~ Opinion ~

I’ll never forget my Dad telling me that I wasn’t going to university.

In his words it was a complete “waste of time, and students were all bludgers, blights on the country” and he meant it.

A few talks (arguments!) later, I had enrolled and chosen my courses.

I have been working with people where the reverse is true, a family member or friend, ‘voluntells’ them in very persuasive language that university is a great idea!

This seemingly small discussion and subsequent decision can have a huge impact on the direction of your life.

For example, the one decision to go to university or take up a trade, can provide you with a ready-made network where friendships can become lifelong, but more

than that, when you are stuck in your career or business, you have someone call who can help you out in a range of specialist areas - depending on what your mates have qualified in!

In business, a strong and robust network is essential to survival.

It could be, that someone at a meeting suggests you give a person a call in your career field of interest, and that one call can turn into a role, a new business, a new career direction or

significant mentor.

Making the most of every opportunity that comes your way is called ‘Happenstance’ in careers terms.

These so-called chance life encounters and situations take courage, belief in yourself, and a belief that others will help you out with your life journey.

There are seldom any coincidences, but rather opportunities for you to pick up on and run with, leading to twists and turns in your career direction.

Careers are not a path to follow, but rather like a river that ebbs and flows, sometimes dumping you on the rocks, or leaving you to navigate boulders and floating logs.

Careers can also be calm and steady for long periods of time.

There is one thing that be guaranteed if you take this ‘Happenstance’ approach, and that is change.

For myself, that one decision to go to university led me overseas, working to release political prisoners from jail, and then on to my life’s work - to create a more equitable society through

career development.

What could be more satisfying.

Thanks Dad for the argument!

Jenny Bean is a professional member of the Career Development Association of NZ (CDANZ). If you are looking for career development support (personal or organisational), contact her at CareerBeanz.