The $20K Decision that Didn't Work!

Growing up I spent my summers working on my father's golf course.  From the time I was a young child I fell in love with puppies and kittens.  Since the golf course was located out in the country there were always strays showing up.  Some mornings there would be three or four kittens at the door of the shed when I arrived.  Being young, I was amazed at how they managed to find their way to our place!  We were so lucky!

As it was, our family veterinarian's office was just around the corner from the business.  Without hesitation I would pack up the new arrivals and take them to Dr. Smith for a check-up and shots!  And, of course, you would be correct in assuming that my father would know nothing about this until the bill arrived.  Dad was a pretty good sport about it until the summer I 'rescued' 13 strays and had them cared for by the vet.  That was the bill that put the brakes on my summer project.

A few years later, I was accepted into Oklahoma State's Pre-Veterinary Program.  So, I packed my car and headed on down to Stillwater to begin my training in my new career.  While to many I may appear somewhat intelligent, I have to admit that I had no idea whatsoever that vets also took care of large animals until my first semester at OSU.  For three days a week, my 7:30 a.m. class (yes, I said 7:30!) was in the Animal Science building.  It was sure a surprise when I first arrived to find animal carcasses hanging from hooks around the classroom.  What followed next was pure shock.

There were the excursions to the dairy barns, followed by the trips to the not-so-clean bull pens.  Of course we wandered through fields where I learned, too late, that I needed to watch where I walked.  But, the final straw came when I spent a few weeks with the pigs.

You see, my ignorance brought some humor to my classmates.  They nicknamed me "Chicago" and associated anyone from the North as someone who had no clue about animals.  Well, I guess I didn't disappoint.  I discovered, far too late, that I should have spent more time exploring my career choice before I made the decision to follow what I soon learned would not be my career. 

What happened next left such an impression on me that to this day, I still think of it often.  One day during a lab involving two pigs in a pen, the instructor 'volunteered' me to step into the pen and answer one simple question.  Nervous, I did as I was told while all the time I could hear the snickering of my classmates as they circled the small enclosure.  In retrospect, I know now that no one wanted to miss what was going to come next.  I waited patiently for what I knew would be the career-killer.  It came.  Quietly, and without any hesitation, he asked me to identify the gender of each pig.  Yep, howling erupted from the crowd. 

You see, I like math.  So, standing there I frantically tried to calculate the best odds of identifying the right gender of the animals.  Since there were two, I figured I could select either female or male for both, and, if lucky, I would get one right.  So I did.  I stated with the best voice I could muster, "Male."  That was it.  Full blown, tear producing laughter surrounded me.  The instructor went over to the pigs, tapped them to make them stand up (which, is probably something I should have done), and, you guessed it...they were both female.

Believe it or not, but that is the reason why I have developed the Jobs Connection workshops that I present at Capital Area Michigan Works!  Generally speaking, we tend to make decisions based upon what we think we know rather than what actually, is.  Working with adults, it is important that we look at the skills and knowledge that one has acquired, coupled with interests to build a picture of where we might want to transition.  As well, it is important to explore what those interests are and gather information to use in making a good decision.

The workshop provides information and tools for individuals to use in helping identify career paths and/or opportunities that may not have been previously considered.  The workshops are free and are offered most Tuesdays.  If you're trying to figure out what the next stage in your career life might be and are not sure where to start, consider joining us for the next Jobs Connection workshop.

Job Blasts:  To view the Michigan Talent Bank posting for each Job Blast, be sure to click on the MTB number.

• Michigan Supreme Court (Lansing):  Administrative Assistant, MTB #2966139
• Shabazz Public Academy (Lansing):  Substitute Teacher, MTB #2965627
• Dart Container (Mason):  Credit Manager, MTB #2924165

Career Tip of the Day:  If you are looking to transition into a new career and are not sure where to begin, or want to obtain more information to assist in the decision, consider attending the next  Jobs Connection workshop.  Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 16, 2010 where the workshop will be held at the Capital Area Michigan Works! Lansing Service Center from 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

And, to find out what happened in my 'career search' afterwards, watch future blogs.