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Making Your Own Luck – “Planned Happenstance”. June Kay Career Development Consultant. “We do not always need a plan to create a career…………”. “…….…Instead, we need a plan to act on happenstance – to transform unplanned events into career opportunity.” Kathleen Mitchell,
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Making Your Own Luck – “Planned Happenstance” June Kay Career Development Consultant
“We do not always need a plan to create a career…………” • “…….…Instead, we need a plan to act on happenstance – to transform unplanned events into career opportunity.” • Kathleen Mitchell, • In Praise of Uncertainty, 1998
Planned Happenstance • Why? • Even experts cannot always anticipate the economic, social and political events that will impact upon employment • What? • An attitude you adopt and the actions that you take • How? • Clarify Ideas • Remove the Blocks • Expect the unexpected • Take Action
I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it. ~ • Charles Schulz
Living involves tearing up one rough draft after another.~ Author Unknown
In other words….. • It’s OK to change your plans and make mistakes • Anxiety about the future is normal • Finding the right career path is a life-long process • You can create future beneficial unplanned events
…becoming wise requires not just having adventures but a cultured mind that is open, ready and able to absorb the lessons experiences teaches. • “Chance favours the prepared mind” • Louis Pasteur
Attributes / Qualities • Risk Taking • Curiosity • Persistence • Optimism • Flexibility
What can you do? • Cultivate self-awareness and listen to yourself • If you’re curious about something, find a way to learn more about it • Be open minded and willing to consider “crazy ideas” • Think positive – give ideas a chance before dismissing them • See a Careers Adviser to explore ideas • When things happen differently than planned ask yourself if this could be an opportunity in disguise • Berkeley University
What can you do? • Talk to new people, learn to value your wants, to see your interests as legitimate • Experiment, learn new skills, make mistakes, change your mind • Be open to discover new things about yourself • Go ahead and explore • Get out and do it • Berkeley University
What might you do???...... • Network with other students and staff in college & dept • Take on a temporary or lower level job and volunteer for additional responsibilities • Voluntary work in the community • Travel, TEFL, volunteer oversees, pick fruit in the sun…. • Work shadowing / experience • Join professional bodies • Study for a night-class / short OU course etc • Join clubs & societies • Get involved with hobbies and interests = meet people • ……………………What else???
Action Plan!! • What 3 things are you going to do in the next 3 months?? • Specific action & time • Commit – tell a friend
To talk through your thoughts with the Careers Consultant June Kay e-mail her directly…. j.e.kay@durham.ac.uk