Self Value - Empower it.

Experience and Education is not just for the prospective employer to evaluate - its something for you to consider as you review your own value and consider what to do with it.

My son started his first job yesterday. I did my best to hold in the excitement and fear and awe I was experiencing, and just kept it to sound and reasonable advice – and a “just the facts Ma’am” tone. I mean, consider the alternative...me whipping out the camera and taking a photo of him with his new boss...it ran through my brain I assure you.

Walking him through the whole application process, interview tips and advice, what to wear, say, do...I thought back to my first job, the horrid uniform, the awkwardness of learning new things; the lessons from those Salad Bar/Hostess days are ones I still consider in my work today – work ethic, customer service, dependability, and that I look terrible in Maroon.

My son won’t always be a dishwasher (This is me praying) – this job will not be his last and is certainly not his passion –it’s the work of the inexperienced. As we gain value through experience and education, we have a right and a responsibility to align ourselves with work we both love and feel productive in – to find work that rewards us financially and interests us enough to enjoy the workday, much more often than not.

The risk is – in my opinion - worth the reward...and the reward of doing work you enjoy is enormous, with untold ramifications: Happier home life, stronger self confidence, positive role modelling for future generations, less stress, better balance, richer financial reward (as oft comes from developing a passion with energy and hard work) – its endless really.

I know I am one of the lucky few who enjoys her work– there are so many who do not...if I had my way I’d love to see everyone realigned into work that both suited their passions and their financial needs. Perhaps I’m naive to think it’s possible or just a little stubborn...but I believe we all can do and be what we choose to do and be. Clearly its not easy, or we’d see more people excited to get to work, but what if it were easy? What would you be doing now if it was easy to choose work that thrilled you?

 

Jennifer Taylor (Formerly Tortorella) is the Director of Information Security and Technology Recruiting with FootBridge Companies in Andover MA. She is also the Co-Director for DWC's Boston North.