Careers

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General Career Questions

¨ What would the be ethical procedure for changing jobs?
¨ Should I reconsider my goals because of ADHD?
¨ How long does it take to get a degree and how can someone, like me, of low income afford it?
¨ Career project interview questions
¨ Making a good first impression starts today
¨ If I want to raise a family, should I forget about my career dreams?

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QUESTION:
I have a question regarding changing careers. I have been working with a company for about two years and was recruited by my current employer immediately after completing university. I enjoy the work that I am doing but in the last year I have began to feel uncomfortable with the work environment (mostly company policy and professional issues, not personal). I am considering a career change but I am unsure about how to proceed with a change. I do not wish to create a negative environment in the office by job-hunting while I am employed. As a professional working in Canada, and being new to changing jobs, what would be the ethical procedure to follow and are there any agencies that could assist me?

ANSWER from Michelle Mock on 24 July 2003:
Our Question and Answer project is intended for young students and therefore your question does not fall into the category of the type we would typically answer. This is a very general answer based on personal opinion.

I am going to assume that you are young and relatively new to the work force with approximately two years of actual work experience since you completed your degree. Please forgive me if I guessed wrong, but this answer is based on that assumption.

It's important that you enjoy your work and that you agree with the policies and direction of the company you work for. Often you will find that the job match may not be the right one for you. That happens. It's normal. Most employers understand that. Also, if you are not comfortable with the work environment, your superiors and co-workers may be able to sense it.

Looking at other options while currently employed is not unethical. You do not want to give notice before you have another job lined up and the only way to find another job is to search. However, you should not do your job searching or interviewing on company time. You should also be careful not to divulge any sensitive information about your company while job hunting. You should notify prospective employers not to contact your current employer until you are ready for them to do so. Unless you are serious about a prospective employer, there is no reason for them to start checking your employment history or references.

If you have a good relationship with your superiors, you may want to discuss your options with them. Sometimes, being upfront about your goals and expectations can be helpful. How you go about telling them you are leaving (or planning to leave) is up to you. If you do not tell them, be discreet. For example, don't be discussing interviews with other employees.

Keep a good relationship with your current employer. It will benefit you in the long run. Many times, people will change jobs to go with a competitor. In those instances, you don't want to give away "company secrets" to the competitor even after you go to work for them. Many companies have procedures in place that prevent you from taking a job with a competitor (for obvious reasons). Don't "burn your bridges".

The Internet makes it really easy to look for jobs now a days. Go to Google.com and type Canada jobs and you will find several sites which list job openings. You can also do a more refined search by including your profession (e.g., Canada jobs medical or Canada software development jobs) or other information in your search. You can discreetly search for potential jobs using the internet. Most places allow you to submit your resume over the Internet. However, do this from home, on your own time. Never use company time and resources for job hunting.

You didn't ask, but some advice about applying for jobs... Find out as much as you can about your prospective employer before you apply. Be prepared to tell them why you want to work for them. Determine if the match is a good one before you apply. When you are asked why you are leaving your job, be honest but respectful of your employer. You will create a better impression if you are kind.

I hope this helps. Again, this is based solely on personal opinion and just guessing at your situation.

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QUESTION:
Please don't think I am crazy for asking this. I really would like an expert's opinion to my question. I am in college hoping for a career in X-ray tech. I have ADHD. Expertly, would you advise me to continue toward my X-ray tech career or should I switch to something easier for me because of my ADHD. I really want to know before I get too far because this is my life on the line. I don't want to set myself up for failure.

ANSWER from Michelle Mock on 13 April 2005:
Thank you for writing to us! No, we do not think you are crazy for asking this. This is actually a terrific question!

Please do not let a label (or a condition) decide your fate. When it comes right down to it, ADHD is nothing more than a label. If it is out of control, you can see a medical professional for techniques or medications to get it under control. Many times, you can overcome the symptoms of ADHD with the proper treatment and it won't impact your choice of careers in any way.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a very real condition but many times teachers and others label kids who are curious and active as hyperactive or ADHD. You can also have ADD which is Attention Deficit Disorder without the hyperactivity. ADHD does not need to disrupt a person's life or career choices. Often, someone's passion for their chosen career is enough to overcome the symptoms of the disorder.

Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Never let anyone (not even an expert) tell you that you can't do something. You can do anything you put your mind to. If your ADHD creates a problem, see a doctor and get any treatment you might require. Get a second or third opinion. There ARE treatments and techniques that help. Don't choose "something easier" to avoid failure. Failures are really what life is about. That is how we learn.

You can get more information about ADHD at:
http://www.ricklavoie.com/ and http://www.LDOnline.com/

I highly recommend F.A.T. City and other videos by Richard Lavoie. Richard is an expert on the topic of learning disabilities. I have heard him speak and spoken with him several times.

I wish you all the best in your studies and future career. I am sure you will make an excellent X-ray technician or anything else you choose to do. It's also okay to change careers along the way. Never think you are stuck with a career that doesn't work for you. Find what you LOVE to do and you will be successful.

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QUESTION:
How long does it take to get a degree and how can someone, like me, of low income afford it?

