This past week I had the pleasure of doing a video shoot for our curriculum department. I was asked by the lovely and talented Cheryl Brehm to speak to college freshmen about the importance of using a personality profile to pick a major. I also talked to graduating seniors about how important it is to let their personality style guide them as they choose a specific position within the field that they are about to enter.
You see, there is a high—very high in fact—percentage of people who graduate and enter a chosen field, only to find out that they hate it. Instead of choosing the one thing they are most passionate about, most kids choose a major because it pays well. Only later, they find out that it just doesn’t….fit! And in the mortal words of Johnnie Cochran, “If it doesn’t fit….you must uhhhh quit!”
To me, passion is the most important requirement for a career choice. Find something you are passionate about, then dig really deep to find out about all of the possible positions in that field. You see, liking a certain field isn’t good enough. I may really enjoy the medical field, but that doesn’t mean that I like working with patients….and their blood and stuff. Perhaps I’m really detailed and I would enjoy working in the billing department…which is known to be considerably far away from the blood….and stuff.
So if you’re already in a field that you don’t like and you want to get out, start listing all the things you are passionate about. Then list the fields that would put those passions to work. Now, pick your top two or three and do some serious research to find out details about each available position in those fields.
At this point, a personality test will show you which positions match up with the strengths of your personality type. We use the DISC personality test here, and we love it. If you’re a high D, then you probably want something that’s different every day—a constant challenge. A high I will excel in a position that involves people and excitement. For a high S, consistent responsibilities that provide a service for internal or external customers is ideal. A high C thrives on details and processes.
Now, I teach an hour-long lesson on DISC in EntreLeadership, so it’s considerably more in-depth than I’ve described here. But this is a great start if you’re wondering why you’re doing what you’re doing. It’s possibly that you and your position just don’t fit.
One of the best investments we ever made was personality profiles for every employee. Amen to all you said above!
Great post, Chris! I’ve loved this topic since being enlightened years ago by a great speaker who teaches about this. In other words, figure out your purpose and build your life around it. Purpose is set by God. Being the brilliant, non-enabler He is, God just doesn’t plop it down in your lap. You have to discover it. This requires tuning into the Lord, listening for His word, and believing. Then go share your experience with others. This is one of the most powerful ways to witness, I think. In the end, it all ties back to spreading the Kingdom of God.