Comments on: To find a path for your career embrace instability http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:38:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Holy crap, I got the job | The Confidence Guy http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-138749 Holy crap, I got the job | The Confidence Guy Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:40:47 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-138749 [...] it wasn’t scary you’d be living in a cushioned, protected world. Uncertainty and instability are part of life, and protecting yourself from those things means that you’ll be cutting yourself [...] […] it wasn’t scary you’d be living in a cushioned, protected world. Uncertainty and instability are part of life, and protecting yourself from those things means that you’ll be cutting yourself […]

]]> By: My blog is the best in the world » Blog Archive » What to do in college to prepare for entrepreneurship http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-106740 My blog is the best in the world » Blog Archive » What to do in college to prepare for entrepreneurship Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:43:15 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-106740 [...] jobs are more short-term, and sporadic– maybe something to do in between starting one’s own companies. But what can one do in college [...] […] jobs are more short-term, and sporadic– maybe something to do in between starting one’s own companies. But what can one do in college […]

]]> By: Davey http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39491 Davey Tue, 06 Mar 2007 20:07:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39491 I'm curious...where do you go to research your writing material? Better yet, have you thought out the material and advice you offer, or at least speak from experience? For instance...where did you find Jason Davis, whocm you quoted in your article, and do you actually believe his nonsensical, illogical and out-in-left-field thinking that he espouses? So according to this clown, if someone lists having had more than 10 years of experience at a job, you (the recruiter) should put a big x on their Resume and chuck it in the garbage? Really? How insightful, or should I say inciteful! So, being at a job for more than 10 years is a no-no, well then, I guess whoever decides to look at Jack Welch's (ex-CEO GE)resume should do just that - except that he is happy getting millions from Business Week as a Columnist. Regarding Bob Nardelli, now that's a different story. Or I imagine Microsoft should can Ozzie ___, the former CEO of a MASS-based software firm, because he was at the company he founded for more than 10 years. Perhaos, Ms. Trunk, you should take a bit more time to research and qualify the material you add in your column - lest you find yourself out of a columinst position at thg Globe, and start looking for another job yourelf. Now, how long have you been working in this capacity for the Globe????? I'm curious…where do you go to research your writing material? Better yet, have you thought out the material and advice you offer, or at least speak from experience?

For instance…where did you find Jason Davis, whocm you quoted in your article, and do you actually believe his nonsensical, illogical and out-in-left-field thinking that he espouses?

So according to this clown, if someone lists having had more than 10 years of experience at a job, you (the recruiter) should put a big x on their Resume and chuck it in the garbage? Really? How insightful, or should I say inciteful!

So, being at a job for more than 10 years is a no-no, well then, I guess whoever decides to look at Jack Welch's (ex-CEO GE)resume should do just that - except that he is happy getting millions from Business Week as a Columnist. Regarding Bob Nardelli, now that's a different story. Or I imagine Microsoft should can Ozzie ___, the former CEO of a MASS-based software firm, because he was at the company he founded for more than 10 years.

Perhaos, Ms. Trunk, you should take a bit more time to research and qualify the material you add in your column - lest you find yourself out of a columinst position at thg Globe, and start looking for another job yourelf.

Now, how long have you been working in this capacity for the Globe?????

]]> By: links for 2007-03-06 ∞ Get Rich Slowly http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39269 links for 2007-03-06 ∞ Get Rich Slowly Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:22:17 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39269 [...] To find a path for your career embrace instability » Brazen Careerist “The people who are most adept at dealing with transition are the people who will do best in their career and in their life.” (tags: work career job philosophy) [...] […] To find a path for your career embrace instability » Brazen Careerist "The people who are most adept at dealing with transition are the people who will do best in their career and in their life." (tags: work career job philosophy) […]

]]> By: weelbaro http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39215 weelbaro Tue, 06 Mar 2007 03:36:24 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39215 Penelope, In response to your ...er.... response. I both agree and disagree with you. I think the current and future workplace does and will reward curiosity and a love to learn. I really enjoy the challenges of learning new things about object oriented programming languages (how nerdy do I sound!). I guess the point that I was trying to make, is that change in the workplace can be so all consuming that I personally find it cutting some other areas of my own personal knowledge and growth that I used to enjoy. There's no money in Japanese Haiku, or knowledge of Shackleton's bravado below the 60th parallel. I like to be well rounded, but feel like I'm being pulled from that reality. I always said that my soul was sent to the wrong planet because 24 hours just isn't enough. Penelope,

In response to your …er…. response. I both agree and disagree with you. I think the current and future workplace does and will reward curiosity and a love to learn.

I really enjoy the challenges of learning new things about object oriented programming languages (how nerdy do I sound!). I guess the point that I was trying to make, is that change in the workplace can be so all consuming that I personally find it cutting some other areas of my own personal knowledge and growth that I used to enjoy. There's no money in Japanese Haiku, or knowledge of Shackleton's bravado below the 60th parallel. I like to be well rounded, but feel like I'm being pulled from that reality. I always said that my soul was sent to the wrong planet because 24 hours just isn't enough.

