| "When I was laid off, I was shaking so badly | | | | and grow the business over time. |
| that I didn't know whether I could drive | | | | |
| home," said Kristin, 32, a mother of three | | | | Volunteer Investment -- finding one or more |
| who lost a public relations job. "My heart | | | | ways to reach out to your community in a way |
| was pounding and I felt disassociated, like | | | | that is meaningful to you. When volunteerism |
| the whole thing was a bad dream." | | | | supports your personal purpose, you can gain |
| | | | new skills and meet valuable new contacts, |
| After working at the same company for five | | | | all while making a difference in your world. |
| years, David, 36, was escorted out of his | | | | |
| building after being informed that the | | | | Lifelong Learning Investment -- including |
| company was heading in a new direction and no | | | | mentorship, focused reading and education. |
| longer needed his type of skills. | | | | |
| | | | Once you identify your desired career assets, |
| Shock, rootlessness and anger are just a few | | | | you can put together a step-by-step plan for |
| normal responses many feel when they lose | | | | building your CareerPortfolio. Your overall |
| their jobs to corporate downsizing. Since the | | | | life goals, available time, the ability to |
| national crisis on Sept. 11, the U.S. Dept. | | | | balance work and family, and stage of your |
| of Labor states that jobless claims are | | | | life all should factor into your |
| approaching 700,000 across the U.S. -- the | | | | decision-making. |
| highest in nearly a decade. | | | | |
| | | | A CareerPortfolio in Phoenix |
| How can you mitigate career risk -- otherwise | | | | |
| known as the pitfalls of marketplace change, | | | | Pam Overton, partner in the national law firm |
| economic turndowns, downsizing, personal | | | | of Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Attorneys at Law, |
| health and life changes, and distasteful | | | | has built a CareerPortfolio comprising three |
| company politics that can wreck havoc with | | | | major career investments: Primary, Volunteer, |
| one's life? | | | | and Lifelong Learning. |
| | | | |
| The answer lies in building a | | | | Pam's personal purpose is to excel at her |
| CareerPortfolio, a career risk management | | | | career, while supporting her family and |
| approach, similar to building a financial | | | | placing them as her No. 1 priority. Her |
| portfolio, that can help you develop four, | | | | purpose includes having a strong charitable |
| specific career assets, or "investments." Why | | | | and spiritual life to add perspective and |
| four? Because these four ingredients offer a | | | | balance. |
| well-balanced opportunity for you to earn, | | | | |
| learn, and help others throughout the rest of | | | | Her Primary Income Investment is her |
| your life. And, like a financial portfolio, | | | | litigation practice, which focuses on complex |
| you can diversify risk so that you always | | | | litigation, business torts, breach of |
| have a number of career options on tap. | | | | contract and condemnation matters. In this |
| | | | role, Pam won the Golden Heart of Business |
| Begin with a Personal Purpose | | | | Award in 2000. She also was recognized by |
| | | | Today's Arizona Woman Magazine as one of the |
| To build a CareerPortfolio, start by | | | | "Top 10 Business Women in the State of |
| developing your personal purpose. Your | | | | Arizona" for two consecutive years. |
| personal purpose is your investment strategy | | | | |
| that guides all of your career decisions. | | | | Pam's Volunteer Investments include serving |
| | | | on the board of directors for Fresh Start |
| Begin by answering the following questions. | | | | Women's Foundation, an organization dedicated |
| | | | to helping women who need assistance in |
| How would I like to be remembered 100 years | | | | career, financial and life skills to better |
| from now? | | | | their futures. This board of powerful |
| | | | community movers and shakers provides Pam an |
| What am I passionate about? | | | | opportunity to learn leadership skills, |
| | | | provide value to the organization, and learn |
| Two projects when I made a difference in | | | | more about community issues. |
| recent years are (list them): | | | | |
| | | | Pam's additional Volunteer Investments |
| Now think about the big picture and write | | | | include supporting cancer and heart research |
| down the purpose of your life by filling in | | | | and development. She has dedicated many |
| the blank: The purpose of my life is | | | | fundraising hours at All Saints' Episcopal |
| to____________________________. | | | | Day School where her children attend school, |
| | | | integrating volunteer service with family |
| You can revise your personal purpose | | | | life. |
| statement as needed. It will help you decide | | | | |
| what types of opportunities are worth | | | | For Lifelong Learning Investments, Pam is a |
| pursuing. You will become purposeful rather | | | | member of several lawyer's professional |
| than just "busy." | | | | associations and has served on the Arizona |
| | | | State Bar's Ethics Committee, sharing and |
| Develop Your CareerPortfolio | | | | gaining insight which ultimately benefits her |
| | | | clients. |
| Now, it's time to assess the kinds of career | | | | |
| assets you either may want to develop. If you | | | | "All of these career investments add valuable |
| have two or more of the following career | | | | perspective to my career and bring |
| assets working in your life, you will be | | | | opportunities to learn and build lasting |
| building optimal career wealth over time. | | | | friendships," Pam said. |
| | | | |
| Primary Income Investment -- your job, or | | | | Pam reviews her career investments |
| business that you own, where the majority of | | | | periodically to ensure balance, as she and |
| your financial income is earned. | | | | her husband raise their three children. |
| | | | |
| Secondary Income Investment -- an optional, | | | | If you have two or more CareerPortfolio |
| alternate source of income that allows you to | | | | assets in place, you will be far more |
| gain additional knowledge, career options, | | | | flexible and confident to face future career |
| income, and sense of purpose. Not everyone is | | | | changes. Regardless of your age or place in |
| destined to own a business. However, those | | | | life, it's never too late to build a |
| who choose to develop a business or | | | | purposeful and rewarding CareerPortfolio. |
| occasional side project can start out small, | | | | |