Gradual Career Development
Submitted by Malcolm on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 14:18.
I have just read a posting elsewhere that I thought was very insightful.
In it, the person said that the best form of career development for someone with AS was not to take a high position initially, but, deliberately, a lower one.
The reasoning behind this was that it gave the opportunity to grow into a role - and an organisation - gradually, which gave the opportunity to slowly adjust, learn and accomodate oneself with a new environment.
I think that there is a lot of validity to this. It would mean that pressure levels and, therefore, anxiety is likely to be lower and so provides the required time to learn a new role.
Has anyone else out this strategy into practice and - if so - were there any additional lessons that can be shared?
Working your way up
I would agree with this stragedy. Start from the lower end and work your way up. I did something like this at my current place of employment. I started as a hourly only working during registration periods, worked a brief time as a hourly doing other assignments and now as a full-time professional staff member. It's good this way because you learn the place and get to know the rules and people.
The thing about this is that it's easier said than done. Many people just cannot start directly at the bottom whenever they get a new position at a different place because they would have to face a paycut and perform tasks below their current level. Many people cannot afford a paycut from their current salaries and after a while from working your way up and then starting all over again at another place (more than once) does not usually look too good on the resume. A lateral move is one thing but going to another place for a lower job is different, maybe except if you're retired.
Starting at the Bottom
I have done so at all my positions. There is no better way to learn about the company and it's practices than begining in a lower position. This will give you time to get to know someone, start out with basic tasks and then slowly warm up to more difficult ones. I think that this method is better for people with AS because a new position means change out of the norm and it can be furstrating and confusing to get used to a new position and company.
Planning my Development
Its early days, but my new job is going quite well - I think!
I've settled in, formed good, working relationships with my colleagues and I am beginning to pick up speed with regard to development of the content I am having to prepare.
I still have yet to do any instruction, but I am already beginning to think about how I can progress and map out some kind of career path from here.
Its important because in both of my previous main jobs I didn't do this when - especially with hindsight - it was very much needed. I also believe that I missed out on opportunities.
I have a few things in mind. Firstly, for securing promotion in my current position, i.e. to a more senior level. I think that this is not only important for renumerative reasons, but also to ensure I retain a sense of purposen and motivation.
Secondly, to develop related skills in my current role so that I can perhaps move into additional areas. Soft skills training related to psychology which I really enjoy and which can build on my work experience, is something that really appeals.
Finally, there is the possibility of developing a "portfolio career" whereby I do some of what I am doing now, and also some marketing in the entertainment industry which is where my background lies and which I also really enjoy.
I think that the latter would suit aspects of my Asperger personality. I would not have to focus forever on one job or job role; the work that I would undertake would be short term which means I wouldn't have to concentrate for long periods and; it may mean that I could work for only two-thids of the year which wouldn't be stressful and would enable me to work at speed whilst not exuming excessive amounts of mental energy.
I am going to work at, and evaluate, these options over the immediate, coming months as I know that career development is important.
Proactivity
An e-mail came around this week about preparing for promotion to more senior positions. It would basically be an upgrade of the role I am doing now.
I am going to proactively seek this out and undergo the training and course required. Past experience has taught me that I have been insufficiently proactive in looking ahead so as to be able to forward myself.
In the past, I have tended to wait until there is a danger sign in relation to the position I am currently in on the horizon which has prompted me into action. This, I am certain, is a consequence of my AS: I am in a routine and comfortable so, sub-consciously, don't want to change it.
If I adopt the above approach it will mean that I can prepare properly for any possible advancement and so whilst not under any personal pressure. The latter is, of course, something that is also beneficial from an AS perspective.
AS Induced Pressure
I think that the danger of going in too high is that you may find yourself out of your depth.
This puts you under pressure and then leads to anxiety. If the consequences of this are serious then this can lead to real problems.
I took on a temporary job after leaving a previous position and it was totally not me. I got into difficulties which led to disciplinary investigative procedures and which, if I had not resigned, I think would have led to my dismissal.
With hindsight what I was most annoyed about is that I didn't think through things myself and learn from experience. All the warning signs about the role were there but I ignored them. It was only a temporary maternity cover position so I thought it didn't matter.
The end result was it did! It knocked my self esteem and put me back a long way.
I am all for not underselling oneself, but not when it runs the risk of doing longer term damage.