The process for identifying a career area to pursue has followed a similar pattern for a number of years. Research, observation, career consulting and networking have all been contributors to career development.  Additionally, with the new era opportunities offered via online access the availability of job information has widened to a level never dreamed of!  However, I believe the challenge of deciding what career track to follow has actually become more difficult.  The information overload, the speed of job creation, job changes and yes even job eliminations have enabled some who have tremendous world-of-work potential…to become Career Runaways.

Career Runaways are those who often enter a workplace due to convenience or fiscal necessity.  And even though you might think I’m talking about todays young adults, let me assure you that Career Runaways are found at every age level. No don’t misunderstand my position!  Many Career Runaways are very successful in the jobs or work areas that they are involved in.  They have a great work ethic and an excellent company/organization supporting mindset.  But are they able to make the professional development impacts that they might with just a little more education, training, opportunity exposures and/or just plain encouragement?

Today more than ever before…I feel that FULL (i.e. FULL TIME + CAPACITY) employment is in some way everyone’s job.  Whether it is job coaching a young person, encouraging a friend to just take one class, admitting to co-worker’s failure moments that helped you try harder and/or not being afraid to build a network of colleagues that have professional expectations of your true potential.

Bottomline: Help who and whenever you can. Consider it an opportunity of a lifetime…because you may never know the extended good that you may do.