Get your story straight, and right your career
May 9, 2012
Work-Life Narratives: authoring the future of career. An engaging hour of radio featuring experts in developing your career identify through your stories, and the value of career conversations.
This Wednesday’s Career Buzz guests are experts in narratives at work, and writing as a transformative tool for career management. They’ll share highlights of their transformation-through-writing model which features a four step process: sensing, sifting, focusing, understanding. Frans Meijers, PhD will tell you about his research showing career dialogue as a central part of any powerful environment for career learning. Narrative career approaches are also brought to life in university level courses designed and led by both Frans and our other guest, writer, poet and visiting professor Reinekke Lengelle. They’ll talk about the courses that explore life and career themes through writing, conversation, and their work on “career construction” stories.
Reinekke Lengelle, is a writer, poet, and visiting graduate professor at Athabasca University in Alberta. She designs and teaches graduate courses in the area of writing for personal and professional development. Her co-written article about Narratives at Work with Frans Meijers, was recently published in the British Journal of Career Guidance and Counselling.
Frans Meijers, PhD, is a top researcher in the area of career guidance in the Netherlands. He’s also professor of pedagogy and career development at the University of The Hague. His research shows that career learning takes place as a result of experiential learning and a dialogue about those experiences. This finding has led Frans to develop professional training programs for teachers in how to have true career conversations.
Tune in, learn, enjoy, and send your questions by email as you listen in on these two experts. Career Buzz is on Wednesday May 9, 11am-noon Eastern, listen live from your computer at ciut.fm or tune to 89.5 FM in Toronto.
Sparks from April 25 when Career Buzz explored volunteering to develop your career.
Michael Gustar of Volunteer Hamilton gave an example about using volunteering to for career planning. “We had a student who really wanted to be a veterinarian. She volunteered in an animal hospital and very quickly found out there’s no way she’d be a vet. The reason was she was so passionate and loved being around animals so much that she couldn’t stand being around the pain aspect. So she worked in social services and worked with the human animal instead.” Michael elaborated on the value of volunteering: “Volunteering can be a huge assist on the career path. It can help you hone skills, learn new skills, practice skills. It can help you in networking and finding out where the opportunities lay, and it can help you know where you don’t want to go.”
CareerCycles Tip: Try this short five step experience to milk your volunteer experiences to help you make career and life choices. 1) Think of one of your volunteer activities. 2) Write two qualities of the experience you liked. 3) Write two qualities you didn’t like, and for each one, name what you know you want now because of what you didn’t like, e.g. ‘didn’t like boring tasks, know now I want more challenging tasks.’ 4) Write two skills you enjoyed using. 5) Look at the four desires and two skills and ask yourself: What can I do in my career and life to live these six elements? Contact your local volunteer organization to find more opportunities, e.g. http://www.volunteertoronto.ca/ Listen to the whole interview featuring Heather McDonald of Toronto Cyclists Union, and Shawn Kelly.
Volunteer to be a millionaire ~ What can you learn from cherry blossoms?
April 25, 2012
Michael Gustar was a probationary officer until he went back to college to study volunteer management, got a job at the humane society, and then his career “went to the dogs!” Now as the Manager of Agency and Volunteer Resources at Volunteer Hamilton he’ll share stories of how he helps thousands of people connect to meaningful volunteer opportunities.
When Shawn Kelly retired at age 47 after 30 years working at Stelco, he ramped up his own volunteer activities and now advocates and presents on the value of volunteering to develop your career. Shawn says volunteer opportunities can transform your resume “from blah to amazing.” He’ll share insights from his forthcoming book, “Volunteer to Be a Millionaire.”
As a volunteer president and chair of the Toronto Cyclists Union, Heather McDonald will share with listeners all about her skill-building and career-enhancing experiences. Inspire your life, empower your career, enrich your week. Career Buzz is on Wednesday, April 25, 11am-noon Eastern, 89.5 FM in Toronto or online http://ciut.fm/index.php/about/listen-live/.
Sparks from Career Buzz of April 11
Youth unemployment was the topic, and recent grad Peter Donnan joined us to talk about his unpaid internship and how by making himself indispensible, he got an offer for a full time job. CBC radio producer Neil Sandell has been studying the problem of youth unemployment, and he highlighted for listeners that there are 200,000 fewer jobs for youth in Canada now compared to before the recession. “We need to encourage a culture of great internships,” he said. Listen to the whole interview.
