Change-makers' Career Tips - July 2006 - Success, career fallacies

In this issue:

Under the Radar –The Future of the Internet User
Recent Career Trends –Waking Up Those Studying, Educating or Relying on Computer Science
Career-Life Symmetry –Our Interpretation of Success
Career Resources & Services –Career Fallacies, Fantasies and Future-sees
The Coach Notes –Freedom Reminder

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Quote of the Month

"I couldn't wait for success,
so I went ahead without it.”

- Jonathan Winter

Under The Radar

THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET USER

The early Internet ideas included a much anticipated, global community, where freedom of speech would reign. While it still has inspired free thinkers and bloggers and ploggers galore, we’re not completely free to operate by our own rules. Parents have felt a need to control what their children view, adults have not wanted to click on vague words in emails either for virus reasons or because they don't want to ever be linked with questionable sites. Some governments

mandate their citizens' search options, such as France and China. In essence, they create their own Internet.
Authors of Who Controls the Internet? “predict a new Cold War over the widely differing visions of the Internet’s future.” They want “language, content and norms that conform more closely to their own.” However, the authors feel it can be encouraging if this “reflects what most people want.”
As a career coach, I can’t help wondering the future impact for job hunters and those whose businesses are online. It may make access to resources easier because we won’t have to weed through as much useless and uncaring information and make us grateful “big daddy is watching out for us.”

Contributing Source: The Internet Meets Its Match, Los Angeles Times, 5-28-06

Recent Career Trends

WAKING UP THOSE STUDYING, EDUCATING OR RELYING ON COMPUTER SCIENCE

      “In the past, the U.S. could take for granted that it was the destination of choice for bright foreigners. But now there’s a global dogfight for talent.” Those who study here, often take their learning home. Until the 1990s, U.S. teams dominated international computer programming contests. Now other countries are rising in computer science programs while American schools falls behind. “Software programmers are the seed corn of the Information Technology, yet America isn’t producing enough.” Meanwhile, the Labor Department forecasts show computer and math jobs increasing in need.
      Majors in computer science are dropping too. BusinessWeek found results in interviews and in campus observation that students have a “zillion distractions.” Schools are looking at how to make computer science more compelling. “Truthfully, Americans just don’t feel threatened enough to exert the effort. But if we wait too long, we might find ourselves playing catch-up again.”
      As managers who employ these talented individuals, you will need to find new ways to reward and encourage them to continue their knowledge edge and interest through ongoing education, if youwant to stay ahead of international competition. It might even mean letting them play in the business applications available in virtual worlds ... it’s not always just fun, but real problems get worked out there too.

Contributing Source: BusinessWeek’s News Analysis & Commentary, May 2006 and also Virtual Life by Robert D. Hof, BusinessWeek, May 2006

Career-Life Symmetry

OUR INTERPRETATION OF SUCCESS

      What defines success for you? Starbucks founder, Howard Schultz, says, “Success is the by-product when you work toward the target.” As you read these few excerpts, consider how the choices you make create or don’t create your idea of success and how your concept brings you satisfaction and balance in your life.
      Kerry, elementary school teacher, second marriage, two children: “Yes, I used to chase success and try to build a lifestyle. And then it changed for me when there was a sudden trauma and I lost somebody very important―I lost my son. …success for me is trying to find little things that matter, helping somebody else.” “A lot of success is feeling good about yourself and having a healthy confidence and self-esteem. I finally got to a place where I said, ‘I’m just going to be do things from here on that I was always afraid to try―even silly things like roller coasters.’ ”
      Sara, board for Harley Davidson and Federated Dept. Stores, married, two children: “I don’t even use the word success.” “…it’s trying to find out how to be here, right now, and be happy right now.” “It’s finding joy and what brings pleasure with my family, by myself―and not having it be defined by what I’m doing professionally.”
      Peggy, divorced, two children: “It comes back to balance. Clearly career is important, but so is family. They’re not necessarily counterproductive; they work together. I can’t see any of us taking any one element out of our lives. Our children, our careers, our time to ourselves, all work as a whole.”
      Statistics show men still excel in the workplace and consider their jobs a top priority, but current stats for men on their attitudes about success are harder to find. Perhaps that’s why Vincent DiCaro, of the National Fatherhood Initiative in Gaithersburg, Md, said, “Surveys suggest that men are increasingly concerned about work-life balance and want access to things like paid family leave.” “Men just don't seem to vocalize these things as well as women.” “For that reason we tend to think they don't care, but they certainly do.”

Contributing Sources: The Meaning of Success Now, More magazines interview with eight women from four states, April 2006 and the online article, State program slowly catching on with men, by Michael Kinsman, Union Tribune Staff Writer, June 18, 2006. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20060618-9999-1n18leave.html

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