Choosing a career

"Career-Mind-map-Chalk" by flazingo_photos

A month ago I started working with a career coach. What I like about her is that she's a mother and she has worked in human resources before. I always wanted to see and understand the perspective from the other side of the barricade. She is either very compassionate or she really appreciates my diverse background. 

There's a perceived sense of urgency around getting quickly into the job market after graduation. That does not give people the chance of really getting to know what they enjoy doing. How can you have a clear idea of what you really like and you're good at if you don't try out a few careers at least? Some time ago I saw a TEDx speech of a young woman, Emma Rosen, who, after starting her career with the wrong foot, decided to take a year off to try to write down a list of jobs she could see herself doing and then try them. The result is that she learned a lot along the way. Jobs that looked very appealing on the surface had some major disadvantages or were not as easy as they seemed. In the end she found her path, her true purpose. She can now go to work, her eyes glowing with joy, because that's what she loves to do.

I can't say I had the same exact experience, but truth is that moving to Amsterdam and finding a job here was not as easy as I expected. The first months I worked hard to get to a basic level of the Dutch language while I was looking for a job. I was lucky enough to find working opportunities that even if temporary (they were time limited projects in companies facing restructuring or financial difficulties) were in line with what I enjoyed doing. In those uncertain times I tried other experiences.

Creating with my hands

One of my first experience was cooking. My creativity and passion for food could finally find an outlet. What I didn't know is how business owners in the catering industry can be moody and edgy and make it hard to create an atmosphere of trust and comfort. I didn't know how despite rules and regulations chefs, especially when working alone, had no time or chance to sit down to rest. I realised how little creative this job feels when you have to prepare the same meals over and over again for days in a row. That's when I decided that this job is not for me. I do like cooking and baking but I'm much happier when I do it as a hobby. It helps me to steam off which makes it even more rewarding.

Teaching singing

Singing is another story. I've been singing since I was a child. I enjoy singing and teaching very much but I prefer to do it as a side activity. One thing that teaching singing showed me is that I'm good at making people feel at ease and empowered. It taught me that I'm good at simplifying ideas to make them more understandable. I felt the same when I had the opportunity to manage online communities and social media channels. I'm a good listener and observer. For this reason I'm good at understanding and anticipating the needs of users and as a result engaging them.

Writing stories

Also I got to learn my passion for writing. I like to play with words, to convey a clear message that is easy to read and effective too. I enjoy storytelling. I often think of creative ways to share information and ideas.

Content management and community management are my thing, are my purpose. That's what I learned in all these years of experiences in different roles and industries. I know it, you know it (at least I think you do by now). I'm just waiting for the right opportunity to come along so that I can grasp it with both hands, because that's what I was meant to do.