Be a professional and launch a career; don’t just look for a job!

A job is different from a career. A job can be temporary and is often a stopgap to pay the bills. A career is not temporary. A career is something that grows from a foundation of education, passion and perseverance with mile markers, achievements and an increasing skill base.   Refocusing on a career instead of a job is a shift in your paradigm, or the way you think about your working situation. Jason Aba, CEO of Jibberjobber, showcases the different viewpoints you take when looking at a career perspective vs. the job search in a recent post.  

 

Many students of all ages, from varied academic programs, and differing experience levels pass by the doors of the Beckfield College Career Services offices looking for jobs rather than focusing on their careers. When they ask about a career, usually their first two questions are, “How much will I make when I graduate?” and “What is the job security like in this field?” These are valid questions, but they should not be the primary focus.

 

Having an education and marketable skills to build upon enables you the opportunity to move up or within an organization. A career provides you a better financial picture for the long term instead of only the immediate future.

 

As for job security, the only security is how you market yourself to your field of choice and how you keep your skills up-to-date. Job security has always been a misnomer – it has never really existed. Wikipedia defines job security as depending “more upon the economy and business conditions than in most countries because of the capitalist system and the minimal government intervention in businesses.”

 

People get so used to the “job” mentality that it is difficult to switch out of it. In fact, many do not realize that they are in such a mode and that there is a different way to operate.

 

You cannot start or advance your career using a “job” mentality; you must begin to see yourself as a professional and then act as one. Think about how you act in class. Do you turn in your assignments on time? How do you treat your team members? Do you contribute to group projects? All of these things are going to look different from someone who is furthering their career than from someone who is trying to get a job.

 

Everyone knows that when you are searching for a position you must have a positive attitude. It simply means that you must have a professional attitude.  Visualize yourself as a professional. Act as a professional. You will be a professional and ready to start your career and a future rich with new opportunities. 

 

Julie Stockman, Corporate Career Services Director, Beckfield College