APU Careers Careers & Learning

Filling the Void Before It Takes Over

By Jacquelyn Brookins
Contributor, Career Servicesoffice-bullies

At my organization, there is a heavy emphasis on understanding our personality types, interests, strengths, and weaknesses, and then looking further into how we can work more efficiently with each other based off of the results from the numerous assessments that we use. During my first 6 months I attended a Focus 2 (A Career and Education Planning System for College Students) workshop. My results revealed that my strengths and preferences did not match the role I was in. This was a problem. Have you ever found yourself in this situation, where analytically, everything should add up, but you find that there is a missing link?

I left that meeting very conflicted. Here I was in a great new position that met all of my work desirables – doing something that makes a difference, a perfect work/life balance, and working with amazing colleagues and management – but I couldn’t help but wonder whether I would burn out or become dissatisfied rather quickly. The good news: I was able to recognize the problem before it surfaced to reflect and come up with a plan to move forward.

In this situation, the only way to find satisfaction in your current position is to find a way to incorporate pleasure with the work. As an artistic person that thrives on being creative and making visions come to life, I needed to find a way to hone in on my skills without leaving behind a great career. Of course, if I could do crafts all day and actually make a living off of it I would, but that just is not realistic for me.

Immediately, I found a party planning committee that I could get involved in. For a year I was able to help plan team builders, baby and bridal showers, and other celebrations. Once the New Year began, I was asked to lead the committee and found new ways to make it my own. The “party planning” committee became an “engagement committee” with a focus on boosting morale and keeping our primarily remote department engaged with one another. During these meeting and events that we host, I am exploding with enthusiasm and joy, as planning, creating, and negotiating is what I excel at.

By recognizing a work deficit, you can take action to improve things before you find yourself feeling dissatisfied and confused. Sure, leading an engagement committee may not be the biggest resume booster, but by doing so, I have been able to retain a job where I make a difference alongside amazing people, spend ample time with my family, and tap into my strengths and interests. I encourage everyone to find your missing link and take charge of your work satisfaction. When you do, the long meetings and other unfavorable aspects of your job become that much more bearable.

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