November 21, 2014 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings 

   How committed are you moving forward in your life?

   Not too long ago, the governor of the Bank of Canada gave some advice to unemployed youth and students suggesting they volunteer to get some experience instead of just sitting around doing nothing.

   His remarks have generated quite the backlash across the country and many people are disappointed and disgusted with what he said.

  I agree with him, and here’s why.

  What is the basic career advice given to older adults who are downsized out of a job, or who are nearing retirement, or looking for work after retirement?  What are mothers, returning to the workforce after a prolonged absence to raise their children, told?

   They are told to gain experience and re-establish a good employment record, volunteer in a field that interests you.  Once you have some experience and your foot is in the door, your chances of landing a job improve.  The job may be with the organization you volunteer for, and if it isn’t, you have gained a valuable reference as you continue your search.

   So why should it be any different for a student, or anyone of any age who is having trouble landing a job?

   And what it really comes down to isn’t whether there are any jobs.

   At the end of the day, all that matters is how committed you are to your life, career path, and your community.

   I recently read about an entrepreneurial workshop in which the presenter laid out for an attendee the actual dollar and time commitment required for the first year of their proposed business idea (it was a lot!).  The presenter then asked if the attendee was committed enough to spend that much time and money, because if they weren’t, the business wouldn’t last past the first month or hurtle, whichever came first.

   Yes, a paycheque is necessary to live, but how committed are you really to getting it, because if you are really committed to moving forward in your life, you’ll explore any avenue available to get you to where you want to be, even if it means volunteering.  Who knows what doors it may open for you, and directions it may take you.



Beth

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