Jackie Cameron - Coaching and Communication

Could say something corny like “Gone Fishin’” but will resist.

Back soon

I have been putting together an e-hints and tips for new graduates thingie ( I still have to decide whether it is a book/document/flyer/sheet….tying myself in knot on it) and my friends over at HR Bloggers have pitched in with some good advice. When I logged in today I found this one from Dan - and with his permission I have reproduced what he says in its entirety here because I am so taken by

 a) his different take on the question and

  b)the passion and wisdom in his advice

Thanks Dan

ADVICE TO NEW COLLEGE GRADUATE: Don’t listen to HR Bloggers until you have lived a little.

First, I am not arguing that all of the advice in the above posts is good career advice. In fact, I am sure it is excellent career advice. However, that is not the title of this post. The post is about advice to give to new college graduates. So with much respect to all of the respondents, here is my way of pissing in your cereal.

Very few people know exactly what they want to do out of college. If this is you….you are normal. Didn’t do the “right” internship while you were in college? Have no clue what the hell your “passion” is? While you stay in touch with “Moose” or “Sully” from your frat, they probably don’t count as a networking opportunity? This is all normal…no matter what HR people tell you. YOU, as a new college graduate, have an opportunity that you will never have again in your life: To do something without any concern for money or career advancement and just for “the fun of it”.

For me, I joined the Army. Admittedly not for everyone. However, I wanted to do something that barely anyone I knew was doing. I signed up after 9/11 knowing I would go to either Iraq or Afghanistan. I did this because of a firm belief that everyone deserves good leadership and talent and when I looked around at all the “smart” kids no one was doing it. I never considered the Army as a career, however it was something I wanted to do. I signed up, joined the Infantry, went to Airborne School and Ranger School, and swiftly went to Iraq for a year. I learned things in Iraq that would have taken me years to learn in the private sector: Standing on principle when people make the wrong decisions, Realization that even though you made the right decisions it doesn’t always work out well, and most importantly, where my niche is as a leader.

That was my path and as I said the Army is not for everybody. My best friend followed his girlfriend to Singapore after graduating from Georgetown with a Foreign Affairs degree where he promptly turned his back on everything he learned in college and took a job making TV shows for a Singaporean??? network. He produced, wrote, and directed reality shows and documentaries before finally moving to New York a year ago and getting a job with a small production company. He is currently working on a documentary for Sundance Film Festival on the last Tour de France. Did we look at him in college and say “wow he is going to be a filmmaker.”? No, he had to go on his own personal journey to find this out. No networking, no internships, no passion to follow…just the journey.

As I read even the comments on “Advice to college graduates” I am get the feeling that everyone is leaving something out of their life experiences that drew them to where they are now. Even in Laurie’s post she talks about being a good judge of people and having good instincts. Did she gain these from college or life experience? I would assume that life experience would be the answer (I am wondering where the punk rock comes in and I assume this was not part of her college coursework).

Careers aren’t for everyone. It is ok if it isn’t for you. One of the smartest people I know just wants to run a surf shop in Puerto Rico. He life guards along the California coast saving up money for this dream. YOU might be one of these people. Simply be aware of that fact and try not to make yourself miserable in the meantime.

As HR people (Yes I said YOU people and I meant YOU people), I feel that we get so wrapped up in career progression and acing the interview and writing an excellent resume that we can’t stand letting talent get away. Are we really looking out for the employees self interest? Or is that person just an interesting addition to our talent management strategy or succession plan. Just because someone can succeed in business does that necessarily mean they should? I could do a lot of things and be excellent at them…I just don’t WANT to.

There will be no other time in your life where money matters less than it matters now. You may feel like you are dying in debt, but somehow you are able to afford beer every weekend. I say glorify in this. Join the Peace Corps (little brother is going that route) live in Ghana for a few years doing business development projects or teaching villagers how to brush their teeth properly. Move to a country (any country) and just take whatever job you can find until you find your passion. Follow a rock band around until you stop liking their music. And for God Sakes if an HR manager comes up to you and wants to talk to you about where you fit into THEIR succession planning…RUN! At least until you know their succession plan is crap and you could do it better.

It may be random but I have read a lot of posts lately on what to do if you lose your job.  A couple worth reading are by Dave McQueen and Steve Roesler. Please watch the video linked to  Steve’s post if you haven’t already.

I will never make light of someone losing their job. It happened to me. It was the best thing that could have happened at the time. It made me take a step into the unknown but it was the right thing to do. I was challenged by what to say I did when I met people for the first time  - I am a business owner, coach, trainer, mum…. First and foremost I am me. When I meet people now most are astonished that I was a tax consultant in a previous life. Well, think tax consultant and what comes to mind ? That earned my a decent living - but it did not make me happy.

There is a gloomy feel to the business world right now. Economists and politicians try to  explain it. But the fact is people lose their jobs at any time. They have choices - and let’s get real here - for some people they have to be really practical. Earning a regular salary in a job you hate to keep a roof over your head and put food on the table for your family takes priority over a maybe more “adventurous” route.

But - no matter what your circumstances are now - or might be in the future - take some time to think about the real you and what you have to offer.

…and take small steps from there.

Last week I asked LinkedIn and HR Blogger members what advice they would give to young people setting out on their first jobs . The response was huge and I have spent most of today putting it into some sort of readable and usable format.  At the moment I have a 9 page document - too small for an e-book?

Short post today as I must get back to my editing.

If you are interested in a copy when I do get it done please drop me an e-mail

jackie@consultcameron.com

I have just taken delivery of new curtains. My husband and I ordered them at John Lewis on Sunday. The lovely lady there talked us through the options. She asked us whether we wanted express service. We asked how much more that would cost and she said that there was no extra charge. The curtains would be with me today - Friday - 4 days later.

And indeed they are. Nicely boxed, folded so that they don’t need ironed and with clear instructions for hanging them.

And - and this is why I am so chuffed - with 2 packs of hooks to hang them.

Now I know that those hooks don’t cost much to buy - and cost even less for JL to supply - but what a great touch! The curtains I am taking down already have hooks but they did not take that for granted.

Isn’t it nice when you get something more than you thought you were getting.

Applies in the workplace just as much as it does to customer service.

How about delivering more than you promised today!