I’ve never been a big fan of labels. We have the Millennials, Generation X, Generation Y, and of course, Baby Boomers. I searched the Internet and couldn’t find an official name for the current generation, but stay tuned and an appropriate label will arrive soon.
The Millennial generation is often referred to as being special. Some have suggested they have an attitude of entitlement, and they’ve been encouraged to follow their dreams. This generalization is fostered when we hear about those who start an online business and within two or three years they sell their company for tens of millions of dollars. When I grew up, the popular path to becoming an overnight millionaire was professional sports, but the potential of becoming a billionaire on the Internet has raised the bar much higher.
Today, the dream of becoming an overnight success is fanned by the television show “Shark Tank.” Occasionally, we’ll hear about the deals that have failed, but most of the stories are about the successes, and they’re earning millions within months. At a time when the middle class is shrinking and average wages are dropping it is almost cruel to tease us with the possibility of making millions overnight. It’s happened to those people, why not me?
Entrepreneurs often are told they must be 100 percent committed to their dreams and anything less won’t get it done. The straight line of a 100 percent commitment may be the only option for some, but it’s not the best or only option for many.
Maintaining parallel career paths is not easy but most realistic for a large majority of people. The dream of making it big is not reserved for the Millennial; it is a realistic dream for people of all ages. Colonel Sanders, the creator of Kentucky Fried Chicken, started his franchise at the age of 74. Of course, he doesn’t fit into any of the generations we described, but he’s an excellent example who inspires millions of Baby Boomers to keep trying.
Having a regular job that pays the bills does not exclude the possibility of pursuing a second career. One of the more obvious choices is to attend school on a part-time basis to obtain a totally new set of skills. My daughter completed a bachelor’s degree in natural resources, had a full-time job in the field, and years later pursued a career in interior design. It was an indirect path to finally follow her passion. Sara will be the first to tell you that remaining in a career she didn’t enjoy was not an option she was willing to accept. The deciding factor is your level of dissatisfaction with your current career. How hard are you willing to work to make the change?
Many careers don’t require additional education but do require on-the-job experience that is typically obtained through an apprenticeship or hands-on experience. Working evenings or weekends frequently are required if you are serious about changing careers. If you were hoping for a simpler solution, then you probably aren’t serious about making the change.
After all the extra work, what happens if you don’t enjoy your new career more than your current one? Are you stuck because you’re afraid of making a mistake? This fear has stopped many people from trying. For this, I have a very clear and simple solution.
Volunteer your time to test the waters. In the process of volunteering you will have access to people to help with decision-making. Don’t sit on the sidelines imaging what it’s like to be a carpenter, teacher or nurse. In the process of finding your way, you will build a network that will eventually help you make the transition.
The probability of staying in one career path your entire life is becoming less and less likely. Parallel career plans are becoming a necessity, not a luxury. Forget all the labels and start a parallel path toward a new career that will make you smile. Enjoy the journey!
Bill Kaminski is president of Stone Associates Training. He is an HR consultant with 35 years of experience in the employment field, teaching managers the art of hiring great employees. Bill is also an adjunct instructor at Keuka College. You can contact Bill with questions, suggestions or comments at www.bill@stoneassociatestraining.com.
