Job seeker asks: should I keep looking for the perfect field?

Hi Jason,

I am looking for some advice on a career change. I saw your article on the Northwestern University alumni website on the difference between job candidates and job getters and checked out your website, which made me think you would have some good insight on my situation.

I’m going through a career change a la What Color Is Your Parachute? and am trying to identify the field and occupation I would like to pursue. On one hand, according to the book’s instructions, I’m looking for a field that combines my main interests in art, different cultures and travel. On the other hand, through informational interviewing, I’ve become very drawn to the idea of working at an NGO to help disadvantaged people meet their basic needs. Do you think it’s better to see what my options are in the NGO world or to keep trying to find the ideal field, even if it doesn’t exist? And do you feel it’s better to try to combine all of your passions into one career, or combine most of them in your day job and keep the rest for outside activities?

Any thoughts or suggestions you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
O

O,

1. For starters, if you didn’t already see these, check out the following articles on passion and finding yourself.

2. You’re asking the wrong question! Don’t look for an occupation, look for people you enjoy being around and—this next part has to come from within you—an opportunity to focus and dive into your work; to lose yourself. Your occupation will find you…

3. …which, by the way, it already has. Forget the book’s instructions. Look at your past work history and your reaction to the informational meetings. [Note to readers: O's background is not posted here because it is unique enough to make O identifiable, but it includes, smack between two jobs that are "appropriate" for O's major, a stint working with parents of children with disabilities.] There is a clear trend of helping people! Maybe it’s an NGO, not-for-profit, or business that serves an underprivileged community. Who knows—who cares? Engage, and if your first move isn’t right, in time, you’ll find yourself pulled to a position that’s a “more perfect” fit. You won’t even have to try, it’ll happen naturally.

4. For the record, there is no book on the planet that will solve your problems. (Not even mine, as good as it is.) If you ever find yourself choosing between the lessons from a book and your own experiences, unless it’s a book on statistics, choose your experiences.

O, I hope this helps!
Yours,
Jason
Get the job. Keep the job. Grow the job.

Jason Seiden is Co-founder and CEO of Ajax Social Media, a training company that shows professionals how use social media to work more effectively.