CareerCycles Tip: If you’re a recent grad, or know one, take in Peter Donnan’s advice: “It’s never too early to start looking for your career.” Neil Sandell suggested that it’s better to take something than nothing. Sure you can be fussy and have high expectations, but, Neil said, “you never know from the outside what a job is going to be like, and you never know what kind of learning you’ll acquire. You don’t know where [a job] is going to lead.” Listen to our inspiring archived interviews.
When is a good time to write the next chapter in your career and life story?
It’s spring and the cycles of nature show us it’s a time for renewal. The natural world is reviving, flowers blossoms, trees bud, and your career and life can be aligned with this powerful cycle. Check out this short video linking career and life choices to spring’s inspiration. Easter celebrates the renewal STORY of resurrection, which happened when Jesus was 33 years old. Some call this the JESUS YEAR — a time to clarify what you want in your career and life. Here’s the thinking: If Jesus could be credited for all that was accomplished in his life by 33, then anyone approaching that age might want to assess where they’re at and what they want to do next. But how to answer, “What next?” Sidestep those silly career tests, and instead draw on the power of YOUR STORY – it holds all the clues you need.
What do you think about the Jesus Year? How are your being inspired this spring? Leave a comment!
What can you learn from the edge of town to enrich your career and life?
Interesting people, unusual sights, sounds and smells, and serendipitous experiences show up in the transitional area between city and countryside. See for yourself in this short video we made last week on the outskirts of a town in Nicaragua, when we were leading the CareerCycles ‘enriching lives and careers trip.’
Metaphorically, the edge of town is linked with career and life changes:
- City / TRANSITIONAL AREA / Countyside
- Comfort zone / LEARNING ZONE / Anxiety zone
- Ending, Losing, Letting go / NEUTRAL ZONE / New beginning
For those of us who live in cities, as we leave town, we often feel a sense of relaxation and relief from the busy-ness of our lives to the calming effect of the countryside.
In our careers and lives, we often rest in the comfort zone of what we know and who we know. For sure, pushing ourselves too far can land us in an anxiety zone. In between lies the learning zone, where we’re stretching ourselves and learning to redeploy, adapt, grow and in so doing, enrich ourselves. For example, speaking in public to a large audience can land us in the anxiety zone, but taking the initiative to lead a small group discussion or meeting can be a great learning experience.
Similarly, when making a change in our careers or lives we move from ending to new beginning through a neutral zone, according to William Bridges’ model. Whether we choose the career chapter ending or it has been imposed upon us, this experience can be emotionally painful. Before moving on to a new beginning, it’s important to realize we enter a neutral zone, which can be rich in clues for our next steps. In the neutral zone, like at the edge of town, clues appear. What can you learn from people you meet? What are the unusual sights and sounds – signs on office buildings, stories in the news – that might help you explore next steps?
Leave a comment! What do you like about the video? What are your transitional area, neutral zone or learning zone experiences?
-Mark Franklin www.careercycles.com
Good News Toronto
Dec. 14, 2011
When a string of bad things happened in Toronto, people began saying, ‘Toronto’s so dangerous!’ That message compelled Eva Karpati to show the doomsayers her city was still Toronto the Good. But how? With no background in publishing, Eva launched a newspaper, Good News Toronto, featuring stories of Toronto’s everyday heroes and positive events. Tune in to hear Eva’s career and life journey from personal trainer and yoga teacher, to editor and publisher.
Plus, a career conversation with Career Activist Mark Swartz on the topic of career exploration over the holidays. What’s good to do, and not do, over these weeks in December? Tune in, and join the conversation! Call in, or email your questions and comments to mark@careercycles.com or by Twitter @careercycles.
CareerCycles tip from Nov. 30 interview with Andrew Fitzgerald: One “field trip” results in multi-year international career, then Banker turns Gallery Owner!
Always wanting to live and work abroad, Andrew Fitzgerald took himself on a career “field trip” from his native Toronto to Vietnam, to see what was possible. He scheduled meetings with professionals in his field and because he was there and had done his research, he soon found a winning strategy. “They could bring in an ex-pat who would be very expensive, or they could hire me.” So he moved to Hanoi, armed with insights and confidence, but without a job yet. Once there, he soon landed a great job.
CareerCycles Tip: Take yourself on a career field trip to your desired location — or even a local organization — do some research about the local scene and set up meetings beforehand, as part of your intentional exploration.
