Want Some Global Career Advice?
Check out our Knowledge Base (here) to see all of our contributors awesome entries! 11 countries & 1 digital nomad, 22 industries & counting, over 100 years of experience shared!
Tiny History Lesson
Career advice 90’s style!
When I was a child my mum had asked me what work I wanted to do when I was older. At the age of five I answered I wanted to be a cleaner. As an older kid when my sisters and I would turn every room of our house into a make-believe mall, I would always run the pretend cafe (boxes overturned with blankets on as tables in my bedroom, toy tea set at the ready).
As a student growing up in Birmingham, England I learnt about what I thought was a breadth of professions that I would come into contact with. From customer service roles, vets, doctors, dentists, teachers, taxi drivers, railway staff, rescue services, social workers, local council workers, lollipop people (school crossings), mechanics, hospitality staff (at theme parks, hotels, holiday parks, restaurants,airports) to list just a few.
Back in the 1990’s I sat in the classroom at secondary school (high school) and heard my name called. It was my turn to go and speak with the career advisor. Walking down the corridor I felt a mix of pressure and excitement as I thought I was sure to discover what work I would undertake for my own career.
The advisor asked me questions about my interests, what I liked the most from school and if I had anything already in mind as to the job I wanted to do. Having what I thought was a good understanding of jobs available ‘out there’ I was confident with my contribution to the discussion.
For me at the time I felt content with aiming to do something in the field of business. For example management, business administration, marketing or strategy work.
I went on to university and achieve a BSc (Hons) Business Management degree and then entered the world of work full time.
Roll On To 2016
Today my profession as a Java Programmer is a little leap from my origional career goal ‘something in business’.
What guides us to decide what career to pursue? It is possibly a mix of practical experience, how much we know about ourselves at a younger age, exposure to different jobs (directly or seeing others undertake the work), the amount of support or advice from family, friends, peers and advisors.
I still have the same passion for all aspects of business including marketing, managing people, corporate strategy, etc. I enjoyed the various work I undertook (including recruitment consulting, restaurant manager, event coordinator, sales) but I felt that there was something missing.
This is when I realised career advice just needs to get dynamic.
Career Advice Just Got Dynamic!
The field of programming (like many other fields) has changed so much since the 1990’s. Java was released in 1995, the way people communicated via mobile device or online was drastically different than the present day. The role of an Android app developer didn’t even exist.
In the field of I.T thousands of new jobs have been created from a Market Research Data Miner, Social Media Manager, Search Engine Optimisation Consultant, User Experience Design Professional to Cloud Computing positions (including Database Managers & Engineers) to give just a few examples.
So what factors should play a part when choosing a career? Well……..everything that did come into play for me and MORE!
I believe career advice should be given where all of the latest jobs can be considered. From emerging markets creating new opportunities entirely, to seeing established markets create new challenges and diversity in pre-established roles.
It’s almost impossible for people in certain areas of work to keep up to date with all the changes within their sector. The pressure on career advisors is immense considering they need to provide a true “glimpse” into the world of work. They do an awesome job, we hope to be able to assist in their great work. We want to expand on the amount of up-to-date and relevant information available.
I believe the source of career advice information needs to be dynamic. It should be provided by people around the world undertaking the work. This provides the most up-to-date insight and can prove to be invaluable advice.
This concept means the information is relevant for today’s job market. It also accounts for the changing way people undertake work. From working remotely, emigrating for work opportunities, job sharing, to the increased market for contractors.
This is the reason we work hard to provide more than just career advice, but to provide Our World Of Work!
Decision For Any Age!
My own experience has meant I am proof that you can change career at an older age. Making a choice about what career to aim for or work to undertake is not limited to school leavers or people below the age of 20.
I was 30 years old when I decided to take the plunge, leave my job and change career.
Different factors come into play at different stages of ones life, when assessing what options are available to you, what work you would like to pursue and how you can go about achieving your goals.
Our World Of Work aims to be a support for people of all ages around the world.
If you would like to read more about my personal experience please click here and see the Personal Experience section.
Passion Is The Key
Passion is a big factor in finding work that feels less like….work.
We want to make more people feel content with their work. To discover job roles in which time seems to pass by quickly or finding yourself counting to the clock starting, not to it ending. To feel the work fits in with your skills, beliefs, values and passions. 
