Accidental careers
I just attended an interesting session celebrating Women’s History Month. Three women from Manpower’s headquarters talked with a large group of women (and men) about their careers. Nice job, guys!
Something struck me about their answers to the question, “What did you want to be when you grew up?” None of the three had a clear picture — early on — of what they would be doing.
I’ve always envied people who knew when they were small that they wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer or a scientist, and then had the discipline to see it through. I didn’t wake up when I has nine years old and say, “I want to be in the staffing business when I grow up.” My career has been a series of accidents. Serendipitous, lovely accidents, but accidents all the same.
I believe most of us have accidental careers. Some of it is luck — you have to be in the right place at the right time. But most of it is hard work and taking advantage of the opportunities in front of you.
There’s nothing wrong with an accidental career. Just don’t pass up an opportunity!
