Eric Martin ⋅ Blackshear, GA KBR, Inc. ⋅ 25 years experience

Grady,

I would say that this does come with some introspection, at first, and truly finding out what your unique personality type is. What are you passionate about? In fact, when I'm teaching my students at the local Community College, I always use this to help them identify what it is that they're passionate about, and then to suggest that they direct their educational, and career goals, in that direction. And my favorite saying that I always repeat, over and over to my students, is that "No one truly wants a J.O.B., because Job stands for JUST OVER BROKE, barely making it; whereas, if you find a CAREER, or something you're passionate about, you'll never have to work a day in your life." I believe that statement, and I leave it with you to consider as well. Find out your passion, and seek employment opportunities in things you're passionate about.

I use this website to assist those in finding out their personality types: http://www.typefinder.com/test/type-finder-personality-test

I hope it assists you as well as it has my students, and others with whom I've shared it.

Sincerely,

Eric Martin, MSIT, Security +
Assistant Professor of Information Technology
Tidewater Community College
http://faculty.tcc.edu/EMartin

Heather Gillbanks ⋅ Houston, TX General Electric ⋅ 26 years experience

Hi Grady - great question. Few people are self-aware enough to even ask it. :)

For me, when I am feeling less than fulfilled in my job, I sit down and do a little soul-searching. "What is it that is lacking"? - is the question you need to answer for yourself. Only when you understand the Problem Statement very clearly can you begin to design an effective solution.

I always advise my proteges to consider any possible role/ job changes using this framework:

There are no right and wrong answers (varies by person, and for the same person over time --> young and single does not mean same priorities as young married with a new baby!).

C - Challenge
L - Location
A - Advancement opportunities
M - Money
E - Environment (what is the workplace like)
S - Stability

Rank these 6 attributes FOR YOURSELF, prior to a new search. Then, as you interview, stack up the role against those attributes. Pursue the role(s) that best fit your current needs.

You may also want to take a few self-assessment type of tests. The classic Meyers-Briggs, online, contains some suggested career options for people when they receive their results. This may help you focus your search.

Or, you could just do the old Ben Franklin "pros & cons" list. What do you like to do, and not like to do? Make 2 lists. Then, see if there is a logical job that pops out of that.

I do differ from mainstream thinking in one respect. While I would never recommend doing something you DISLIKE for 2000 hours a year, I actually don't recommend that people "pursue their passion" as a job. I have seen too many people lose their zest for something (typically, some kind of art or other creative outlet) by trying to make it into a career. They are either successful and get burnt out doing it (and therefore no longer have it as their creative outlet), or they are unsuccessful and become bitter for that reason (and lose their passion for it, because it reminds them of their failure). Keep something you LOVE just for you! I know it's contrarian, but something to consider.

Leslie Robertson ⋅ Half Moon Bay, CA Nebula, inc. ⋅ 20 years experience

Hi Grady,

Over the years, I've found it helpful to develop a sort of personal manifesto. Believe it or not, working a few crappy jobs was a great way of clarifying these points for myself, though it took a bit of introspection and time to boil down the lessons to their essence. (You have the benefit of coming from a career you loved--just for fun, try to boil down what you loved about it to 10 pithy bullet points). Once I could articulate these points clearly to myself, I found I could apply my list to just about any situation. Either the job matched my personal manifesto or it didn't. Things were either worth my time and passion or they weren't. If something didn't match, I would tweak it until it did. Sometimes I could make change from inside the organization, sometimes I had to go elsewhere, but once I was clear on my own terms, I found it much easier to navigate and to find satisfaction at work. Another way of saying this: If you don't know where you're headed, how will you know when you get there?

I hope that helps.

Charlie Kotan ⋅ Lake Havasu City, AZ IBM ⋅ 25 years experience

Grady, be prepared to reinvent yourself now and again. I had a passion for writing computer software, and every project was different, so I needed to grow a new skill to get each gig. Always watch what's coming so you don't get blind-sided. Over time the bottom has fallen out of great careers, including stockbrokers, engineers, TV production, manufacturing. Also, when it's not fun to go to work, start planning for something else.

Claudia Jayne ⋅ Santa Ynez, CA Such Comforts (custom bedding) ⋅ 30 years experience

The old saying...."Do what you love...and the money will follow". .. is so very true! What are your passions? If someone woke you up at 3am and asked you to do this...and you gladly will...that's your passion!!! Think outside the box...think- your own business with low overhead...as opposed to 'getting a job'..!!! I love to sew and interact with people...so I have a sewing/decorating business for 30 years now...and I still love it!

Grady B ⋅ Oxford, GA U.S. Army National Guard, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 11 years served

All..wanted to write and say thank you very much for your thoughts and guidance over the past several months. I truly value the time and energy you spent replying to my question.

Quite a bit has changed since I submitted my original question. After several months of research, talking, and speaking to those within the industry, I believe I would be productive, happy and enjoy a career in management consulting.

Consulting requires a serious commitment of ones time and energy. It will be a huge learning curve, though I feel it will be worthwhile.

With that, should you find it appropriate to respond; if you happen to know someone within the consulting field and feel comfortable extending their email, I will absolutely make sure I interact with the highest level of professionalism.

My Best,

Grady

Bill Garrison ⋅ Lake Wales, FL Plus-32 Employment Testing ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Grady,

My answer may be a little late but hopefully not. There are some really good answers on here and the only thing I can add is "do something that is fun to you and not work" As someone once said "do something you love and you will never work a day in your life"

The first step in that is to know yourself. Know your personality type, your character and talent traits. Know your weaknesses and strengths. From there you can decide what road to take and what will make you happy.

