Are you in an arranged marriage without knowing it?

by Lisa Taylor

Last week I read an interesting article written by Jeff Haden. The headline asked, “Is your profession like an arranged marriage?”  Haden described the realization that occurs 15 or 20 years into a career when it becomes apparent that the career was chosen for someone, rather than by them. Parents help choose academic paths, which lead to first jobs and over time, develop into whole careers--all determined by actions taken before anyone really knew what they wanted.

I know just what Jeff means.

Fifteen years ago, I graduated and joined a public policy consultancy. On my first day I was told that I had been transferred into the IT consulting practice and twelve years later, I found myself running one of the largest IT consulting practices in Canada with a resume and network that clearly indicated I am a techie. Except that I am not a techie. My career to that point was certainly an arranged marriage, one that was happy and productive, but not one entirely of my own choosing.

Leaving one profession for another is not easy. People are programmed to move up the corporate ladder along the rungs that have been set out by the industry, the company or a network’s expectations. However, just because someone has been a lawyer for the last 15 years doesn’t mean they must continue in private practice forever. Or, in my case, having a strong, successful career in one industry doesn’t prevent me from moving to another.

My clients usually admit they are overwhelmed with the risk and complexity involved in career decisions, so they often delay doing anything. Year after year they find themselves talking with family and friends about how they wish they could make a change. If only they knew what they wanted to do next. If only they knew how to make the transition with network, reputation, finances and lifestyle intact.

The fall is the perfect time to set goals related to career change. Employees and entrepreneurs alike can enter 2012 with very exciting and realistic New Year’s resolutions related to work—if only they took some time now to put career decisions on the radar.

People who recognize their profession feels like an arranged marriage have already taken the first step. They just don’t know it

Let’s talk next about how to start in the pursuit of more meaningful work.

After all, it’s your career. What are you waiting for?

Image courtesy Microsoft Office.