]]> By: Working Girl http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39194 Working Girl Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:47:22 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39194 Deborah, Your advisors are giving you what they think is "safe" counsel. You most certainly can change your life, even after age 50. I did. I think Penelope is right in that there is no such thing as permanent stability any more. If there ever was! In my experience, periods of stability and calm are just that, periods. They are bracketed by bouts of upheaval, opportunity, stress, possibility, challenge, and stark naked fear. I.e., change. When we are in the change parts of our lives, we might not appreciate being told that (everlasting) security and stability are illusions. Then again, we might find this oddly comforting. I did. I happen to think that---whatever change scenario you are now living through---you are smart enough to figure it out. Deborah, Your advisors are giving you what they think is "safe" counsel. You most certainly can change your life, even after age 50. I did. I think Penelope is right in that there is no such thing as permanent stability any more. If there ever was! In my experience, periods of stability and calm are just that, periods. They are bracketed by bouts of upheaval, opportunity, stress, possibility, challenge, and stark naked fear. I.e., change.

When we are in the change parts of our lives, we might not appreciate being told that (everlasting) security and stability are illusions. Then again, we might find this oddly comforting. I did.

I happen to think that—whatever change scenario you are now living through—you are smart enough to figure it out.

]]> By: weelbaro http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39193 weelbaro Tue, 06 Mar 2007 01:45:16 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39193 I used to be a technical project manager. 18 months ago as I was reluctantly driving to my job that paid 30K for the type of workload that I made 80K for 5 very, very, very long years ago, I decided that I'd had enough. Now I scrape by at an IT helpdesk asking people if their system is plugged in when they approach me w/ a system problem. I do this so that my evenings will be free for my secondary, secondary education. I'm currently enrolled in a web application development program. I enjoy doing the work, and like the hope of a better day through career transition ... BUT ... there is something to lose in all of this. I'm not really looking forward to a brave new world of constant career re-education or supplementation. I need more than a career focus to feel whole, yet my current career and my future career is all I have time for. Things won't change over time as, by the time I"m ready for full fledged application development, the rules will be changing again, as is the case w/ most industries these days. I used to read voraciously. I got lost in good books. I know a little something about most subjects and enjoy learning about whimsical things. In our wonderful world of transition, I'm forced to kiss that all goodbye. I don't have time for it. I can't see how this is something to be relished. <strong>* * * * * * *</strong> <i>I really appreciate the honesty of this comment. The truth is that it's a lot of work to always be learning new things. Some times in life are better than others for continuous learning. Some times in our lives we just want to get by. Those of you who think this will never be true of you, it's probably because you've been very lucky. But no one is lucky forever. So, what I mean here is that I have emplathy for the problem laid out in this comment.  But look, the good news is that the new, relatively unstable workplace rewards people who are curious and love to learn. The bad news is that if you are not curious about your particular field, then having to learn new things all the time will be really annoying. So maybe what you need to do is figure out how to start doing work you enjoy learning about. So maybe web application work isn't the right thing for you to go into if you don't enjoy learning about it. --Penelope</i> I used to be a technical project manager. 18 months ago as I was reluctantly driving to my job that paid 30K for the type of workload that I made 80K for 5 very, very, very long years ago, I decided that I'd had enough.

Now I scrape by at an IT helpdesk asking people if their system is plugged in when they approach me w/ a system problem. I do this so that my evenings will be free for my secondary, secondary education. I'm currently enrolled in a web application development program. I enjoy doing the work, and like the hope of a better day through career transition … BUT … there is something to lose in all of this.

I'm not really looking forward to a brave new world of constant career re-education or supplementation. I need more than a career focus to feel whole, yet my current career and my future career is all I have time for. Things won't change over time as, by the time I"m ready for full fledged application development, the rules will be changing again, as is the case w/ most industries these days.

I used to read voraciously. I got lost in good books. I know a little something about most subjects and enjoy learning about whimsical things. In our wonderful world of transition, I'm forced to kiss that all goodbye. I don't have time for it. I can't see how this is something to be relished.

* * * * * * *

I really appreciate the honesty of this comment. The truth is that it's a lot of work to always be learning new things. Some times in life are better than others for continuous learning. Some times in our lives we just want to get by. Those of you who think this will never be true of you, it's probably because you've been very lucky. But no one is lucky forever. So, what I mean here is that I have emplathy for the problem laid out in this comment. 

But look, the good news is that the new, relatively unstable workplace rewards people who are curious and love to learn. The bad news is that if you are not curious about your particular field, then having to learn new things all the time will be really annoying. So maybe what you need to do is figure out how to start doing work you enjoy learning about. So maybe web application work isn't the right thing for you to go into if you don't enjoy learning about it.

