Loading ...Kyle Bernstein
When it comes to work, there are a few types of people. There are the ones who take a job to pay the rent while preparing for their dream job. You know the ones; receptions or even strippers in law school, and bartenders who aspire to be writers. In fact, there are so many of these individuals in New York City, that people joke about it: “You’re an actor? Which restaurant do you work in?” Because many talented artists come to New York, business owners rely on them to fill niche jobs that many career-oriented folks wouldn’t take, like ushering at theatres, bike messengering, or telemarketing. These jobs allow them the flexibility to go on auditions or travel with touring companies. And thank goodness, too, that we have these folks to service the plethora of tourists that come to the city every year. Unfortunately, many men and women who come to New York with stars in their eyes, selling candy at nightclubs in the evening and going on auditions during the day never get their big break in show business. Some of these people go back to where from they came. Others find worthwhile day jobs or settle down and move to the suburbs. Some continue on, never giving up on the dream. However, some of those celebrity “wannabes” turn their “interim” jobs into careers. Life has many twists and turns and sometimes we don’t end up where we thought we would or get there in a roundabout way. It is possible to have fulfilling careers that work well with the way your life has evolved.
This brings us to another category: People who turn jobs into careers. This happens frequently in the food industry. A youth takes a job at a fast food restaurant to buy their first car or put themselves through college and decide they actually like it. In casual restaurants, a minimum amount of training is required and procedures tend to change very little from year to year. This is a good environment for a high school or college student whose schedule changes frequently or who is only able to work during semester breaks. At the same time, these jobs can nurture structure, foster management skills, and provide students with tools essential to their future growth, whatever career they choose. Often times, people grow into jobs, get promoted, and are encouraged to continue at their current capacity, or to a larger degree within the same company. Many successful management professionals began as clerks or were snapped up by the corporate office as a stock boy. In fact, this was quite common in past generations where most were not expected to go to college and the fortunate ones had a relative with a steady job who could bring them into the factory after high school. It’s rare today to work only one job in an entire lifetime, especially in larger cities where there is a constant influx of new talent. Many people have a nonspecific career goal and are fortunate to have the ability to work in different aspects of their chosen industry.
One last group of professionals frequently encountered is those who hold several jobs throughout their career in a variety of segments of their preferred field. To get the most of wherever their education and experience have taken them, these ladies and gentlemen continue to grow and better themselves. These are the up-and-comers who are perpetually trying to better themselves to move ahead or just to learn more about what they do and how to do it better. In fact, this last category actually includes many folks from the other groups. Regardless of how you came upon your current working situation, putting your personality into your job and making that work with your personal life can make our short time on earth a much more pleasurable and worthwhile experience. To that end, this series will explore how to make the most of your career and, in turn, of yourself. In future installments, we’ll explore networking, volunteering, and other off-the-clock activities that can put you out there to be your best during work hours and beyond.
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