Friday, February 8, 2008

what color is my parachute?

I supposed it is a good thing that the business unit that I am in are spending money on employee training.

In the past two months, everybody in our business unit (except for the new hires that did not sign up in time) went to a DiSC assessment.

In the last three days, everybody were again, mandated to attend a training called "Creating a culture of Commitment Accountability Workshop".

Except, the more I learned about myself, the more I felt like my current position does not make best use of my skills and does not suit my interests. However, it does push me out of my comfort zone and I am learning a new skill every day.

I was planning on going back to school to get an M.B.A., but in light of this recent findings, I am not sure if I want to go through with that plan anymore.

The thought of another career change does scares me a little. I have spent A LOT of time, energy and tears to get to where I am now.

Decisions, decisions, decisions... how I long to be a child again some days.

3 comments:

R said...

figure it out before you spend the time, money, and energy. . . i got my master's in social work and i'm now working as a nanny. not that i regret going to grad school; that experience informs a lot of who i now am. . . but don't go into something you're not totally committed to, something you're not totally sure will fulfill you.

asoon said...

yeah I hear ya. I really need to decide if I should put that money towards retirement, a masters, or another undergrad degree. thanks for the advice!

Names Don said...

You know me, I've read every business and leadership book I could get my hands on. Most of the time, they all preach the same message: find your strengths and be a leader.

I struggled at my last job with a lack of passion and motivation. At first, the leadership was rewarding and I built a team and product that made me proud. But as time went by, all the training and assessments didn't divulge that without a passion for your work, everything else seemed secondary.

I regret some of the decisions I've made, career wise, for one not exploring my passion of aviation as a career. Nevertheless, over time I found my strengths and applied them. I was bored with design and wanted to get into improving processes that I felt our company was weak in. I then found I enjoyed mentoring people who were young and driven like myself. However, once you apply these skills, if you do not have the interest to maintain that passion, you need to move on.

I worked at MC/NS for 5 years and it is still difficult to feel 'like a new guy' in my new post and not feeling like I have ownership in things yet. But my passion feels revived and with each meeting I see areas where I can apply my knowledge to improve the business.

My advice is the longer you sit on guilt and lack of motivation, the further your roots bury themselves into your cubicle floor.