in Choosing a College, Parents, Guardians, Counselors 764 Words

COLLEGE IS A TIME TO REALIZE HOW GOOD YOU ARE!

I like to talk. I love it. When I was younger I used to get in so much trouble for talking. Never anything bad, just not shutting up. I’d get sent in the hallways, sit there for the hour. What’s funny is that every time I was in the hall and a faculty member walked past, they would ask “talking again Keith?”

I even remember this one time I was kicked out of gym class for telling a joke to this girl. I was sent to the office and the Vice Principal, sat at his desk and as he was explaining my inappropriate behavior for talking while my teacher was talking…he started pounding his fist with a paddle with holes in it. It really scared the crap out of me. Not something we see or experience now is it?

The gift of gab…so to speak…

I love it.

But I didn’t know how important this skill was until about 4 years ago. Well, Never in a million years did I realize that my blessed skill of the tongue. I was in sales and remember all conversations and meetings I had with my colleagues and customers. Most of my success was led to my ability to communicate with so many different people with different attitudes and agendas.

That’s the important part because I now realize that you don’t really have to know it all. Or attain ALL the skills necessary and right away for a particular job or career. I’m a public speaker and love what I do. I love visiting colleges, business and high schools providing presentations, workshops and general speeches about personal and professional development. I love carrying a message and using my strong effective public speaking skills. I never really consider that just one skill can lead to so many opportunities.

That is where YOU come in…

There are many careers that require specific skills and talents. The things that you learn those in college as part of your curriculum.

Think about YOURSELF…

What are you good at?

Think about all those things you do well. If you like Math, chances are you are pretty good with numbers, and solving problems. Maybe you’re not so creative, but analytical is your game.

Expand your thoughts about your skills and see what people say about you, or maybe certain awards or involvement that you are in that you really excel. What have your friends, family or coaches/bosses said about you? You are all good at something. You just have to figure out what it is.

But here’s the key…

Finding what you are good at, and then realizing your talents…is a craft. It’s a process and method in which you realize that you can do a bunch of different jobs and envelope yourself in a career that fits you.

A career that fits you is actually a career that you like!

Think about those that are miserable in their job. Why is that? Chances are because there is something in that job or career and they are at this fork-in-the-road and really second guessing where they are professionally. Don’t be in that position when you are working. You should already know some things that you are skilled at upon your career or degree choice as you enter college.

When I started as a college rep I didn’t even know what the school was that I was applying for. When I went on my first interview for this job, all that was truly required was for each of us (candidates for the job) to give a two to four-minute speech, impromptu. Of course I did very well, because I was granted a second interview and then offered the job.

Try it.

Focus on you and think about what you are good at and how it can be applied to different jobs. You have about 45-50 years to work before you retire (early). Wouldn’t you want to enjoy what you are doing most of that time?

Your Success is My Success,

Keith Lipke

I’m a careers and college recruiter, coach, mentor and blogger at The Career Closet. His passion is to educate, inspire, and give hope to young people who need it upon their search for the right career and college

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