I was reading an interview with one of NASA's top Antarctic scientists, Robert Bindschadler. His team was the first to set foot on Antarctica's global warming hotspot -- Pine Island Glacier, one of the most dangerous places on Earth. He was asked, "What made you want to be a glaciologist in the first place."
He answered, "I was trained as a physicist at the University of Michigan but didn't have the fire to work in the basements of physics labs. Then I discovered that I really enjoyed books on mountains, especially ones with snow and ice on them. I came across a book called The Physics of Glaciers by Stan Paterson which I read in one night. Once I realized that there was a field glaciology . . . I haven't looked back since."
His answer made me think of my own career development, a similar situation when I was teaching in Turkey.
I was 25 years old, recently married, and searching for a career that might better fit me. A friend loaned me a book, On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy by Carl Rogers -- I was fascinated and excited! Counseling made sense; felt right; and I began my career in the field . . .
Professional career counselors see this a lot and are trained to help you. Our websites give you give you solid advice and exercises, based on the best practices and science of the field.
A lot really depends your openness to experience, being an active learner and explorer -- and using your values and interests as your career compass.
Does this statement ring true to you?
1 comment:
This post absolutely rings true. One of the inhibitors to this process is thinking that your values and interests are not business like and don't deserve consideration as valid career choices. If you are open to ideas and are willing to explore, choices will open up for you.
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