Rediscovering YOU in a Job Market Crisis

Rediscovering YOU

in a Job Market Crisis

By
Dr. Ellie Corigliano

Using your creative nature to establish a line of work that can be financially sound, can be quite challenging in a culture that promotes “stay within the lines”.

When we go to school, elementary through to graduate school, we are told what to do, what to learn, how to apply it and when we are allowed, or not allowed to use it.

In today’s job crisis, “staying within the lines” is no longer a viable behavior.

Americans are losing jobs that they have been trained to do, that they are comfortable doing, and that promised them a secure future. And let’s face it, most jobs were designed for a behavior of “do what you are told to do and get compensated for it”. The majority of Americans are trained to follow, not to lead. Which I want to express is OKAY, leading is not for everyone, and they too are losing their jobs, but knowing yourself and your abilities is something we can all do.

It is time for laid off Americans, and those "not- laid- off" Americans, to acknowledge themselves in a new light.

I don’t want to pretend to be an expert on this topic, rather I would simply like to share some thoughts on how to uncover your creativity within your network of established skills and use them to discover a world of new possibilities that empower you for success.

When you go through school, or work at a job for a long period of time, your brain creates a neural network of behaviors, memories, skills, responses, and so forth that become very complex and intertwined, and quite difficult to alter once established…..the whole “can’t teach an old dog new tricks” cliché. To disengage from this network will take some effort but the outcome will provide growth, motivation, self-confidence and possibilities.

Begin by finding a quiet space, a pen and paper, or your computer, clear your mind and start listing your work skills. These skills can range from anything that seems trivial like answering phones, to sophisticated skills like computer programming. For example;

Internet Researching

Map making

Typing
Data entry
Microsoft office- Word, Powerpoint, Excel….
Networking
Organizing

Following through
Initiating ideas
Public speaking
Working with numbers
Etc….

Once you have done this, and make it long, list everything you may normally take for granted, make a list of your closest friends and family and list their skills as best you can. Remember, it takes a team to make a better you (prior article). Knowing what your friends/family are able to do can help you create a larger world of possibilities for yourself. The third thing, make a list of the things you enjoy doing, your hobbies, your aspirations, your “time off” activities. Ask for help in making these lists. Others who know you best can see things in you that you may not consider, like being a listener.

Now try to think about a concept I call “Circular Living”, where your daily living is a converging experience of thoughts and actions, where your hobbies, your interests and your visual image of yourself guide your career path so that your income is generated by your life work, and not just a job.

This job crisis in America is an opportunity that can unveil a side of you that has been lost in the fast pace of keeping up.

Take all the listed information and piece together as many scenic puzzles as you can. The more you play with the information, the more you will find you can add to the lists. Have fun with this. This is your time to grow and expand and re-define yourself.

Remember the way of progress is neither swift nor easy, but perseverance, dedication, patience, compassion, courage and confidence will lead you to prosperity.

Ellie Corigliano, Ph.D.

Dr. Corigliano is the founder of Bionysis (Biological Nutritional Systems), which is designed to integrate scientific research with clinical application for targeted nutritional intervention. She works with patients and their medical practitioner in diagnostics through suggested testing complimented with lifestyle consultation for complete health. Dr. Corigliano is also a lecturer at UCSB where she received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Additionally, she is a mentor for Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) where she mentors on women’s issues concerning career pursuits in science. She also mentors on issues of establishing a family and raising children while pursuing a career.

You can meet Dr. C in person at the International Women's Festival in Santa Barbara, California on March 8, 2009 where she is presenting on a panel "So You Want to Live to be 100?"

http://www.womensfestivals.org/

Building Skills by Doing, by Patty DeDominic

Today I had a chance to listen to presentations by experts on Crime Prevention and Gangs on the California Central Coast at a meeting of the World President's Organization. The Chief of Police, the Executive Director of the Police Assistance League and the Director of Youth CineMedia, an organization which gives kids opportunities to learn film making shared some of their accomplishments and challenges with about 40 business leaders. Each had an important story to tell and talked about the importance of community getting involved in helping solve local problems and challenges regarding public safety and crime. Most of the remarks today were focused on concerns about gang violence and prevention and each of the professionals invited input and community leaders' support.

The work that committed adults can do to help kids is endless! But there is MAGIC that can happen when adults show interest in kids, particularly those at risk of failing in school or getting into serious trouble. If you care about your own community and want to meet some fabulous new people and help others with their potential, perhaps this is something you want to get involved in.

Learning by Doing As in the age old "on the job training" there is no better way to become proficient and confident at something which could end up as a job or important career step. What are YOU doing to build your own skills utilizing new technologies? Consider getting involved as a volunteer in youth activities..... you'll gain new skills and provide a much needed resource in your community.

One such Youth program is YOUTH CineMedia, whose tag line is "creating change through the lens of today's youth" www.youthcinemedia.org
Located in Santa Barbara, California, this important not for profit is helping kids gain valuable skills and is keeping them stimulated in the process. To be able to edit video is a skill that will lead to creative expression and could lead to a lucrative career. This year several of the kids films will be shown at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

I encourage all professionals to build their own skills by doing. I also encourage you to consider following in the path of some of America's leading corporations and philanthropies, like AT&T, Young President's Organization and the Women's Fund of Santa Barbara by getting involved with youth programs.