ANSWER from Jenny Alvarez on 6 November 2005:
The amount of time you spend in school depends on the subject you have decided to study. If you are looking to continue school after High School, you have several options. Four year universities and Community Colleges are the most popular, but vocational school is also an option. Georgia has a great deal of opportunity for higher education and I suggest you go online to find scholarship and grant programs for the subject you choose to persue.

When I was in college, I used www.fastweb.com to find scholarships. I also found this website that might help you:
http://www.gsfc.org/HOPE/Index.cfm

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QUESTION:
What was it like in the Navy? Where do you work as a police officer? I am asking you these questions because I am doing a report about police officers and things like that! But I have more questions for you. Who or what inspired you to become a police officer? What is the best part of your job? How much are you paid per year? Do you like what you are doing? Do you have a difficult time with your job and the family at the same time? What other advice do you have for young children trying to get a good education but all these bad things are happening in the town? What do you think about all the murders and killing that are going on around the world?

ANSWER from Michelle Mock on 16 February 2006:
Please tell us who these great questions are for! Also, our experts are very busy and can't answer a series of questions. You need to send one question at a time and send the most important questions first. Some of these questions may be answered in the interview of the expert you are writing to. If they are not in the interview, the expert would be happy to answer but only one question at a time. Usually it is better to send one question and wait for an answer before sending more to the expert. Here are some hints for asking good questions:

1) Word your question so the expert might answer your other questions without you having to specifically ask.
2) Direct your question to the specific expert you want to answer. For example: "Hi (expert name). My name is Michelle and I am in ... grade (or I am ... years old)."
3) Don't ask how much money a person makes. That is rude. Ask instead what the salary range is for a specific job in a particular part of the country.

Your questions are EXCELLENT. If the expert has not answered these questions in the Imagiverse interview, I am sure he/she would be happy to answer for you. We have two police officers (one retired) and a police dispatch officer interviewed at Imagiverse. Please read all their interviews (Dana Johnson, Dorothy Johnson, Chuck Magdalena) and ask your questions of each. Please make sure the question has not been answered in their interview or in past Q&A (search the archives).

We look forward to receiving your questions one at a time. They are very, very good. Thanks for asking!!

Michelle Mock
Imagiverse Educational Consortium

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QUESTION:
I am doing my graduation in English.i want to know how effective will it be if i specialise in human resource in my MBA degree?will i get a job in the media sector?

ANSWER from Imagiverse on 5 April 2006:
This is something that you need to discuss with your counselors at the university. I am sorry but this is a bit too specific to answer. Also, no degree guarantees you a job. It will depend a LOT on where you want to work, if there are openings that match your qualifications, etc.

A bit of unsolicited advice... How you present yourself is also a big factor in your career aspirations. When you send an email or communicate with a a website via a form, you should still write with proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. Please look at your submission and ask yourself what kind of first impression that might give.

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QUESTION:
I am a female high school student and not very clear about my future professional career. I have always dreamed of having a dedicated career. However, I fear that it will occupy all my time and I will not have any time for family. If I want to raise a family, should I forget about my dream? How would taking time off for maternity leave or to raise children impact my career? Would I have enough time to spend with my children when they are growing up?

ANSWER from Stephanie Wong on 19 July 2006:
More and more women are considering working full-time and going into fields which were uncommon for them just a few decades ago. Sometimes these jobs are demanding and so it would be difficult to assume a full-time "traditional" homemaker role as well. Once you have both parents working, the dynamics of the household will change. This has come into large effect nowadays when women are seriously pursuing careers. But this doesn't mean that one can't have a family life as well. Different cultures will adapt to the new situation in different ways.

Many women assume the role of both careerwoman and primary caregiver. Obviously, the amount of work to juggle will increase, and the time you devote to each will be your own choice. There is still the stigma of the stay-at-home dad. In most societies, people expect men to be the breadwinner and the women to take care of the kids. But this is narrow-minded thinking. There is no reason why not the woman can have a career and the man rear the kids. Career-willing, the parents can trade roles when desired so that the children are equally brought up by both. When both parents are working, time must be better-spent in order to handle career and home.

Becoming of much more relevance today is daycare. Before children enter school or during the afternoon hours after school, children are taken care of by these professionals. The increased income of both working parents can usually afford it. One must consider, though, if your job is not too well-paying is it worth having someone else take care of your children? It's each family's own decision.

The issue of childcare and role of the parents in the home is not a solved issue. When a person has an extremely demanding job that often takes them away from the home, he/she and the partner will have to consider the choices that they have. Whether they have children and how their career plays into it will be a big decision. But what is important is to look at is that the dilemma does not lie solely with the woman. The father should have an active role in his children's life, too. Depending on what career decisions you make, you will have to analyze how children play into it. Can you spend enough time with them? Will you be satistified leaving them at daycare? Will your partner assume some childcare responsibilities? The couple will have to make their own choices. It is alright to become a full-time parent. It is also alright to to become a careerwoman. As long as you dedicate proper time to both, it should be fine.

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Last Updated:
15 August 2006