| Have you lost your job? Do you know someone who | | | | Elise Brownell, Ph.D. was a high-ranking manager in a |
| has? | | | | major biotech firm in the San Francisco area. She |
| Chances are good you either know a family who has | | | | worked hard to climb the ladder of her profession |
| been affected by work layoffs or are one who was | | | | and was excellent at her work, one of the best, as a |
| laid off yourself. | | | | matter of fact. During 2008 she faced a layoff and |
| Statistics back in October 2007 showed more than | | | | was forced to re-evaluate her career direction. |
| 146 Million people working in the U.S. During the first | | | | She looked at her skills and found so many that she |
| five months of 2008 the U.S. Department of Labor, | | | | could not narrow them down to 3. Her choices |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded more than 4,000 | | | | included: |
| mass layoff events in the United States, affecting | | | | Planning, Organizing, Focus, Resourcefulness, Able to |
| more than 670,000 people and their families. | | | | see things in a new way, Able to develop healthy |
| It used to be that people looked for careers where | | | | & supportive relationships |
| they could stay with the same big company until | | | | As you can see, she was (and is) a very capable |
| retirement and leave with a pension. For a number of | | | | woman. |
| reasons, that is not necessarily an option anymore. If | | | | She then looked at her top 3 values and found she |
| you're looking to restructure your career, let me give | | | | was excellent at: |
| you the best starting point for finding work that | | | | Intellectual challenge, Financially sustaining and |
| matches your personality. | | | | becoming the best at whatever interested her. |
| You may not have many connections left to go back | | | | When asked what her top 3 interests/hobbies have |
| into your same industry. In that case, let's take a | | | | always been she answered, reading, playing piano and |
| quick look at where you can begin again. | | | | listening to music, swimming and going to the beach. |
| Your soul was born into your body with an amazing | | | | So what did she do with all this valuable information |
| array of talents, skills, interests and values. These are | | | | once she was laid off? She and a business partner |
| your God-given gifts and they will help you find a | | | | built their own ZephyrBiotech management staffing |
| career that is perfectly suited to your soul's desire | | | | business! |
| and your own personality. | | | | Elise has always incorporated a love of reading widely |
| Here's how to begin: | | | | in her Biotech career and is as up-to-date in new |
| List the top 3 skills that you enjoy. I may be a very | | | | industry trends and directions as anyone can be. She |
| good cook, but I really don't like the whole process. | | | | loves her work and it shows. Today she makes a |
| So cooking would not be one of my top 3 skills. | | | | point of listening to music playing in the background |
| List your top 3 values. I love helping people, I love | | | | while she works. During her days off, few and far |
| knowing more about God and I love sharing useful, | | | | between, she goes to the beach to unwind. Is this |
| practical information. That's why I am a career | | | | not the best of all worlds for her? She is PERFECTLY |
| counselor. | | | | suited to her professional life based on her Soul's |
| List your top 3 interests. Have you worked in fields | | | | desires and her God-given gifts. All she had to do |
| that include your interests? If not, start joining | | | | was define them and make a plan. |
| interest groups so you can begin networking. | | | | After thinking outside the box, she and her partner |
| Once you have identified your top 9 God-given gifts, | | | | now have a company which provides project |
| contact a career counselor, unemployment office or | | | | executive consulting services in the biotech industry, |
| head hunter to begin helping you find a career which | | | | specifically in the area of drug development. Because |
| matches you personality. | | | | Elise had always worked in biological sciences as a |
| Chances are your new job will be in a different field, | | | | R&D professional, she had enough background, |
| but it's your skills, talents, values and interests which | | | | determination and vision to start over. |
| you will now bring to your new career field. | | | | So can you. |