Admiration

Question

I really admire seeing so many women joining together and discussing their work issues. It's just so motivating to see you all working hard in different fields. I feel like I can do whatever position I set my mind to do. I just don't know what that is... I want to work with women, empower women and not have to struggle from living pay check to pay check. How did you all get to the position you have today? How did you know you wanted it in the first place? I'm just stuck on which steps to take next. Thanks!

Amber-li · Answer

I am in the same boat as you. So clueless and currently needed just about any job to be on someone's payroll and just took a retail position which is, to me, below my standard of pay at this point as a bachelor's degree holder. My advice is to take a serious assessment of your strengths talent skills abilities just to narrow down some industries or positions relevant or 'doable' to your personality and know what you also DON'T want (I.e instability, bad culture, no room for growth/advancement, insufficient living funds).

It helps to know what you will NOT tolerate or just dont want to do

Hope I helped I just feel more intelligent lately on job searching as a woman seeking for 'that' seemingly elusive but prob right 'under my nose' this whole time work opportunity.

Jillian Post · Answer

I’ll take a run at your first question. I believe at least some of us got where we are today by paying hefty dues (not literally).  Since it’s not good to speak for a group but better to speak for oneself, I’ll just say that it has been an arduous journey with some incredible highs and lows along the way. I’ve been incredibly tenacious. While attending school for my undergraduate and postgraduate  programs, I always worked (usually more than one job).  I was a single foster mom and business owner while completing my undergraduate degree .... I did all this stuff and had all these experiences so I could hone in on exactly what I wanted to do. I didn’t really know but knew that I needed to keep busy and learn stuff. It’s worth noting that, I too started (many “moons” ago) with a “What Color is My Parachute” class.  I don’t exactly remember what my results were, only that I was meant to do something creative ... which I have always done. Here’s my point. Put one foot in front of the next and get going. You’ve got “paralysis of analysis”. I know, because I’ve been mired in it several times. 
Trust yourself. Don’t focus so much on an answer but instead, the journey. It’s counterintuitive and some would think, poor advice. But do you want a job? Or do you want an adventure? That might be the biggest question. I am so disappointed when I see coaches miss the mark and try and work out some formulaic answer for someone (the good ones know about self determination and don’t do that). If we want a gratifying life and career, we must experience ownership and learn how to use our personal agency.  There is no easy answer. Now all I need to do is keep remembering this myself!!!

ShellyB · Answer

If truly have no direction, start back with What Color is My Parachute which has you outline what matters to you and what inspires you, etc.  You use this as a framework to start to figure out where you are happiest.  Outside?  Lots of light?  At a party, which group do you join easiest?   Sure, some stuff is a little corny, but it gets you thinking and helps to saver time in the job search!  Next- find a group in your area which helps women in some capacity and join.  Get the ideas flowing about where you might be able to use this passion to find employment.   Companies have ERGs now for women, diversity officers, etc.  Having the interest and then learning more about yourself might be the best first step!  Good luck- you came to the right place in any case!  Companies on this site are interested in hiring more women or they would not be here.

Lady Pele · Answer

I was heading down one educational track, but when I took an Intro to Computing class, I loved writing the little program in the class.  I researched IT and discovered it was an area when women could succeed and where the growth potential was huge.  I changed over to an IT focus and became a programmer, systems analyst and then a project manager.

If I were looking for a new career today, I would Google 'fastest growing jobs this decade' or 'best high paying jobs of the future' and see what's hot and if any appealed to me.  Then I would research the educational requirements and options, locations of most jobs, cost of living in those areas, and finally research companies hiring and what others have to say about them.  I would use this site, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, etc. to really round out my research.

Good luck and all success to you!

Crystal Rhineberger · Answer

Honestly ever position I have had whether home maker or worker has been a lay it out on paper. Forecast a budget, work with what I have coming in. Realizing pay extra on something could make the next months easier. Making extra money needed to be addressed to immediate needs or long term. 
Alot of my time is laying out numbers whether pay or hours and figuring it all out from there

Susan Smoter · Answer

Early in my career, which took a completely different direction than I'd imagined (English major that ended up working in IT), I took a class that taught me to do career planning. At that point, I didn't know much about fields and qualifications, so that helped me do research to plot a course, which I followed and did well. There is so much available help online and I recommend starting with glassdoor and linkedin jobs to read profiles of people who are working in areas you think would be a good match or of interest. From the job postings and profiles, you can see what education is required, typical job paths, etc. And, finally, the most important thing you can do is apply for stretch jobs. I always did and was successful at getting interesting new things to do and learn in this way. Also, you must network! People are an excellent resource. Get on Linkedin if you're not there and reach out to people in jobs you aspire to get for advice. People are generally very open to helping in this way.

Ayybeecee 09 · Answer

Yes! Thank you that really did help! I just feel so stuck but I think  writing down my strengths and knowing what I don't want will definitely help. Good luck to you too!

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