In the Classroom

Last week I was asked to speak to a group of students regarding their careers and job search. As an HR consultant, teachers love having us in their classroom because they think we can talk some sense into their non-compliant students about the importance of having some glowing career...I have to laugh because the non-compliant kids are usually the ones who end up doing what they want  and living the happiest lives. Anyway, knowing that the school system usually doesn't do a very good job with part one of teaching kids about job search, I decided to take this on myself. This may have been a mistake because the teacher seemed shocked as I started to write on the board. I couldn't help but to smile inside knowing I was pissing her off, but I felt this must be done.

This was the exercise:

Take out a sheet of paper and divide into two sections. On one side, write down the career that you think your teachers, parents and others would prefer you do for the rest of your life. On the other side, write down what you would love to do with your life. Do not consider income or any other obstacles your teachers, parents, etc may have laid out for you in that career.

Now, once you've gotten them down, draw a big X through the side that others would like for you to do and draw a big circle around what you want to do.

Smiles on the kids faces! Yes!!

We then talked about how adults who are performing jobs/careers that are aligned with who they are (regardless of money) are more successful than others who are performing jobs out of obligation to society or others. Gasp from the teacher.....and smile from me!

This particular school happened to be one that was preparing these children for a career in technology but when I asked the kids to share, there interests were those geared toward writing, photography, etc. Why are we prepping kids for something they don't want to do??

After hearing from the kids, I created a sample mind map on the board. The mind map was geared towards a plan of how they were going to achieve that career in their lives (they are allowed to change their minds as much as they like).

Here is a sample:



I haven't yet feared out how to upload a clear pdf so if any readers know how to do this, by all means, please comment.

The basis of the mind map was this:
-Get a job in a photography shop to learn and earn money to purchased a camera
-Join yearbook at school to cultivate skills
-Take classes offered in the community
-Research other ways to get educated post high school
-Interact with others interested in photography and learn from each other
-When I feel ready, create a website and start promoting my work to family and friends


Each child completed a mind map for their career choice. Their homework was to hang this in a place they'd see every day.

Your homework: Do this with yourself. Are you performing a job or career that isn't aligned with who you are? If the answer is yes, how can you make small changes today to move yourself into a place where you get to do more of what you love. Go back to that vision board and make sure you include those changes on the vision board.


Feel free to comment on this post...would love to hear your feedback!!