CAREER Q & A
Career Decisions
Q:
I'm a Computer Science graduate. For the first two years
I began teaching Computer Science, but I resigned later
to work in the field of marketing. Right now I work in
the Sales and Marketing Department as a Subscription Officer.
It's confusing because I came from a computer background,
and now, I'm into marketing. I want a new job. What field
should I apply in: computers or marketing? I really want
a new job.
- Cecille
A:
Before you move into a different job and field, take the
time to ask yourself a few questions. This might ease
your confusion and lead to good career decisions. Why
did you study computer science? After two years of teaching
computer science, what prompted you to go into marketing?
Is your present organization IT-related; do you sell and
market computers, software, or IT solutions? Or are you
in a totally different industry-which leads to your confusion?
Are other fields, aside from IT and marketing, an option
for you?
Now that you "really
want a new job", I have two more questions for you:
What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? These two
questions highlight your competencies and your motivations-important
things to consider when looking for a new job or a new
field to get into. Competencies and motivations go hand-in-hand
when you're on the jobhunt. When you answer these questions,
you can go beyond your experience in computers and marketing;
think of your experiences in high school or university,
in your extra-curricular activities, and even in your
personal life.
What are you good at?
Your competencies go beyond your technical knowledge of
computers or your work-related experience in sales and
marketing. Are you good at planning and organizing your
projects or activities; do you prioritize, schedule, and
maximize available resources? Do you meet your deadlines?
Do you make good decisions? Do you communicate well? Are
you articulate, confident, and do you maintain the attention
of your audience? Do you present your ideas well, whether
in a formal or informal setting? How well do you manage
conflict? Are you innovative? Do you respond quickly to
concerns or issues at hand and take responsibility for
your actions? Do you learn new skills quickly and are
you able to apply them back at work?
The answers to these
questions can help determine your competencies. Competencies
are the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that are necessary
for success in a job and an organization. Some examples
of competencies are: Planning and Organizing, Managing
Work (including Time Management), Decision Making, Communication,
Formal Presentation, Managing Conflict, Innovation, Initiative,
Customer Focus, Practical Learning. Some competencies,
like Persuasiveness/Sales Ability or System Design, for
example, are more specific to the jobs of a Medical Representative
and an Engineer, respectively. When looking for a new
job, you should match your competencies to what the job
requires-the better the match, the better the chances
the company will hire you, and more importantly, the better
the chances for your success. Try not to limit your options
to IT or marketing; think of your competencies and match
these with available jobs.
What do you enjoy doing?
You may be good in either computers or marketing; but
have you asked yourself if you enjoy your work? What you
like or dislike (or find satisfying or dissatisfying)
in your job and organization define your motivations at
work. Are you looking for a job that offers many promotion
opportunities, formal recognition, and high levels of
interpersonal support? Are you looking for an organization
that is lean and mean, values diversity, and promotes
personal growth? Match these motivations with what a position
or field offer. Again, try not to limit your options to
IT or marketing. The better the match, the greater your
motivational fit; the greater the fit, the happier (and
less confused) you will be.
The quadrant below
might be helpful when you plot out your options. When
you're weighing the pros and cons of a particular job
or field, try to plot it out on two axes: one for your
computer or technical skills, and the other for your motivational
fit.
There is a greater
chance for success and satisfaction in a job, organization,
and/or career, when there is a greater "match"
or "fit" with your competencies and motivations.
Give yourself ample time for self-reflection on these
two areas; hopefully, you will discover 1) why you're
in the IT or marketing field, 2) which field you really
"fit" in, and 3) what you need to do to get
a new job in that "best fit" field.
All the best in your
career, Cecille!
Yours truly,
Nikki
Nikki Dy-Liacco
works with SGV-Development Dimensions International (SGV-DDI)
a joint venture between SGV and Company, a management
consultancy firm and Development Dimensions International
(DDI). SGV-DDI specializes in aligning people systems
with business strategies to improve business performance
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