The Same but Different

I hear people mention a lot that they are unhappy with their jobs. It got me to pondering. . . .

I realized that often, we downplay our skills, or we forget to think creatively about our SKILLS; we forget to make the connection between similar skills, applied in different ways that can carry across many different areas of our lives.

I will now show my age for this example, but, in the olden days, before computers were widely used and cash register scanners were unheard of, I applied for a job in an accounting office. The primary requirement was accurate 10-key by touch skills. While I hadn't used a 10-key, I had manually worked a cash register. The key pad on a cash register of that day was very similar to the keypad on a 10-key machine.

I very much wanted and needed this job so, before I went in to the interview I sat down with the job description and figured out all the similar skills I had while not EXACTLY in the job description, I felt confident that my SIMILAR skills would be useful. In this way, I was prepared and confident when I went in to the interview. (I got the job!)

When I teach improv, I teach the same games and skills but with a different FOCUS to actors and non-actors. With actors, I focus on character development and physicality. I focus on that with my non-actors, but I don't hit those skills with as much emphasis.

With non-actors, I focus on the "yes, and . . .", team work, status and idea generation.

Same skills, different focus.

Today -especially if you are unhappy with your current career- I challenge you to take some time and write down your skills. Not just the skills that seem applicable to business, but all of your skills. If you make a great cherry pie, write it down. If you can blow up balloons like anybody's business, write it down. If you are always on time, write it down. If you know your way around MS Excel, write it down. If you are the person all your friends confide in because you can keep a secret, write it down. Get it all on paper.

NEXT, write down all the jobs you can imagine for each skill.

Get CREATIVE, stretch, play, have fun. Then, look at your list. Maybe you've just created a new career. Or a new way to look at your current career.

That Degree CAN get you THERE!

Sometimes I read an article and have to sit and stew on it for a few days as I ponder what I really think about it. I came across the article 9 Ways a Theatre Degree Trumps a Business Degree last week. The author is a theatre major but currently working as a PR and Communications professional. He was inspired to write the article to encourage a friend who felt like her theatre degree didn't mean anything in the business world.

According to the author, here are the key advantages that an employee with a theatre degree brings to the table:

1. Advanced critical thinking and problem solving skills
2. Calm in a crisis
3. Understand deadlines and respect them
4. An eye on audience perception
5. Courageous
6. Resourceful
7. Team Player
8. Versatile
9. Flexible

I mostly agree with him on all these points. And, in fact, when I was working at a large corporation and things ALWAYS seemed to be delayed, I made the comment that delaying an "opening" just DOESN'T happen in theatre. The show goes ON!

What I do enjoy MOST about this article is the creativity he employees to help his friend see all her positive qualities; and move forward in confidence in a career that isn't directly related to her degree. The amazing thing is, YOU could create a list like this for nearly ANY degree you have and how YOUR degree helps you in your current profession. (Note: Of COURSE, there are SOME careers that require a specialized degree. If that is what you want to do, then this post MIGHT not be for you!!)

So, get creative friends. IF your degree doesn't match a job you a) currently hold; or b) wish you had; then get out a piece of paper and write down all the positive and TRANSFERABLE skills you learned from your degree. And, if you are a college dropout (like me) you can STILL create a list, just use PAST JOBS to identify positive/transferable skills!