People will buy anything…
I was sitting one night with a friend watching an “Animal Planet” television show about chimpanzees and their incredible human-like talents and skills. There was a particular story about this lady that taught her chimps to paint. I know what you might be thinking right…chimps painting? okay…
My sentiments exactly.
Not only did these chimps have the painting abilities that my nephew had when he was 3 and adorned my brothers garage with magic marker, but these paintings were actually being bought by people! Not just selling them, but selling these paintings for $100-$300. This lady was making several thousand dollars from people buying paintings that her chimps created. The greatest part was the footage they showed of her beginning a painting with one of her chimps. They were seated on the ground and the owner (mother) took a paint brush and dipped it into the paint and handed it to her chimp. The chimp then proceeded to try and eat the paint brush, paint and all before she pulled it out of his mouth and re-directed him to the canvas right in front of him, where he proceeded to “scribble.”
People are buying this stuff…
There is NOTHING I have against this lady or her chimps at all with this. The fact that she can create a market for this sort of thing leads me to believe that the notion that we can create our own careers seems much more attainable. It is true! Not for all of us, but the idea of creating your own career based on skills and talents that you have is a dream that can come true for you.
WHERE did you go to college, not IF you went to college:
You can’t really do much these days that will provide you with the luxury, and safety the future demands. You really need a degree. Who knows what that is, but earning a degree close to what you are interested in is a necessity. Potential partners or business investors ask WHERE you went to college, not IF you went to college. If you are going to start your own business or create your own career having a higher level of education other than high school is a necessity. Don’t worry about having the perfect degree for this. Sure some business starts or creative careers require specific education, but if that is not you, many times changing your degree is a good thing. My good friend Andrew Snow wrote this article that helps you to manage your stresses, or anxieties of changing your major. Check out My Colleges and Careers for even more input!
Know You:
What is it that you are good at? What do you actually like to do? What don’t you like to do? Do you know? Being aware of you and your own personality is surely a tool that will satisfy your desires for what you want to do for the rest of your life. Whether it be caring for people or telling people what to do…or not working with people at all, you have to decide that. Do you want to “work” for the rest of your life? Then enjoy what you do. Find what you like to do and don’t like to do by simply thinking about courses you’ve taken in school, volunteer things that you are involved with, or even what others have said about you. Plenty more.
Take a look at these past posts from me that focus on some key techniques that you can easily relate to and work with when choosing the career that is right for you:
WHEN IT COMES TO COLLEGE AND CAREERS, OPEN UP THE BOX
PERSONALITY vs. CAREER: A GREAT MATCH!
WHAT IS YOUR CAREER COLOR? GO TO COLLEGE WITH THAT!
THE FINAL STEP IN YOUR CAREER CHOICE: VISITING THE O.O.H.
All these posts can provide you with some pretty awesome advice on what and how to look for careers available to you. Take advantage of OOH though. It is so necessary for you to do the research.
It takes some work…
Do you think Steve Jobs, Bill Gates or even the Donald got to where they were as entrepreneurs by going to bed at 2am and waking up at noon the next day? No, it takes some work and discipline on your part. It is up to you to do the research you need to make the right choices. Nobody should or will do it for you, so it is up to you to check out careers and degrees that might suit you. Visit bls.gov and get the necessary information to make the right choice.
It is my pleasure to help you make these choices. I created a program called The Creation Effect that is an easy and comprehensive program that takes you through the right steps to choosing the career that fits you, as well colleges that offer the opportunities you are looking for.
Your Success is My Success,
Keith Lipke
I’m a careers and college recruiter, coach, public speaker and leader 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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