Does Your Major Matter?

Passion, Ambition and a job that still has its new car smell.

Last week, I suffered one of the worst things that can happen to someone who is trying to do a lot of writing online: a complete computer meltdown.  Literally, since the fan and entire cooling system broke... which completely fried the processor.  Fixable, but expensive.

There were benefits of taking my computer into rehab, however, since it forced me to look more around London for my shot of daily news. And I think the Universe was feeling sympathetic to my plight, because the very first free newspaper I picked up had an excellent article about how a young person is taking advantage of the changing workplace!

The article, "Passion, ambition, and no soft soap" in the February 22 edition of the London Paper, talks about how Ruth Andrade, works for Lush (a handmade cosmetics company that specializes in using fresh ingredients).  Her job is to "find ways for the company to operate in a more environmentally responsible way at every level of the organization, from design to manufacture."

What I found most interesting about the job, however, was that it was created specifically for her!  Ruth came up with ideas on her own about how to reduce the company's waste, and was so passionate about her ideas that one of Lush's senior directors offered her a job... and then let Ruth design it!

Now she works on everything from getting suppliers to ship products in reusable containers, to designing more eco-friendly window displays for stores, and reducing energy consumption throughout the company.

You might be shaking your head thinking "how does that help me?"  Well, even if environmental conservation might not be your cup of tea, Ruth's story should give you hope.  Ruth spent a lot of time learning about a cause/initiative she cared about, and then was able to turn it into a full-time position at a company that is giving her the freedom to work on projects she enjoys.

Now the story sounds more interesting, doesn't it?  Who wouldn't want to earn a decent salary while being able to say "I don't think of my job as just a way to earn a living.  I do the work because I love it."

And that's one of the greatest things about the business world of the future.  The opportunities will be there to create our own jobs and design our future. We just have to have the passion to impress people who are willing to pay us!

Click through to read the full article:  (It wasn't available online, so I typed it up.  Too inspiring for it to be forgotten!  Notice how excited she is about her work.)

Survey Responses!

One of the questions I asked in my survey was "What advice would you give young people who are undecided about what to study in college?"

What really struck me about the answers was how many hiring managers urged undecided young students to follow their passion and to study something they love.  Take a look!  I put the first 25 responses from my survey below!

1.  Figure it out and fast. The reason for this is that your studies will be more focused and have more meaning. For example, if you want to be in marketing you will spend a lot more time on the subject seeking to learn it, instead of just getting the grade.

2.  Always go with your passion. Whatever you feel naturally drawn to, whatever you feel passionate about, study exactly that. Be true to yourself. When we love something, it's almost natural that we'll become good at it. There is no point studying something that might stand a chance to success just because it is in demand in the market today when you don't truly believe in it and don't feel the passion for it. It will only be a torture and will not lead you to success unless you really like it and enjoy it. Great works don't come out of dedication and hard work, but also out of passion and conviction.

(That's just the first 2.  Click through for the rest of the 25.  More later... I have over 500 responses for this question!)

What did you want to be when you grew up?

This weekend, in a vain attempt to avoid rewriting my dissertation for the final draft, I spent quite a bit of time browsing on the Internet. One of the sites I came to featured a career interest test. I didn't actually take the test because it cost money, so I can't personally attest to its accuracy.

However, in scrolling through the test description, I saw something that really made me think. It said:

Remember What You Really Wanted To Do In This Life

Many of "Career Changers" tell us that our Career Test reminded them of talents and interests long forgotten. In the push to get through school, get a job, raise a family, many people set aside their true passions in life. Then, at some point later in life they find themselves not fulfilled, not satisfied, looking for something else.

Our career test has the ability to remind you of what you really liked to do. Remembering your true interests allows you to modify your life to be much more satisfying and rewarding.

Isn't it strange that one of the main benefits of this test is that it reminds people of what they once liked to do, but gave up because of their drive to be successful in life? And now, once those same people have found themselves out of work and needing to find a new career, they're being directed to pursue the things that they once liked to do!

I think this happens because many of us believe we can't do/study something we actually like... and be able to earn money with it. So we end up doing something we think will bring us financial success (which it might) without the real passion that comes from doing something that we truly enjoy.

College Grads Only!

If you're reading this blog, it's highly likely that you are already going to college, or on your way there in the future.  You probably already know how important a college degree is for professional success and financial stability.

Yet, even though my survey specified that it was for students who we re already planning on going to college, many of the survey respondents felt it was so important to emphasize a college degree that they wrote to me specifically to mention that!

If you want to see what survey respondents said about the necessity of getting a college degree, please click through!