Managing Generation X
The Journey back to school is one that many people in their
late twenties or early thirties are undertaking. The economy
is currently in a market-driven phase having just survived the
dramatic effects of downsizing, restructuring, and reengineering.
In this market- driven phase, many individuals are discovering
they need to “re-career” in order to find stability
in the new economy. As well, people are choosing to re-career
because they are finding that their passion lays elsewhere.
Fortunately, there is more and more space for people like this in
the work force these days says Bruce Tulgan, author of Managing
Generation X, Talent Wars and founder of Rainmaker
Thinking Inc., a research and consulting firm that specializes in
the working lives of those born after 1963.
Realizing Dreams
Two examples of the current trend of mature students are
Andi Higgs and Mia Mcdonald. Both have decided to re-career.
Both come from different backgrounds that necessitated
career changes. Mia is happy in her new career in the film
industry; while Andi is about enter Simon Fraser University’s
Education Department. Both face challenges that are specific
in terms of the field they are in and both women are sure
they have made the right decision to re-career.
Andi has been in the workforce since 1988, working in a variety
of jobs: retail, childcare, and teaching music. Coming out of high
school, she does not remember ever having a dream and says that, “ I
didn’t even have a grasp of the concept of a dream, let alone
realizing one. I thought: this is as good as it gets.” Now
at 33 she has found her dream is a combination of two of her passions,
music and children.
Mia as well bounced around in her twenties from waitress job to
waitress job, a brief stint at UBC in linguistics did not reveal
her passion however, a trip to Australia did. On the beach late
at night, she watched some baby turtles hatch out of their eggs
and make their way towards the ocean. It was at that moment she
decided she wanted to be a filmmaker. At age 27, she entered Simon
Fraser University’s department of Communications, earning
her bachelors’ degree in October 2002. Mia wanted a career
that was “ something art-related that makes a living.”
The Journey
Mia had a very positive experience at Simon Fraser; she went
for 5 semesters straight, never skipped a class and got good grades. “ I
was aware of how precious money was. ”
The faculty was very supportive and there were many workshops and
guest lectures with outside professionals that made her transition
into the workforce fairly easy. It was a challenge juggling a job
and school, but she always made sure that school came first. Upon
graduation, Mia did an extra course with the Directors Guild of
Canada, which enabled her to work on set as a production assistant.
She had a job by March of 2002.
Andi is keen to make her life experience her greatest ally when
she goes to University. She has lived both in Canada and abroad,
and her work history provides valuable experience that will enhance
her University experience. When asked what she thinks she will attain
along with a degree that will enable her to land a job in the field
of education Andi says,” I want to do something that I’m
qualified for that I can put my heart and soul into, something that
will enable me to have a career, benefits, that belated root canal,
pension, and eventually, maternity leave. I want to thrive as opposed
to survive.”
Mia agrees,” It’s also about having chutzpah, now when
I walk in a room I have that confidence that comes with having a
degree, it ’s opened so many doors.”
Talent Wars
In his book, Talent Wars, Bruce Tulgan
addresses the post downsizing world of what he terms “phase three”,
in which relationships between employer and employee has shifted from “feudal
to market-driven”. This means that companies that have downsized and are
now looking for quality people and will seek talented employees out. They are
looking to remain lean and that means hiring a few people that are very good
at what they do. And, talented people know this: if they aren’t happy where
they are, they can easily find work elsewhere or become self -employed.
Last September, CNN.com reviewed The Good News About
Careers by Barbara Moses, who believes that modern
workers need to be flexible, adaptable and self-reliant in
order to manage their careers in a rapidly changing workforce.
Andi and Mia certainly fit this description, Mia loves the
independence that working in film gives her and will have
her own production company by age 35, and Andi is toying
with the idea of opening her own Montessori kindergarten.
These women have the vision and the drive to attain their
goals. When asked if they have any advice when considering
re-careering Mia says,” It’s never too late,
set a goal and go for it.” Andi says, “ Do it
for yourself. If nothing else I’ll always know this
is something I did just for me.
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