Gonzaga University Career Center Blog

Recently one of the Career Center team members asked us if we had seen this video of Nora the Cat playing the piano.  I had quickly replied, “Why no…I have not.”  (You see just a secret about me, I am much more of a dog person than a cat person.)  The video is of a little cat who has been taught how to play the piano by her owner.  Although Nora isn’t playing Beethoven or Bach, there is something impressive about seeing that little cat hitting the ivory keys.

What, does this have to do with job hunting and career development?  Well, everything…simply stated.  If a cat can learn how to play the piano, then you the job hunter can learn a new skill or improve upon an old one to make yourself more marketable.  (I feel the “Ah-ha!” moment coming!) In this tight job market, anything you can do to set yourself will make you a stronger candidate for potential employers.

Ideas off the Top of My Head:

• Public Speaking:  Do you have a fear of public speaking?  Well, if you are in-between jobs this could be a great time to learn to hone this skill.  Join Toastmasters and get over the fear of the podium.
• Computer Skills:  Are you not quite savvy with Microsoft 2007?  Have you been itching to expand your knowledge of Publisher, Photoshop or Powerpoint?  Take a class at the local community college to expand your computer literacy.
• Networking: If you are still nervous about networking, start small now.  For example, attend a book or hobby club where you can meet people with similar interests as you.  You will be so excited to discuss the book, the idea of networking won’t be an issue.

These are just three fairly basic ideas.  Any blog readers out there have more ideas of how to continue to learn in-between job hunting?  We’d love to hear from you…post your ideas in the comments.  We do read them all!

Tags: Career Development, Life Development, Success in Economy

Sticking to the theme of inspirational sports figures (fictional and real) I can’t help but pay homage to one of my personal favorites: Rudy.  If you have never seen the film, I order you to Netflix it right here…right now.  The movie will make you laugh and cry all while learning a great lesson.

The movie is the true story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger who, ever since childhood, has dreamed of playing football for the fighting Irish.  Rudy is not the typical football player type. He is small (you could consider him the runt of the family) and with little athletic ability he hardly has a shot.  With friends  and family not believing in him (everyone except for his best friend Pete), it would be easy for Rudy to just give up.  But his heart and passion drives Rudy to fulfilling his dreams.

After years of struggle and failure, Rudy finally finds himself on the football team for the fighting Irish.  Never missing a practice, Rudy is committed to his next dream: playing just one game.  Each day he arrives giving all his heart and passion.  Both coaches and fellow teammates recognize Rudy’s heart. In fact one coach commented on his heart to a player by saying, “ If you had a tenth of the heart of Ruettiger, you’d have made All-American by now! As it is, you just went from third team to the prep team! Get out of here!”

Rudy followed his passion and heart which lead him to work at 110% each and every day.  He gained the respect of his teammates and coaches, who allowed him to dress for the final game of his senior year.  I am not going to spoil the ending for those who haven’t seen the film, but the last moments will bring tears to the eyes of any cynic.

What does this have to do with you, the job hunter?  Simply stated: Find your passion, then follow it.  Some people are fortunate like Rudy to have discovered personal passion since childhood, while others have to discover passion through trial and error.  Don’t be discourage if the first career path isn’t a perfect fit.  That’s okay.  You will find over time what inspires you and what drains your energy. Once you develop your passion, surround yourself by people who believe in both you and your dreams.  Everyone needs cheerleaders!

Tags: Coaching, Dedication, Heart, Life Development, Passion

Every once in a while I find myself needing to shake things up: Approach life from a new perspective or commit to a new challenge. Typically when this happens to me, I find myself making drastic changes in my life. From the small: learning how to knit, living in a barn, how to start a fire,shovel snow or cook (I am still learning how to master a few of these!). Or to the Big: changing careers, moving to a new city, traveling and working abroad on a cruise ship for two years. (That last change was a pretty drastic change… to say the least.)

By accepting new challenges (both the big and the small) you are constantly pushing yourself to discover what you are really and truly made of.

I have decided that the time has come to create a standing list, made famous by the recent movie, my personal Bucket List. We all know what a Bucket List is; it is your ultimate “Things to Do List” that trumps e-mails or memos. This is list about defining and redefining your life with goals, challenges and obstacles.

I have given this quite a bit of thought but to get my creative juices flowing, I looked up “100 Things to Do” and a great list popped up that inspired me to commit to finally write down the beginning of my Bucket List.

Here is my first 30, on my Bucket List.

1. Learn to play the piano.

2. Visit all Seven New wonders of the World: Machu Picchu, Peru; Petra, Jordan; The Great Wall of China; The Taj Mahal, India and Chichen Itza, Mexico. (I have 2 of the 5 down.)

3. Drive a race car.

4. Learn how to cha-cha and then maybe salsa.

5. Go on a safari.

6. Learn how to speak Italian.

7. Swim with sharks, and then dolphins.

8. Attend a NCAA Championship Basketball game. (Ideally, the one Gonzaga is playing at.)

9. Go sky diving.

10. Visit all 7 continents. (I have 5 down!)

11. Drink vodka in Russia.

12. Become a collector of glass art.

13. Spend days(s) at: the Louvre, Uffizi Gallery, British Museum in London and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

14. Travel to all 50 states in the U.S.

15. Attend the opening ceremonies for both summer and winter Olympics.

16. Finally read War & Peace.

17. Scuba at the Great Barrier reef.

18. Learn how to fly a plane.

19. Ride on a motorcycle.

20. Enjoy Mardi Gras.

21. Bungee jump.

22. Get a Masters Degree.

23. Find the love of my life and get married.

24. Go to Disney World.

25. Learn how to take care of my car, including changing a tire!

26. Write and publish a book.

27. Watch the 100 greatest movies of all time. (I only have 30 left, I just need to finish it!)

28. Visit the hometowns of my paternal and maternal ancestors. (In Italy & Germany!)

29. Create a home with an inviting, joyous, comfortable, loving atmosphere.

30. Listen and document the stories of my parents as children.

And I am just getting started…

Still stumped?  Here are questions ask yourself when creating your bucket list:

• If you had a year left to live, what would you do?
• If you won the lottery, where would you go?
• If you were lying on your deathbed, what would you most regret not having done?
• If you had an upcoming high school reunion, what would you like to be able to tell your former classmates that you’ve accomplished?
• What do you need to have more of in your life?
• Who do you admire? Why?
• You’re sitting with your grandchildren on your lap telling them about your exploits. What stories are you telling them?
• You’ve died and are listening to your eulogy. What are your friends and loved ones saying about you?
• If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you ask for?

Now here is the fun part. Start writing your bucket list, right now! Don’t wait or put it off. Creating new life challenges will inspire you to continually define who you are and what you want to achieve.

So I have to ask, what are you top 5 Things to Do? Post them here share them with the blogging world!!

Tags: Career Development, Coaching, Life Development