When I decided to retire from the military, I found myself asking, “what’s next.” I really wasn’t sure what I would do next. You see, before I joined the military, I only had two previous jobs.
That’s right! Two jobs and I was fired from one of the jobs! Yes, I was fired from my part-time job at a fast-food restaurant, but that is a story for another time.
My second job was a college work-study job making copies on a mimeograph machine. I know you are wondering what a mimeograph is. Well, it is a low-cost duplicating machine. I would spend 20 hours per week, printing classroom materials. It was not a demanding job, but it helped to pay my bills.
So, I guess you have a better understanding of my dilemma as I contemplated retirement. I really didn’t have a clue what my next career should be. The one thing I did know was I needed help to figure out my next steps.
Over the next several months, I worked with two placement agencies to help me identify how my skills aligned with potential careers. After conducting several informational interviews and a short stint in retail, I became an educator.
I absolutely love my second career. Every career begins in a k-12 classroom. As an educator, I have the privilege of raising up the next generation of leaders.
When I became a teacher, I had no desire to leave the classroom. I thought I would retire as a teacher; however, God had a different plan. After a couple of years, I was presented with the opportunity to move into administration.
During my educational career, I have had the privilege to serve in several leadership positions. Every time I consider a new opportunity, I always go back to the steps I learned when I transitioned from the military.
So, what steps did I follow?
- Identify the tasks you currently perform that you enjoy as well as the tasks you don’t enjoy
- Identify and apply your passions to your career
- Conduct informational interviews to research potential careers
- Continue to do a great job in your present position
Remember what a wise woman once said,
“Find out what you like doing best, and get someone to pay you for doing it.”
Katharine Whitehorn
So, what’s the next step for your career?
Your leadership guide,
Kim
Dr. Kim Moore | Your Leadership Guide | kimdmoore.com
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