From Career Coach Nancy Collamer. Posted under Career Management on January 21st, 2010
The other morning I was working with a client, a former nurse, whose background weights heavily towards the sciences and research. In discussing her assessment, one of her dominant themes was that she is a helper. She loves listening to people, analyzing their problems and offering suggestions to help make their lives better. It is not part of her official job description, but it is what she loves to do and do well.
As we tossed around ideas about what types of careers might be a good fit for her, I asked her if she ever considered becoming a therapist.
Suddenly there was dead silence on the phone.
Fearing that I had totally missed the mark with my suggestion, I asked her again what she thought.
"Wow, that is weird," she remarked.
"Weird in what way?" I asked.
She went on to clarify that it was a weird coincidence. Evidently, prior to beginning her work with me, she had asked several of her closest friends what type of career they thought would be a good fit for her. Each of them had also suggested that she consider exploring her options as a therapist or a coach.
It's hard to ignore such consistent feedback. Especially when it comes from friends who know you well.
Friends see the real you. Unlike your work colleagues who get to know the buttoned-up, professional veneer version of you, your friends get to see your natural self. The self who comes out when you are doing the things you want to do with the people you want to be with. The goofy self. The caring self.
And yes, the sometimes unorganized, lazy, cranky, irrational, "I can't believe you can be so bitchy!" self too.
If you're blessed with good friends in your life, consider asking them, "What type of career do you see me in?"
Their answers might just give you something to think about.
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