What do people think of when they hear the word “opportunity”? Maybe they wonder how to create... or take advantage of... or seek... or even turn down an opportunity? Others hear the word “growth” and think of challenges... spurts... growing pains... or even developmental stages. Perhaps the bigger question is like the chicken and the egg: which comes first? Or even more significant: is one possible without the other?
~ Melanie Reinersman, M.A., insights@careerdevelopmentalliance.com
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash
FOCUS ON: Creating Opportunities
Inspiration to make and take opportunities that can enrich your life may come from any number of creative sources. Start here by listening to 20 experts share over 100 ways to create great opportunities. For example, great careers are said to come from making your boss' life easier, setting specific goals and speaking to strangers at work. Read more from Great Work Life.
FOR PRACTITIONERS: Planned Happenstance
Krumboltz's view about unplanned events and their connection to careers can be put into practice with clients. Help clients realize it is important to be open to seeing opportunities, and not trying may lead to lost opportunities. Read more about this theory and how to use it with clients from Marcr.net
JOB SEARCH: An Important Quality Employers Seek
To grow with a company, the employee must be willing to learn. To demonstrate this quality, a job seeker can provide examples of practicing self-teaching, embrace technology, ask thoughtful questions in the interview, and briefly note descriptions on the resume of learning from side projects. Read more from Business News Daily.
BONUS:
JOB SEARCH: Has the Opportunity Cost Been Considered?
Wiser decisions about jobs and careers may result when the opportunity cost is weighed. Most people simply look at the pros and cons, but the other aspect to consider is what could be done with the time or money instead. For example, rather than choose a career as a psychotherapist, the opportunity cost looks at what's the best alternative you would give up, specifically, could you choose a career with a shorter training period? Read more from Psychology Today.
TOP TEN: Rapidly Growing Regions of the U.S.
In May of 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau shared data that revealed the southern and western regions of the United States showed rapid growth in population The U.S. Census also showed that housing unit growth remained steady. While the bureau does not make predictions regarding population growth in relation to job opportunities, job seekers may wish to consider such data and seek (or avoid) places like Frisco, TX, Buckeye AZ, and Meridan, ID. Read more from the Census Bureau.