Work it out

1. In her "My Turn" essay, Lisa Kerschner points out that many farmers once held "regular" jobs but began farming out of a need to serve the greater good. This underscores the importance of not only choosing a career based on your interests and skills, but also values and lifestyle choices that drive other parts of your life. Develop and design an "inventory" of your interests and skills, or a list of both the things you enjoy and the skills at which you excel. Now, add values and lifestyle choices to your personal inventory. Is it important for you to make money? To be of service to the public? In what environment are you most productive? Do you like to travel? Are you willing to relocate for the right career? What education or training are you willing to undertake? What does your inventory tell you about yourself?

2. Now, write your own "My Turn" essay that describes your personal inventory and what you might have learned about yourself in compiling it. Based on what you've discovered, what career choices do you see in front of you? Which would best combine your interests, skills, values and lifestyle preferences? Share your essays as part of a Career Day activity or for inclusion in your portfolio.

© 2008