A couple weeks ago, I officially became an old person.
I went back to my old high school for career day.
I can’t believe I looked like that when I was in high school, btw. I used to think I was like so old and mature. Have the kids these days like gotten smaller, or what’s the deal? Some of them looked 11.
Anyway, I’ve been wanting to speak at career day for a while now, but something’s always come up. So this year I was extremely excited to be there.
I had the opportunity to speak to three classes of Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.
Three classes minus the 6 or 7 students who fell asleep during my presentation. Thanks, guys.
It was really an opportunity for me to tell them a bit about what I do, and to then talk about how I got there.
I also wanted to talk about college life. So I talked about college and I told them the typical…don’t do drugs, don’t drink. Ok let’s face it….you WILL drink. You WILL try things. But you will do it at your HOUSE…you will NOT get in a car…or I will FIND you… and I will SLAP you….the end.
I’m pretty convincing.
So then I talked to them about Supply Chain!
I talked to them about my job as a Contract Administrator!
To start off, I asked them if any of them even knew what Supply Chain is.
Not a single soul had a clue.
I went ahead and explained to them about my daily job functions. I explained to them some of the skills that you need to do the job really well. I explained to them a bit about the education and experience you need to land a job in that arena.
And THEN at the very end I asked them… I said, “Okay, so how many of you think my job is interesting?!”
And not one hand went up in the air.
So okay…they may not LIKE the idea of a career in Supply Chain, but at least they know what it is now. At least they’ve been exposed to a new career option, and they’ve narrowed down their list of future job prospects.
This got me thinking a bit. I realized that most students these days are clueless about most professions. It seems that they think their only options are:
- teacher
- doctor
- police officer
- lawyer
All of these are great professions, but there are SO MANY OTHER THINGS OUT THERE!
So I’ve decided to launch a new Gen Y Girl Career Series on the blog. My goal is to feature individuals on a weekly basis so that they can share their careers with us. What is it that they exactly do? Do they like it? Do they hate it? What makes their job so cool?
Because let’s face it. Most of us growing up had ZERO idea about life and what we wanted to do for a living.
LOL most of us STILL have zero idea about life and what we want to do for a living.
So I think that this series might be somewhat educational.
Like, who knew you could be a beekeeper? Like, there’s actually an ASSOCIATION for beekeepers.
I look forward to sharing some very interesting career options with all of you, and if any of you would like to participate, please fill out the contact form HERE and let me know why you’d like to be a part of this adventure!
Other stuff you might like:
- Generation Y Redefines Success
- How To Be Rich in Your Twenties
- The 5 Most Valuable Lessons Grad School Taught Me
- Pursue a Lifestyle, Not a Job
- Why It’s Okay to Be Excited About the Awesome Stuff You’re Doing
- Why We Need to Get Over Our Fear of Rejection
- Don’t Wait, Be Happy Now
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I use to do customer service, retail, and now I’m a stay at home mom. Definitely would love to have a “at home job”. But that’s impossible lol
What a great idea! I had the feeling in high school like what am I going to do. You never learn about the thousands of careers paths there are, then when you get to college you learn about a few dozen of them. There are just soooooo many. High School could definitely do more to expose the students to the types of jobs out there other than the most known dozen.
i had no idea my job was even an option until it practically fell right in my lap.
I did email you about this – I hope my answers were okay! Great idea <3
This is a great post! I just turned 50 and still trying to change careers. I am a reading teacher, and want a career in the fashion industry. I started my fashion blog last Aug…its going well and getting noticed, no new job yet, but hoping it leads to it soon. It is my dream to have my own fashion label….I ‘ve been sewing since 13 years and starting to design. Thanks for this inspiration..best to you!
Valerie
Beekeeper sounds dangerous! Supply chain manager – not so much 🙂 Don’t take teenagers too seriously – they have to get up way to early and really shouldn’t be expected to pay attention if they aren’t getting quizzed on it. Hopefully you gave at least one student something to be interested in later down the road!
I have no idea ha! This makes me sad bc I have 2 weeks left in my 20’s and I still have like a million things I want to be when I ‘grow up’…this drives my husband crazy! But I guess that’s what happens when you run off and get married at 20 and have a bunch of kids lol. At least I went to college and got a Master’s. Thanks for sharing! Have a great week! xx Ashleigh @SimplyWright
It’s awesome that you taught them about a different career option that they could have! Even if it seemed like no one was interested, maybe it’ll spark someone’s curiosity later on down the line and they’ll look back and think, “Oh yeah! I actually remember hearing about this in high school!”
