Work + Money

Whether you’re a soon-to-be college grad or a long-time worker bee who doesn’t know what you want to be when you grow up, career inspiration doesn’t always come in a dream or in one of those AHA! moments we hear so much about. Sometimes, as with many good things, you have to look for it. You have to do some work. When you do, you may find the right career for you in unexpected – or at least untapped – places.

To start this journey, I recommend you…

Read. There are a lot of good books out there that take a look at typical and atypical careers. The New York Times’ Shifting Careers columnist Marci Alboher likes “What’s That Job and How the Heck Do I Get It” by David J. Rosen, who looks at a wide range of jobs, the people who are well suited for them, how they broke into the fields, and what it’s like to work in those jobs. Along a similar vein, “Water Cooler Diaries” by Joni Cole includes diary entries by women in a broad array of jobs. In “How’d You Score That Gig,” Alexander Levit looks at 60 jobs and the people in them. Even if none of those jobs interest you, it could spark an idea for something similar – or completely different. Reading does that. And there’s always “What Color is Your Parachute,” revised annually and a best seller for a reason. Richard Bolles provides useful exercises, tools, and advice for figuring out the kind of work you want to do and how to pursue it.

Surf. Also known as research, web-style. A good starting point on the web is TheCareerProject.org, where you can scroll through 1,800 job profiles written by the people in them. The site is the work of Alicia Schwartz, a former college career counselor. Along with salary info, you’ll find descriptions of a typical day and how the people got the jobs they’re describing. A $4.95 subscription will get you the ability to ask questions of the people who compiled the profiles.

Talk. If politicians can go on listening tours, why can’t you? Seriously, people are more than willing to help just by talking to you about the work they do and how they got to where they are. So if you’re just graduating, take advantage of all those people your parents know and either email them or set up a time to talk on the phone. You’ll get ideas and contacts from the interchanges, I am certain. And if you’re mid-career and reeling from a layoff or thinking of making a move on your own, the same goes for you. Reach out to friends and former colleagues and their contacts (use LinkedIn if you aren't already). Remember, you're not asking for a job, just the chance to talk, ask questions, and share ideas. People love to talk about themselves, and to help.

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