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Stereotypes of career choice and relocation
"Want to travel? Be a travel agent!" and other
life stereotypes
You've probably been taught not to stereotype people based
on race, religion or sex. But when you make a career or other
life choice, do you still make decisions based on stereotypes?
Career Stereotypes
"Insurance sales reps must be gregarious." Hal,
a successful insurance agent for many years, has developed
a portfolio of loyal, happy clients. Hal can be described
as an introvert. He rarely speaks unless spoken to, and then
he speaks briefly and softly. His clients have learned that
he's a caring, dedicated agent who never misses a detail.
"Accountants sit quietly and crunch numbers." These
days, accountants, especially those in the large firms, have
to become experts at client relations. Often they're expected
to steer business towards the firm's consulting division.
"Want to travel? Be a travel agent!" In my younger
days, when you could get on a plane with zero screening and
enjoyed more than an inch of legroom, I loved to travel. When
I sought ideas for advancement, people would shrug and say,
"Be a travel agent!"
Surprise! Travel agents rarely travel. After all, someone
has to stay in the office and answer calls from clients. A
major perk involves the "fam" or familiarization
trips, when they're invited as a group to preview a new resort
or discover a new locale. There's rarely time for leisurely
sight -seeing.
These days, a corporate travel agent is more like a traffic
cop than a friendly guide, charged with enforcing regulations
of the company who pays her commission: "The non-stop
flight is two hundred dollars more than the connecting flight
with the two-hour stopover. Looks like you've got two hours
in Cleveland."
After dealing with hundreds of less-than-thrilled employees,
one agent told me he was quitting the industry, probably for
the more serene life of a bill collector.
Relocation Myths
"Big cities are unfriendly:" Any place seems hostile
to newcomers. I've lived in several of the largest cities
in North America and found helpful, caring people everywhere.
Often businesses are more helpful simply because there's more
competition.
"The desert is all sand and cactus." In the high
desert of New Mexico, where I live, we have green trees, flowering
plants, and snow in the wintertime. We have abundant fruit
trees and sometimes we have to rake leaves in fall.
"Small towns are conservative, you have to join a church
and country club, and you must be married." Probably
some are. My town has less than twenty thousand people, yet
I know lots of very happy residents who forego churches and
country clubs in favor of coffee shops and art galleries.
We have many single people and a sizeable gay population.
Generalizations? Well, nearly everyone has a dog or cat and
most people share a home with more than one.
How can you avoid stereotypes?
Traditional career tests often are based on outdated or stereotyped
visions of careers. Stereotypes of locations tend to be perpetuated
by folks who have never visited, let alone lived there.
I encourage anyone contemplating a life change to follow
the Rule of Six. Talk to at least six people who have real,
hands-on experience on the path you want to follow. If they
clam up and say they're too busy to talk, you've learned a
great deal already.
Most people will begin with a happy, party-line spiel. Dig
deeper till you start uncovering negatives and warnings.
On the rare occasions you hear a lot of negatives, keep going
until you discover a positive. Harry almost gave up on his
goal when four people talked about problems getting clients
for a unique consulting business. After we talked, he realized
they had all used the same time of marketing -- and they weren't
very good at it. He broadened his search to gain a new perspective.
The Bottom Line
I'm always amazed at how many experts base recommendations
on stereotyped versions of careers and places to live. Often
career assessments are based on outdated stereotypes. That's
why you may be advised to become a funeral director or a florist
when you really belong in outside sales.
There's no substitute for gathering your own information
from people who have been there and back. If something sounds
too good -- or too bad -- to be true, it probably is.
| Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D. is an author, career coach, and
speaker. She works with mid-career professionals who want to make a fast
move to career freedom. Visit her site http://www.movinglady.com
or call 505-534-4294. |
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