Fourth Post - The List

Many ideas have come up since I went to see that career counselor. They are so numerous and varied, I guess it refelects my inability to chose, my indecisiveness. But nonetheless, I need to have them all listed, so that I can see them all in one place. 

- HR

- Urban Planner

- Teacher

- Oil driller

- Emergency planning

- Construction

- 2010 Olympics

- Any green job (electrician)

- Any government job, Fed, Prov or City.

- Going back to school? BCIT

I actually went to see a Career Counsellor a few months back. I really hoped that it would help. But it didn't. The problem is that I've been doing the same thing for a while now. I'm becoming the proverbial old dog who wont learn new tricks. 

 I am not making a big effort to find another job, because I've been getting pretty regular work at the CBC. I've been neglecting the whole issue, which only feels like homework. Especially because it has yielded so few results. I've sent a few applications in, perhaps 8 or 10 serious ones. Not one call back. 

 The only interview I got was the one for the Surrey RCMP. And they chose someone else.  I also applied to the Vancouver RCMP as a researcher. Just friday for the US consulat in Calgary. 

  To the City of Vancouver as an Urban Planning assistant. The BC gov to work in their HR ministry. Which actually sounded like a great way to learn about jobs and later choose one. So I also thought about HR studies, and, along the same lines, od working for a Temp Agency. Again as a way to learn about the jobs that exist out there. 

 I applied to the government of Canada to work in Tourism. I've submitted my resume to VanOC for the 2010 Olympics. Actually I have to check the status of that. 

 I've applied to various Communications positions, just because I studied Communication, not really because I see myself doing that. 

 My mom has connections for me to become a teacher. But there to, not so sure I really want to do that. 

 I'm affraid of not getting a job, mostly. But I am also aware that I might find a job that I don't like, and end up sticking to it anyway. 

 And TV. Well, perhaps I just need a break. But I don't think a vacation will be enough. I am sick of Television. I really want to get into a new industry. 

 My brother in law works in Alberta extracting Natural Gas. He earns 8,000$/month, after only 5 months there. No education. Two weeks on, two weeks home. It is very tempting. He works barely more than I do, in hours per month, but earns twice what I do. Only he is away from home more than I. I guess, in a way, I am paying 60,000$ a year for the privilege of being home every night.   Only it wouldn't possible unless I moved much closer. 

 Which we are actually talking about. We should do a road trip for the Kootenays soon, in order to check it all out. I think I might be able to be happy in Nelson or Revelstoke. Those towns have populations of 10,000 people. Insanely small. It might drive me absolutely nuts. But than again, perhaps I'll be healthier and happier that ever before. 

 The smallest city I ever lived in was Quebec City, where I was raised. And urban area of 600,000. Then Montreal at 3 million, then Vancouver at 2 million. Vancouver sometimes feels like a big bad city. But I know it so well that it also feels small at times. But there is no denying that I suffer from stress more than I should. Partly because of the awfull commuting, whether on my bike or in my car.   Living in North Vancouver would be great if I could find a job in North Vancouver. 

 I could at the French school there. But I don't think I want to baby sit kids all day every day. I've been meaning to check out the planning departments of the municalities there. 

   

  God, what am I going to do with my life?

So it is Spetember 8th 2008. It is Monday morning, I'm working at Radio-Canada (the French CBC). I am editing on Avid Media Composer this week. Right now I am digitizing tapes and have some time to write and reflect.

 The deadline is in 3 days to apply for CCEE. The deadline has already passed for this semester for the BC Justice institute. And these are only random suggestions anyway. I have not done my homework. I have not looked closely at the programs that are offered at these insitutions. Nor have I looked at other programs or other institutions. I have not either looked closely enough at different jobs out there, so I don't even know if going back to school is even necessary.

 This is the 8th September, in my life, that I am not going back to school. I'd forgotten about this old pang, but for the last few years I'd been content and planning keep working in Media. This time I am unhappy with my career and hungry for change. 

 

First Post

Can someone tell me who I am?

Isn't that some silly song from Supertramp? Isn't it a cliché, adolescent question?

Well, once again I find myself asking this question, and again feeling guilty about it. Feeling like a man my age (34), and in my situation, should have had a solid plan a long time ago.

This my first blog, is meant to be more of a journal for the moment. So that I can gather my thoughts and find some order in chaos. Of course advice and encouragement are welcome. I know that I am not the only one out there going through a career crisis. I am thinking of a book I read a while ago called 'What should I do with my life', by Po Bronson. It was a great read, but as it warns, it does not provide answers. It did make me feel less guilty at the time. It is certainly normal to reconsider one's path, how one spends his days and earns a living. But enough is enough right? A move must be made eventually.

I will be looking back on the last year of my life. My girlfriend and I bought our first house and went through renovation hell. In the worst part of that insanity, we found out we were pregnant. We got lots of help from family, and now the house is livable. Our son was born July 9th and he is absolutely great.

But through all this I was also experiencing some major setbacks in my career. So I will be looking back on the last 5 five, which I have spent as a cameraman and video editor for the daily news. And of course, on the time I wasted before that, at Concordia University and Simon Fraser University.

I went to see a career counselor a few months ago, I will be writing down every avenue I have considered, and hopefully coming back to read my own thoughts and make some sense of it all.

If I do end up with a new job in a new industry, I will throw a major party and you are all invited.