While in Asia, he fell in love with Asian art, which ultimately led him back to Toronto where he recently changed careers again, and is now happily leading the East Gallery. Hear the whole interview. Inspire your life, empower your career, enrich your week. Join us WEDNESDAYS 11am-noon at 89.5 FM or www.ciut.fm Listen to our inspiring past shows
Banker becomes gallery owner. Teenagers’ career choices
Nov. 30, 2011
After completing a degree in English Literature and an MBA, Andrew Fitzgerald worked in banking in Toronto for five years. Itching to travel, he quit his job and set off for Vietnam to live and work where he found a banking job that led to other ones in Singapore, Manila, Hong Kong, and along the way, he and his wife fell in love with Asian art. Ready for change, they returned to Toronto and began researching the idea of an Asian art gallery in Toronto. Tune in to hear how Andrew fulfilled his dream by founding The East Gallery.
Plus, a career conversation with Career Buzz hosts Leigh Anne Saxe and Mark Franklin, discussing a recent talk on the theme of teenagers’ educational and career choices. “I know my daughter better than she knows herself, so she should listen to me,” said a parent of a teenager in Grade 11. “Parents are always wrong when it comes to advising their teenage kids about educational choices,” said a guidance counsellor.
CareerCycles tip from Nov. 16 interview with JP Hatala and Linda Manning:
“I never lost sight of what I wanted to do,” said John-Paul Hatala. He wanted to become a professor but “that goal was overwhelming.” So how did he get through this 13 year journey? “I made sure each [phase toward the] goal was attainable, and I could experience some success right away. That motivated me to move on to the next phase.”
Listen to the whole interview including insights on using your social capital with Professors JP Hatala, and Linda Manning!
Importance of workplace social networks, social capital in your career.
Nov. 16, 2011
John-Paul Hatala,Ph.D. joins Career Buzz to share his own career story, and his academic research on social networking behaviors, social capital, human resource development, career development and the transition to the labour market. Dr. Hatala is currently an Assistant Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, a Senior Fellow at the University of Ottawa and an Adjunct Professor at Louisiana State University. He is founder of the Social Capital Development firm Flowork International. John-Paul is presently a regular blogger on www.contactpoint.ca and has been featured in the Globe and Mail, CBC Radio and Global TV. His latest book is entitled “The Strategic Networker: A Learner’s Guide to Effective Networking.”
Intercultural economist, Linda Manning,Ph.D. experienced being an immigrant herself, coming to Canada from the US. Her work now focuses on the success of immigrants in workplace. Dr. Manning is a Senior Fellow at the University of Ottawa and the founder of Leadership Mosaic Inc. Her academic research focuses on inclusive talent management for maximum organizational capacity. Results of recent research revealed recognition and valuing of competencies, and workplace social networks are the two major barriers facing employers trying to capitalize on immigrant talent. Listen in on Wednesday to hear Linda and John-Paul share their passion and insights for career and workplace success. GET INVOLVED IN THE RADIO CONVERSATION… email your questions mark@careercycles.com or by Twitter @careercycles.
CareerCycles tip from Nov. 2 interview with Bob Sauve & Doris Smith:
“Together we could do much more than we could do one on one,” said Doris Smith, 86, who’s been volunteering for over 40 years, and earned her college fundraising diploma at 60. Together with teams of volunteers she’s raised millions of dollars in her volunteer work, including funding for a project in the 1980s to reconstruct the Rideau Chapel inside the National Gallery. “Pay attention to the success stories around you!” said Bob Sauve. A volunteer docent at the National Gallery in Ottawa, Bob moved forward in his career in education administration because of a successful mentor he met earlier on. Listen to the whole interview!
Inspire your life, empower your career, enrich your week. Join us WEDNESDAYS 11am-noon at 89.5 FM or www.ciut.fm Listen to our inspiring past shows
Volunteering keeps you engaged and vibrant. Know when to say yes.
Nov. 2, 2011
Bob Sauvé led such a compelling ‘tour’ of a painting during my recent visit to the National Gallery in Ottawa — he knew everything about St Jerome in Penitence — that I had to ask about his story. A school principal, educator and faculty member at U of Ottawa, Sauvé always loved galleries and art. When retirement approached he eagerly dove into his demonstrated interest and became a volunteer docent. Dial us in to find out how to nurture your interests so you stay engaged throughout your life.
