Listen Up
Last night I received career counseling from a 25 year old PhD student. It took everything I had not to grab him by the shoulders and scream, “Have you even HAD a career?”
OK, granted, he’s studying counseling but I could have sworn that They wanted people to have life experiences before they counseled people. Was that something I heard in counseling? I have no idea.
So here’s the thing, I took the Strong Interest Inventory test and found out that I am an EAR. Yes, an ear. If right now you’re thinking, “Hey, that’s great! You might finally stop talking and start listening!” You suck. But if you’re thinking, “Oh! You’re Enterprising, Artistic, and Realistic.” You’re way smarter than most people I know.
Yes, I’m Enterprising, Artistic and Realistic – surprised? Anyone? I was. Realistic? Come on. You know me better than that.
Oh. Let me give you definitions.
Enterprising: The E type usually has leadership and speaking abilities, is interested in economics and politics and likes to be influential. The E type likes to work with people and ideas more than things.
Artistic: The A type usually has artistic skills, enjoys creating original work and has a good imagination. The A type usually enjoys working with ideas more than things.
Realistic: The R type usually has mechanical and athletic abilities, enjoys working outdoors and likes to work with tools and machines. The R type generally prefers to work with people or things more than ideas.
Reading these definitions can anyone gather why I’m so fucked up? I mean apparently I like to work with people and ideas more than things or is that just ideas more than things? Oh no, It’s people or things more than ideas. WTF?
Regardless the top career listed that I was told I should investigate (though Investigative wasn’t one of my stronger attributes so I’m not sure how I’m gonna work this out): Attorney. That actually makes sense to me – and I’m sure, to my parents. I can’t recall how many times I was told I should be a lawyer. Of course I thought it was a sarcastic response to my need to argue about everything. In fact, is Fucking Lawyer really a profession?
Sure, there were others. I could be a Technical Sales Representative, and Operations Manager, or a Top Executive. I think Top Executive is the job I’m going to apply for though. Who wouldn’t want to be a Top Executive?
OK, so maybe I sound like it wasn’t all that helpful, and believe it or not, 25 or not, it actually was. I mean, I learned a lot about my answers and my need to explain them to complete strangers. I also learned I could make friends easily with other confused, striving-to-define-themselves individuals. I also found that I can ask a potential counselor a lot more questions than he might be prepared to answer about himself during a workshop meant for me. Oh. And the other girl in the class. But mostly for me. Right? I mean….
Right, so I learned a lot. I learned I have to find out more. I learned that I answered this test more like flight attendants than Interior Designers. Though that can’t be right. But Ryan (the 25 year old PhD) said that just means I’d have more in common with Flight Attendants than Interior Designers. Does that mean I’m more likely to condescendingly ask you to remove your headphones during our conversation? Or will I simple have the need to pass out nuts everywhere I go?
All-in-all, it’s another good experience and I’m feeling the heady lightness of knowing I’m doing something about it all – even if I don’t find all the answers at once. I am also going to start asking 25 year olds everywhere what THEY are doing with their lives. Damn it.