In the 30 years I've helped employers hire good people the most successful employees were the ones who's personality, character and talent traits matched the position. Even if a certain career sounds exciting if you don't have the traits to do a good job it won't work out.

You can message me for more info if you would like. Good luck.

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

Frankly, when you get right down to it, I think that no one really knows. Start where you think is best for you. Then evaluate the situation at the end of two years. Then go from there. I went through about 4 or 5 "wonderful" jobs and career tracks before I realized that I wanted to start my own consulting firm. Good luck.

Grady B ⋅ Oxford, GA U.S. Army National Guard, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 11 years served

Ken,

I think your post nailed my original thoughts! My concern is I do not want to spend, 5, 8 15 years doing a job that is a dead end. Granted it is up to us (the person looking) to define and plan our paths to success, I simply do not want to put tons of energy into a career that will lead to no where fast.

With that being said, after some preliminary research, I believe Project Management is a field I find interesting, wide ranging, and a challenge.

Now to move forward.

Thanks to all.

Grady

ken wayte ⋅ Costa Mesa, CA General Electric ⋅ 30 years experience

Grady, the hard answer is that many people end up working in careers that are not satisfying and it is wonderful that some people end up in just the right job. However, the financial realities force this issue and of all the people I worked with in my career, I would say that the people that are truely in love with what they do is rare. Look at this another way. Will working at something that is just OK provide the means for you to do something that you really love. Does a person who loves rock climbing on weekends really need to find a job climbing rocks? Look at your whole life. Can work at something be the vehicle that provides the resources to do other things that you really like? My hope is that you, and other people, end up in work you truely love and is meaningful. My experience was that the work I did provided me with the time and resources to do other things that I really liked. I was able to retire early and have enjoyed my life and all the things work provided for me, greatly. Good luck and I hope you find something you really like.

Grady B ⋅ Oxford, GA U.S. Army National Guard, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 11 years served

Tara, Brian, and Heather..

Thank you all for the note. It really means quite a bit to hear from professionals with extensive time in your particular industry. It is humbling to know professional growth happens when you least expect it, and at time, from a direction you didn't see coming.

I'm still looking to define my interest and how my last 10 years of experience can best serve the people around me.

I very much appreciate your guidance.

Respectfully,

Grady Brain

Brian Kennedy ⋅ Sterling, MA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Grady,
Someone once told me to take my favorite hobby and make it my career. In essence, do what you love. If you love fishing, start a charter service. If you like hiking start an expedition company. All of this is easier said than done perhaps, but the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. Good luck & go for it and don't worry about success or failure. Hard work is always rewarded. And don't procrastinate.... tomorrow is promised to no one. - Brian

Tara Pangakis ⋅ Andover, MA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 30 years experience

Also, consider people currently have many careers! Read http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704206804575468162805877990.html for more details.

Using free assessment tools, such as https://careerzone.ny.gov/views/careerzone/index.jsf you can also match your personality to occupations.

Grady B ⋅ Oxford, GA U.S. Army National Guard, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 11 years served

John, Leslie, and Rashid,

Thank you all very much for providing your perspective on starting off again to where you are now. Please know I value your information and will put it to good use.

Respectfully,

Grady Brain

Rashid Hill, MPM ⋅ San Diego, CA United States Navy ⋅ 33 years experience

Hello Grady. Wow, there's always lots of great industry experience and advice that go out. That's what I love about this forum. Being a USAF veteran this is so necessary to have contact with industry professionals and veteran entrepreneurs that were exactly where you were at one time.

I will speak to you from a Career coaching angle since this is my area. You have to first assess where you are. Did you get the job you applied for or you got what was open? Would you say it is a good fit for you? I would venture to say that like many people that spend 10+ years in or around the military learn to have a great experience and translate those skills and experience into a way to transition into a second career. Additionally, many military personnel find that their skills are in demand if they used their time to enhance what the military gave them training on. If this is you, increasing your value by staying current on industry trends prior to your departure from the ANG, increasing your knowledge in one area or the other while you are still in the ANG. This is critical to your direction after you leave the ANG.

To keep it short in this block, I want to offer you a few ideas. In this day and time, you will find that consultants that are legitimate experts in certain fields are in high demand. The advantage that military veterans have is we normally have an excellent work ethic, flexible with location and have a wealth of actionable information. This only happens if you engage in increasing your personal and professional development while in the military. You have to find your strengths. What pulls at you the most. I always ask my clients what do they like to do, what are you good at and what would your colleagues say you are good at? Think about this, in 2018 I will be... These are a few ways to uncover what moves you toward one thing or another. I can point you to some assessments at this site for more helpful information. You can also email me. Always remember, "If you find a career that you love, you will never work a day in your life."

In friendship,

Rashid Hill
l3.thebrand@gmail.com

John Stevens ⋅ Middletown, MD ⋅ 20 years experience

Grady,
I believe Claudia and Charlie are right on target. There's nothing wrong with believing your passion is serving in the armed forces. Remember that this is a journey and to continually assess what really motivates you. Understanding your passion will become clearer and clearer. Then your ability to translate your passion outside uniformed service will be easier.

Good luck - John

Grady B ⋅ Oxford, GA U.S. Army National Guard, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 11 years served

Claudia and Charlie, thank you both for answering my question. I guess the reason for my question is because I've yet to really find something that is as interesting and rewarding as my service has been thus far. My question has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time and figured ACP Advisornet would be the place to ask.

Again thanks for your time.