Next Step in Your Career

[susan silva]

If you could take the job you are in now  and morph it into the next perfect step in your career, what would that be?

[JessW]

  The way I am feeling today? 

Try retirement!

J
  e
     s
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             ! (going downhill rapidly!)

[gee4]

Susan,

If I was able to "morph my current job into the next perfect step", my annual review/appraisal, would go how I wanted.  Unfortunately life does not work that way and in the current climate I believe we are all lucky to be employed.  

Currently admin staff in my company have no career path which I find shocking.  If jobs were abundant and opportunities were knocking on our door, we could all pick and choose what our next steps would be.  As it happens there is no point worrying about things you cannot change, because I can tell you things aren't going to change for a while.

Ideally keeping my job at this point in time is the most important thing for me.

Accept the things you cannot change, have courage to change the things you can and the wisdom to know the difference.

[peaches2160]

Raise the level to a true global executive assistant working virtually and one on one with an executive who clearly communicates goals and objectives.  One who trusts and works with their assistant as a business partner, a true team to accomplish goals and objectives.  In sync if you will.

In 10 - 12 years, retirement.

[BeckyA]

Two years ago I asked my current manager if I could specialize in meetings and events.  Because I asked I was given more meetings to plan, two years later I am still the EA but also the corporate event planner.  I get to plan board meetings, offsites, a confernce here or there, smaller events.  If I hadn't thought about "what do I want to do when I grow up" I wouldn't be in the job I am now.   I know every job doens't have the same opportunities and support I had, but there are some out there.

[msmarieh]

I've had some jobs that are pretty close to ideal for me. My current job, though at a great place and with great people, is not. It simply doesn't utilize my skills most effectively.

I would allow telecommuting. I would be more involved in the day to day meetings and have a greater awareness of what is going on in the company. I would have a greater level of communication with my boss and my opinions would be more valued.

[gee4]

Now that is interesting Marie...

I would have thought with all the goal setting/planning you would have achieved your accomplishments and found your ideal job by now.

[msmarieh]

LOL Well I have set and achieved many accomplishments over the years, gee. Certainly more than I would have accomplished if I had set no goals at all.

However, there is always another goal to be set, isn't there?

[gee4]

Some people are never happy.  Such a shame, you have to continue to prove yourself. 

I always wonder why some individuals feel they have to prove themselves - is it insecurity, to be recognised, to be accepted?

Anyway good luck finding that perfect job.  Maybe Santa will show up too one of these days!

I personally have no expectations of others and nothing to prove to them either. 

Proof not needed.

[msmarieh]

Oh I don't consider that proving myself. I consider that stretching myself and keeping my mind nimble. But then some people prefer to coast through life with no direction or effort. Different strokes for different folks.

[gee4]

Well I think I've done pretty good keeping my head above water given the redundancies I have faced.

No planning can prepare you for that, and even if you did consider it might happen, where would you be worrrying about it?

Accept the things you cannot change, have courage to change the things you can and the wisdom to know the difference but always be grateful for what you have.