Doris Smith, 86, has been an active volunteer for over 40 years, in parallel with her career in fundraising. From the Volunteers’ Circle of the National Gallery to the Canadian Federation of Friends of Museums, and from Friends of English Theatre to First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, Doris has been a board member, editor, organizer and fundraiser extraordinaire. What can you learn about keeping your story strong well into your ninth decade? Join us for stories and wisdom from the front lines of aging gracefully.
CareerCycles tip from Oct. 26 interview with Gregg Brown:
Gregg Brown urged listeners to tune into their own clues. “What revs you up? What gets you excited? When you’re going about your day-to-day work and you read an article in a newspaper [about a career area], does it make you feel excited? Or not? Where’s that drive for you?” And then, when you notice those positive clues, Brown advised, “Know when to say ‘yes.’”
Inspire your life, empower your career, enrich your week. Join us WEDNESDAYS 11am-noon at 89.5 FM or www.ciut.fm Listen to our inspiring past shows
Notice what awakens career excitement.
Oct. 26, 2011
When Gregg Brown worked in the restaurant business, he was asked to do training: “they plunked me in front of a flipchart and it felt very good.” He’s always been in training, from sitting his sister down in front of a chalkboard when they were kids, to his present role as Director of Training and Learning Solutions at SPM Learning. Tune in to hear key turning points in Gregg’s career, including how reading an article led to a great job.
In Kirk Fox’s earlier career with an airline, an opportunity to lead training opened up and he jumped on, and hasn’t looked back. He stayed in airlines for 14 years…until 9/11. At that point he embarked on career changes in industry but staying within training, moving first to online dating company, LavaLife, then onto banks, and finally into educational publishing, where he’s now Director of Talent Development & Learning at Nelson Education.
Gregg and Kirk are both certified members of Canadian Society for Training & Development, and CareerCycles is pleased to welcome CSTD listeners and members.
CareerCycles tip:
Listen carefully to Gregg Brown’s interview and you’ll hear his successful career change strategy: “In my career, it’s been about being open and saying yes. It’s noticing what awakens that excitement or energy in you and you say, ‘I want to do that.’ And when you follow that excitement in your core it leads you down that [career success] path.”
As you listen, compare Gregg Brown’s career change strategy of intentional openness, to commonly held beliefs — perhaps your own — of the need to have very specific career goals. What do you notice?
Inspire your life, empower your career, enrich your week. Join us WEDNESDAYS 11am-noon at 89.5 FM or www.ciut.fm Listen to our inspiring past shows
Open up a whole new world. Powerful moments.
Want to start getting more of what you want and less of what you don’t want in your career? “Stop trying to figure out how and try helping someone else get what they want.” said Paul Tobey, president of Training Business Pros and recent Career Buzz guest. Tune in this Wednesday to hear powerful moments from Paul Tobey’s interview and guests from past Career Buzz shows, with all three of your hosts, Mark Franklin, Louisa Jewell and Leigh Anne Saxe.
Support inspiring career stories on Career Buzz on the fall membership campaign, ‘From the Roots Down,’ with your 25 dollar membership and qualify for great prizes including Sony Centre performances. CIUT is a registered charity so you’ll get a tax receipt. Be sure to name Career Buzz as your favourite show. You can DONATE NOW, or CALL IN during the show, and let us know when you call if you want to share your comments ON AIR. Thank you!
Inspire your life, empower your career, enrich your week. Join us WEDNESDAYS 11am-noon at 89.5 FM or www.ciut.fm Listen to our inspiring past shows
Career Tip – Open up a Whole New World – from Oct. 11 Career Buzz show:
Dimitri van Kampen, founder and president of Spearhead Brewing Company, and former lawyer, told listeners how beer “opened up a whole new world to me.” At a pub in London, England in 2009, he and his colleagues were lamenting the financial collapse. “Lawyers often wonder what they should have done instead of going into law. I said, ‘I should have opened a brewery. I know enough about beer to have done that.’ And then I went back to my office and started thinking, well, why can’t I do that? And the rest is history.”
CareerCycles tip: Why wait until your career and life falls apart? What demonstrated interest of yours, like Dimitri’s interest in beer, opens up a whole new world for you? New career plans often emerge from demonstrated interests, even when those plans start very small. What’s one thing you’d like to do this week to deepen that demonstrated interest?