–Penelope

]]> By: Newspapergrl on Internet Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, etc. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39142 Newspapergrl on Internet Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, etc. Mon, 05 Mar 2007 21:04:51 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39142 [...] Never say you will exclusively work for anyone or stay long term. It’s a 2-way agreement. We’ll both work together as long as it makes sense for both of us. I tried to be loyal when the situation didn’t warrant it which didn’t work. My favorite post that helped me accept this concept came from Penelope Trunk (not her real name) blogged about embracing instability or I would say uncertainty. Amazingly enough I have learned to do that and simply look forward to the next adventure. I know my worth now and I’m willing to take time to find the situation that best suits me. As Guy Kawasaki said, slavery was outlawed in this country a long time ago. [...] […] Never say you will exclusively work for anyone or stay long term. It's a 2-way agreement. We'll both work together as long as it makes sense for both of us. I tried to be loyal when the situation didn't warrant it which didn't work. My favorite post that helped me accept this concept came from Penelope Trunk (not her real name) blogged about embracing instability or I would say uncertainty. Amazingly enough I have learned to do that and simply look forward to the next adventure. I know my worth now and I'm willing to take time to find the situation that best suits me. As Guy Kawasaki said, slavery was outlawed in this country a long time ago. […]

]]> By: Anastasia http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39015 Anastasia Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:04:30 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-39015 A frightening thought. No roller coaster can last forever, and if it did no one could ride it. Sounds to me like a recipe for Depression and unionization in a decade or two. And that's coming from a twenty -something art student. I think transition is fun. But I also think that too much chocolate cake will make anyone sick, and the more often you have it, the less it takes. A frightening thought. No roller coaster can last forever, and if it did no one could ride it. Sounds to me like a recipe for Depression and unionization in a decade or two. And that's coming from a twenty -something art student. I think transition is fun. But I also think that too much chocolate cake will make anyone sick, and the more often you have it, the less it takes.

]]> By: Jacqui http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-38999 Jacqui Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:46:46 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/03/04/to-find-a-path-for-your-career-embrace-instability/#comment-38999 Taking time to explore and embracing uncertainty are very romantic ideas I'm sure we all think we'd like to enjoy. That's originally why I chose to work in the political arena. It's always changing, and no two days on the job are alike. Working in politics is my true passion. Last November, I left the political arena (the 80 hour weeks, living on greasy pizza, and impossible deadlines that I love) for a much less political 9-5 job. There were moments of near emotional breakdown as I contemplated that I had just left the one thing that I felt defined me. And then ... I realized that for the first time in my life, I knew I'd be able to pay my rent, my car payment, my student loans six months from now. And this amazing peace came over me. I know that I will not keep this job forever, but I also know that stability is not a new dirty word. It's a beautiful thing. And those who seek it are not foolish or unhappy - just sane. <strong>* * * * * *</strong> <I>This is a really important comment. It makes me wish I had been a little more clear in this post. I think what Jacqui writes about stability is so true. Stability is important. The stress of instability has made for some of the hardest, most unproductive times in my life, and I'm a big fan of making decisions that lead to stability. The reason I wrote this post is that I think it's very hard to find stability in a career today. For one thing, old stable paths don't work. And the other problem is that no job is certain to last. The only thing that's certain is transition. So, in my own quest to make a more stable life, I have found that getting good at transition makes me feel less unstable. At any rate, Jacqui, congratualations on getting yourself to a spot where you know you can pay rent. I have first-hand knowledge of what an incredibly huge relief that is -- a way bigger relief than finding one's dream job. Penelope</i> Taking time to explore and embracing uncertainty are very romantic ideas I'm sure we all think we'd like to enjoy. That's originally why I chose to work in the political arena. It's always changing, and no two days on the job are alike. Working in politics is my true passion.
Last November, I left the political arena (the 80 hour weeks, living on greasy pizza, and impossible deadlines that I love) for a much less political 9-5 job. There were moments of near emotional breakdown as I contemplated that I had just left the one thing that I felt defined me.
And then … I realized that for the first time in my life, I knew I'd be able to pay my rent, my car payment, my student loans six months from now. And this amazing peace came over me.
I know that I will not keep this job forever, but I also know that stability is not a new dirty word. It's a beautiful thing. And those who seek it are not foolish or unhappy - just sane.

* * * * * *

This is a really important comment. It makes me wish I had been a little more clear in this post.

I think what Jacqui writes about stability is so true. Stability is important. The stress of instability has made for some of the hardest, most unproductive times in my life, and I'm a big fan of making decisions that lead to stability.

The reason I wrote this post is that I think it's very hard to find stability in a career today. For one thing, old stable paths don't work. And the other problem is that no job is certain to last. The only thing that's certain is transition. So, in my own quest to make a more stable life, I have found that getting good at transition makes me feel less unstable.

At any rate, Jacqui, congratualations on getting yourself to a spot where you know you can pay rent. I have first-hand knowledge of what an incredibly huge relief that is — a way bigger relief than finding one's dream job.

Penelope

]]>