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Maricopa Steward

Are You In the Right Job?

Most of us have asked ourselves this question, or one like it, several times during our lives. Usually it is prompted by a colleague or family member’s news of a major life change or in response to our own stressful situations. Daydreams of winning the lottery compel musings about the better life we could lead if only ... Although dreaming about a better life has its merits, it is important to be realistic with expectations for life and work. To that end, it is a good idea to periodically reflect on your current job, personal goals and family needs.

Introspection is an excellent way to take stock of where you are now and determine what you want. Ask yourself key questions:

1. Is this the right place for me at this time in my career and life?
2. Does this job meet my needs at this time?
3. Am I on track to do what I want?
4. Do I know what I want to do?

Additional considerations:

• Do you enjoy your work?
• What are your interests?
• What are your values?
• What are your skills?
• Have you outgrown your job?
• Do you just want to try something different?
• Is this they lifestyle you want?

As you begin to answer these questions, assume you have some idea of where you want to go and a clear career path. Create a set of criteria that fit your needs and use them to measure your job skills and personal satisfaction. Examples of criteria could be:

• Interesting and enjoyable work
• Chance for advancement
• Fit with personal vision and values
• Compensation, benefits and opportunity for advancement
• Fit with education and skills
• Fit with organization’s vision, mission and values
• “Gut level feel” for the job
• Professional status

Rank your current job against the criteria you have established using a scale of 1-10 (where 10 is the best fit) and add up your responses. Calculate the percentage to get a measure of how your job “fits” for you.

Maricopa offers career counseling at each of the colleges and the career counselors have at their disposal several personality profile tools and interest inventories that can be useful if you feel like you need a change. In addition, there are specific MCCCD courses related to career development such as:

• Movin' On Up
• Career Connections
• Employee & Organizational Learning Team (EOLT) Information Sessions
• Interviewing 101

EOLT also focuses on career development from a broad perspective (i.e., information and guidance, experiential learning opportunities and skills development) for employees, supervisors/managers and MCCCD. EOLT can work with you to develop your own individual learning plan and provide coaching if needed.

Maricopa Community Colleges Career Counseling Services

fit: adapted or suited; appropriate;
proper or becoming; qualified or competent,
as for an office or function

~ Ten colleges specializing in university transfer, continuing education, career and job training programs ~