I love the idea of your Gen Y Girl Career series! :] I’m in medical school and working on becoming a family physician (with hopeful emphasis in either-or-both underserved populations + sports medicine), so I don’t know that I’d qualify for this since I’m not actually working yet, but if anyone’s interested in learning more about the process, it’d be fun to share! 😛
Nice idea!! I look forward to reading more about different careers from other people!
Good for you! I wish I had figured this out in time – I still don’t know what it is I should do / have done!
I love this idea! As a freshman in college, I’m really looking forward to these posts! I agree that in high school it feels like our options are very limited and I’m amazed as I’m starting to be introduced to amazing careers that I had previously never heard of.
This is great and I’ll definitely be sending you a submission soon! I have a degree in education, but do something not-so-typical with it. 😀
What a fantastic idea! I’m a housewife and stay at home mum now but was a banker, I had no idea how diverse banking was when I started, in the end I was working in cash management which is pretty specialised and aimed at corporates! Couldn’t have told you what it was on my first day!
I also think its a good idea to let people know you can be just as worthwhile as a stay at home parent as its often belittled! X
My job is to be a stay at home mama. I was just reading a book about the supply chain and free trade to my three month old! looks like we rare ahead of the curve.
LOL isn’t that weird to think that we are officially “Grown ups” ?! My boyfriend just went to our old middle school’s career day. He’s 27 and he said it was so weird, but so awesome! I remember my old career day like it was yesterday. It’s amazing how fast time flies.
I absolutely LOVE that you started this series. As a young mom who graduated college in less than 4 years (with high honors), was recognized as one of 9 PR interns across the country destined for success and has received two promotions at one of Michigan’s leading integrated PR firms (all under the age of 25), I’m here to prove that no matter what challenges life throws your way, you can achieve anything you want if you have the dedication and perseverance to succeed. I’d love to share my back story and help others learn more about a career in PR. If you’re open to the idea, I’ll send you an email with my interest soon.
Being a stay at home mom of three kids and in college you would think I would know what I want to do after the kids all get in school but I have no clue. Can’t wait to read all of the submissions
Well you’ve certainly had your hands full! Never too late to start something new, though. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you’ll stop by on Monday for the first post!! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I’m 24 and in a career and I STILL don’t know what I want to do when I grow up!!
And that’s totally ok! I think I change my mind about 3 times a day. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you’ll check back on Monday for the first post in the series!! 🙂
I think this is going to be a great series. I’d love to participate but due to the nature of the business I work in, there isn’t much to talk about other than where I work and the types of things we do but that’s about it. (securities regulator)
I think this would have been insightful for me reading before I went off to college. After high school, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do and I ended up taking a year off to work and figure that out. Almost 13 years later and I’m on my second professional job, the first was a huge law firm and I was there for almost 5 years before I burnt out. And now, I’m currently still at my second place of professional employment.
That said, I think what I do and what anyone should realise – you don’t have to be stuck doing one job or career. Heck, I have a part time job pet sitting and dog walking and that’s ultimately what I want to be doing full time when I “early retire” from here with a decent earned pension that I’ll thank myself for when I’m 65. This corporate BS, it’s just go go go and I can’t stand this crazy stupid north American pace. It’s insane. No wonder so many people burn out.
I found you months ago but found you again. I’ll be continue to read 🙂
xo
Lindsay
Lindsay!!! I couldn’t have said it any better!! It’s so true. First of all, no, you DON’T have to be stuck doing one job forever. How boring is that?? And yea, this fast-paced never-stop-working mentality is driving us all to total burn-out. Wish more people and more companies would realize this. Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you’ll check back soon! Have a wonderful weekend, girl! 🙂
Kayla, there are so many interesting jobs out there that most people never hear of. I think this is a great idea!
I love this…really kewl idea! I am a reading teacher, but trying to follow my passion and transition to a fashion career, starting a blog was a step in the right direction. NO big break yet, but I am confident it will come soon. I love sewing and creating, so yeah we all need to follow our passion! I would love to contribute..thanks for sharing this!!
Valerie
I am the mother of a teen and I think your style is great for your audience, even though the F makes me cringe just a bit. If you had left it out of the title I would be sharing this!
Man, I think I changed my mind at least 7 times on what I want to do with my life just in the past 4 years. I’m still floating all over with new things I wanna do but I’ve narrowed it down a bit more. It’s all so crazy.