I get that money isn’t everything, but only people with money say that. I’m not able to tell you that money doesn’t matter because, nowadays, it does.
The Upside of Career Uncertainty
It might not be readily apparent to those of us in this position of uncertainty in our careers, but there are some positives we can learn from during this time in our lives. Navigating the uncertainty of not knowing what career path to pursue can be challenging at any age, but it’s common for aging people who may be feeling pressure to figure out their career path. Let’s take Andy Bernard, for example, again. He went from being a salesman to a branch manager and decided in season 9 to follow his dreams. He quit his job to pursue fame of any kind. While he didn’t get the fame he was looking for ("oh, I can just sit here and cry"), opportunities arose because of the unfavorable fame he received. He ended up working at his favorite college, Cornell.
Andy wasn’t the only one who faced career uncertainty. Look at Pam. She wanted to be an artist, not a receptionist, her whole life. She went to school and tried that out, and while it did not work for her, at least she can say she tried. How will you know if something is or isn’t suitable for you unless you give it a try?
She then left Dunder Mifflin to work for the Michael Scott Paper Company as a Salesman, which she later found she wasn’t great at. Then Pam did the unthinkable: She made up an Office Manager position and crushed it at that job. Jim also went through some career uncertainty. He desired more out of his job, doing something he was passionate about. He invested in a start-up for sports marketing, and it took off.
It can feel super uneasy to jump into the unknown, but that’s one of the upsides of this uncomfortable situation. When you aren’t sure what you want to do in life, you leave the door open for possibilities, some that you never even thought of. This is an excellent time to analyze what you enjoyed or didn’t enjoy in all your jobs. What made you happiest? What did you excel at? Think about the transferable skills that you acquired in each of those roles. Knowing this can help you get out of this career uncertainty.
Where do you go from here?
Regardless of age, it’s normal and okay not to have your career path ultimately figured out. People experience career changes and transitions throughout their lives, and it's never too late to explore new opportunities and pursue different paths, just like we saw with Andy, Pam, and Jim, who are all in their 30s-40s and making career changes.
It’s also okay to be okay with where you’re currently. A few months ago, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of analysts from the team I used to be on. The goal was to hear from past analysts and see where we are now. Many of my colleagues have moved into manager roles and even senior manager roles, and here I am, still a senior analyst. When my colleague (now a manager) asked if I could come into their meeting to discuss my current role and career at the company, I questioned why she would want me, of all people. I have not had the impressive climb to the top. I thought maybe she wanted to demotivate the team. For example, when Andy called his old professor for a way to de-incentivize people, he looked for a real blow to morale.
Before this meeting, I took the time to think about my current career and its trajectory. I’ve been at this company for over 16 years, and I’ve come to appreciate the path that I have been on. Every role in my first eight years was a step up, and in the eight years after, while I continued to be a Senior Analyst in different departments, it was always a pay bump. I learned new skills with each role, sharpened my current skills, and met new people. While the money was necessary, the skills I learned were also critical. My advice to those analysts was to work on getting better at what they do and learn new skills. This will help them in their career if they want to move up. I also told them it’s okay to be okay with where they’re at. They are lucky to have struck that balance if they find the role challenging and rewarding.
But if you aren't comfortable with where you're at, it's time for a bit of self-reflection and exploration. If you’re looking for ways to find the right direction, consider taking some of the steps below to help you get there.
7 Steps for Finding Your Career Path
1. Self-Assessment:
Start by evaluating your interests, values, skills, and strengths. Consider what activities you enjoy, what subjects you excel in, and what values are essential to your career. Various online assessments and tools are available to help you with this process. I recommend the Gallup Strengths Finder Assessment. We took this assessment at work, which has helped shape how I view myself. There are 34 strengths, and you answer a series of questions, and the examination will reveal the 34 strengths in order. You’ll find your top 5 strengths and the theme you fall into. I loved this assessment!
2. Research Career Options:
Based on your top 5 strengths, what type of jobs would you be a good fit for? Explore different industries, job roles, and career paths that align with your interests, skills, and strengths. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in fields you're considering and utilize online resources like LinkedIn to gather information about various career options.
3. Gain Experience:
It’s hard to gain experience when you have none to begin with. Think about your transferable skills. What skills can be helpful in those careers you researched? What skills are you missing? Take a course or watch YouTube videos to learn more.
4. Network:
I hate to say it, but networking does help. Every role I’ve had in my 16-year career has been because someone referred me or thought of me for the role. This is based on the relationships I’ve built over time. You can also try to connect with professionals in industries or roles you're interested in through networking events, LinkedIn, alum networks, or professional organizations. Networking can provide valuable insights, advice, and potential job opportunities to help you explore different career paths and make informed decisions.
5. Seek Guidance:
Please seek guidance from career counselors, mentors, or advisors who can provide objective advice and support as you navigate your career exploration process. They can offer valuable insights, resources, and perspectives to help you clarify your goals and make informed decisions about your career path. Could you check your local government programs? In Texas, there is the Texas Workforce Commission. They can help you find a job, and it’s free. They let you take assessments that would typically cost you money at no cost to you.
6. Try New Things:
Be open to trying new experiences and stepping out of your comfort zone. Take on new challenges, hobbies, or projects that can help you gain new skills, expand your perspective, and discover potential career interests you may have yet to consider.
7. Reflect and Iterate:
Please reflect on your experiences, interests, and goals throughout the career exploration process. Keep an open mind and be willing to adjust your path based on new insights or changing priorities. Career exploration is a journey of self-discovery and growth, so embrace the process and stay adaptable to change.
Remember that finding the right career path is often a gradual process that requires patience, self-reflection, and exploration. It's okay to feel uncertain or make mistakes along the way – what's important is to remain proactive, open-minded, and committed to finding a career that aligns with your passions and strengths.
Final Words
If you read my about me section, you may already know a little about my story. I started blogging in 2019 as a creative outlet for my analyst role. My blog has certainly come a long way and has changed so much. I’m sure it’ll go through many more changes. That’s the thing: we must find what we enjoy and what works for us, and if something doesn’t, see what does. It’s ok to change your mind. My goal is to be open-minded about this creative process. I want to enjoy what I do, and I hope my writing brings education and entertainment to all who come across it.
Also, when you are ready to find a new job or you’re preparing for an interview, I have compiled the best advice that has worked for me into an ebook called, The Business Bitch. Yes, this is another Office reference. Check it out, and best of luck in your career journey!
