How to succeed in your career


Career Portfolio

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



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