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WHY IS PASSION OVERRATED PART25/8/2018 The Who, What, When & Where
In my presentation, I posited that this is the time of their lives to figure out first and foremost, who they really are! This is the foundation of everything about what will happen in the next stages of one’s life. What I offered is an exercise to understand themselves through interests/skills/values meshing. When these three things were factored, it is a potent formula to determine that perfect permutation. That right fit between who you are, what you stand for, and what you are skilled at -is what people say, purpose, calling or vocation. The What? The sector of international development is vast. There are no clear roadmaps as in other fields, wherein you take a medical degree and then specialize, and then, you are on the right path. Even when there is a specific sectoral specialization, it is still broad and there are many entrance and exit points to it. If you are taking International Development as a graduate degree or undergraduate degree, it means that you are a generalist. Then, you have to further specialize. In our disrupted economy, the jobs of the future call for greater specialization than ever. 10 years ago, the generalists had a hard time finding jobs in the field. Today, there is no way that they can get the juiciest jobs without being a specialist in one area or another. Even as a generalist, the core functions of running and managing projects, organizations, networks, and movements call for a skills set that is transferable across these platforms. The Where? I get this question all the time- local versus global? As a beginner in the field, get experience at the local level. There are tons of organizations that would be needing volunteers for their programs. Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Once you have built your skills, networks, strategies, and perspectives, it is time to move forward to the global level if this is your desired track. As the world gets interconnected and interrelated, there is a blurring of the line between local and global as far as influence, authority, and reach is concerned. The information and communications technologies have created an expansive state where global actors can make a difference wherever they are. I have built my business on both local and global platforms and increasingly there is no problem with being based in North America while attuned to developing country contexts and needs. The When? When is the right time to start in humanitarianism or international development? Some of these high school students have been on different trips abroad for their school’s project in the developing countries. While they have started, they are still learning the ropes. At this stage in their lives, there are many things to consider -- further studies, getting a job soon, being involved in the community, among others. There would be time to clearly decide if this is a career for them or something to do on the side. When deciding a career, like any other occupations, the first thing to do is to get a good toe-hold of the sector they want to specialize. Some people have to delay or stall this part considering other things that life will throw at them and then eventually, later on, pursue it with more vigor and focus. While others, consider humanitarianism as a mindset and gladly tackle what is present in their communities. I would say that if they are serious about getting somewhere, they need to put the focus, time, and effort to that goal in mind. The perfect time will not come. There is always something happening simultaneously. The ability to balance those priorities is crucial. Parting Thoughts They will only be 16 once, and then, life happens. Self-discovery is a must, and this is a continuing process. Like any other profession, the more you are attuned to yourself, your values and your skills, the easier it is to get to that perfect place and space in humanitarianism whether locally or abroad. I hope that there are more opportunities like this for young people that have expressed interest in the sector and willing to have a head start in terms of knowledge, understanding, and capabilities needed to navigate their career paths. To the millennials, the sector welcomes your fresh inputs, ideas, and designs. Disrupt, reinvent, and revive it!
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WHY IS PASSION OVERRATED?5/7/2018 Over the weekend, I was one of the presenters at the First Annual Act: Humanitarian Leaders of Tomorrow Conference sponsored by A Better World Canada in partnership with the Centre for Peace and Justice here in Central Alberta.
I am very impressed with the caliber of the young people that participated. Some of them have been part of successful fundraising campaigns of their schools raising monies for humanitarian projects of A Better World in Africa and other places in need. Some are into local volunteering and very aware and interested in community development, rehabilitation, health, education, to name a few. And some are eager to learn the ropes and get into small projects that they can quickly implement. Some are still figuring out who they are, what their interests are and how they can make a difference. In my presentation, I posited that this is the time of their lives to figure out first and foremost, who they really are! Why is passion overrated? When I was that age and people say, follow your passion. It wasn’t helpful. I didn’t have a clue as to what I want to do and what to be (when I grow up) so to speak? There are many options and ideas presented. There are also many voices and unsolicited advice telling me what to do. While some of my high school friends have serious inclinations of being a doctor, a nurse, a journalist, a professor, an engineer, I don’t have those strong interests. I figured out later on that I was just being normal. There wasn’t anything wrong with that. I was still searching. Based on statistics, the average person would change careers 7x in a lifetime! While there is a lot to learn in international/community development/humanitarianism in terms of skills, career paths, and overall landscape, they can definitely learn all of that as they move along the process. The Who is the bedrock of everything To discover who you are as a person – your strengths, your weaknesses, your story, your unique abilities and inherent talents, and your personality/disposition is important to begin to understand what you are capable (potentials) of doing --as a vocation, career, occupation. What makes you joyful, feeling alive, being happy and contented? What makes you angry? What makes you feel fulfilled? The school, teachers, institutions, projects, and situations can provide information clues as to who you are, the unraveling part is your doing. Nobody will do that for you. To be continued........
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THE HUNGRY AMONGST US5/2/2018 How do we create the vision for the community?
The leaders look to the people --the masses for ideas, to galvanize for action, to demand certain things, so that the leaders will say yes this is what the people want and we will do it, we will deliver. The masses minding their own business, doing their daily grind do not care about their community governance so much unless it affects them like taxes, services, pool schedules, etc. When there is a call for engagement or participation, the masses would ask, what are our leaders’ vision in our community? What is the framework that we can unite on and engage in collective action? They look to the leaders to provide the vision, the inspiration, and the will to act. What happens is both the leaders and the masses wait for each other to create the vision for the future? Most of the time, this happens. When the leaders do not have the audacity to create a compelling and inspiring vision, they renege on their leadership function. They become expendable. There are already too many managers but not enough leaders in our society. Do not expect the masses to create a vision for the community. It is like asking them what they want to have for dinner. What about the hungry pack? Those who cannot wait for the next 10 years before the citizens get awakened and start to vote for the right people with the vision and right skills to take them to the next level. The hungry pack will be those who have a lot of stake in keeping a strong economy within the community, where the status quo is not enough, where dynamism is a prerequisite to growing industries that will attract and retain local talent and investments. These are the individuals, organizations, and enterprises that would like to protect the assets that exist but also enhance the uniqueness and strengths of the community. They can be consulted to help shape the general direction of change that needs to take place. The livability and vibrancy of the community come from the shared vision of a healthy, dynamic, safe and prosperous society. In your organization, who are the those that will not settle for the business-as-usual and would like to strive for better, smarter, and stronger outcomes. Seek them out and you might be surprised at what you will discover. Share your thoughts right here! |