Most of us have tripped into our careers. Even those who went into professions like law and accountancy tell of taking up the training as nothing else had happened for them.

Why is it that most of us have not experienced career advice? In schools it is usual that the careers teacher is doing that job as one part of a wider portfolio. And that role is often administrative as the expectation is that there is a library of information that students can access. In universities it is not much better. One of the UK’s top universities requires students to pre-book a session where the student then has 15 minutes help with their cv. It is probably useful advice. How useful is it in the context of career advising as we might want it?

In business schools the students invest significantly for their programmes. The full-time MBA is paid for by the student who has also the opportunity cost of not working. The benefit and risk issues is significant to them. The part-time MBAs at business schools are over 2 years and are usually sponsored by the employer of the student. There is less risk to the student; they continue to be paid and their job continues after their MBA has been completed.

In these business schools, careers advice and support is critical to the full-time student. The student needs to understand fully the level of support that they will get throughout their course as the course budget gets squeezed by the costs of all the other components of the programmes. On the part-time MBA, the employers are skeptical (scared?) of any career advice lest the students walk away after the MBA is completed.

The stages above are just 3 examples of where career advice is useful. Some people are fortunate that they have access to good advice. They may have a parent or parents who take an interest and who are able to encourage their offspring down an appropriate channel. Sometimes there is a teacher or a mentor who has specific experience that is helpful. For most, though, the career issue is not prevalent until it lurches into view at key moments – when one leaves school or university or when when has finished that Masters.

These examples are obvious as they are at “rite of passage” points in our lives or where we may have taken a key decision to invest in our career. What would happen if careers were more central to our learning experiences at these key stages?

The best careers advice is achieved by understanding the capabilities of an individual. In a school context this is often well understood by the teaching community as they are working with the students regularly in an academic, pastoral and ex curricula way. They are also measuring regularly to feedback to students and parents and also to relevant external bodies. The wherewithal to undertake good career advice is there. Most schools are not resourced to provide it.

The main issue seems to be that, as a society, we do not value careers as an important subject. Whether it is in schools or with people in work who are careering (rather than controlling) in their careers, the lack of value pertains. Some people do take proactive action and they broadly fall into 2 camps – they are in pain and distress because they have lost their jobs or they are bored and frustrated and know that they have to move out of what they are doing.

Taking care of your career is a lifelong responsibility. The earlier that we can value that notion and learn how to take care of it, the better it will be for the whole of one’s working life.

Simon North is the founder of Position Ignition – a modern day, very personal careers advisory service for professionals. Simon is a career and transition expert with over 25 years experience in helping individuals with their careers. He uses his unique approach to help individuals with their personal and professional development.

http://www.positionignition.com

Blog: http://www.positionignition.com/blog

Author: Simon North

Name: Lee Jean Downs

Location: Tempe, AZ

Phone#: (602) 315-4599

Describe briefly what kind of job you are looking for?: I am an experienced personal trainer and ergonomic consultant. I specialize in injury prevention education and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. In my capacity as an ergonomic consultant, I have helped people improve their work spaces so that they experience a reduction in pain and an increase in energy. My attention to detail leads me to ask my clients about their time in other environments, such as how they commute and any home office space, to seek ways to help them improve all environments with which they have contact. I perform a similar service for my personal training clients, but, usually without traveling to their place of work. I am always seeking to increase my knowledge in the fields of ergonomics, rehabilitation techniques and personal training. I seek a full-time, non-sales position located within 7 mi. of the intersection of Rural Rd. & Southern Ave. with an hourly pay of at least $12.00/hr. Principals only; please contact me via Ergsclmr at yahoo dot com. I give my e-mail address, because, my phone minutes are limited. Thank you for your time. I look forward to meeting you and using my extensive knowledge in kinesiology and many office skills as your new Rehabilitation Technician in the near future.

RESUME:

Background
2009: Completed Ergonomic consulting Internship. Petersen Injury Management Systems.
2002 – 2009: Running businesses owned and operated by Lee Downs:
ErgoTraining– Free-lance personal training.
ErgoSolutions– Ergonomic consulting
Tutoring by Lee – Real estate sales license and math tutoring.
2007: JAX Remodeling. Scheduler — Schedule door measures and installations;
Help customers set appointments for measure or installation of doors
using knowledge of valley streets and installers qualifications.
Strong interpersonal skills required in working with customers over the phone.
This position was eliminated through corporate downsizing.
2005: FNF Construction–Paving Crew
Completed AZ Real Estate Sales license requirements.
RE/MAX Central — Transaction Coordinator.
2004: Kesler Manufacturing – Office, ordering and delivery runs.
This position was eliminated through corporate downsizing.
2003: The Doctor’s Fitness Center at the Biltmore. Personal Trainer (ErgoTraining)
Central Park Square Athletic Center: Fitness Instructor.
2002: The Doctor’s Fitness Center at the Biltmore. Personal Trainer Intern.
2001: Completed psychology concentration ASU.
Worked part-time.
2000: Completed kinesiology concentration. ASU.

Knowledge, Special Skills and Experience
Computer Knowledge
Expert in using Mac OS
Proficient in Windows and DOS
Microsoft Word/Word Perfect
Knowledge of web langauage
Resume designed, edited and published
by Lee Jean Downs
Internet
PowerPoint
Photoshop
Excel
QuickBooks

Special Skills
Customer Service
Type 55 wpm
Fax operation
Imaging
Scanning

Experience
Personal Training
Ergonomic consulting
Supervising
Real estate/math tutoring
Scheduling
General office
Customer Service

Education
B.I.S. — Concentrations in Psychology and Kinesiology.
Arizona State University. Tempe, AZ. 2009

Certifications
Certified Personal Trainer
AZ Real estate sales license — inactive.

The following table is a list of Courses Ms. Downs took in completion of
her studies in Kinesiology at Arizona State University.
Course Taken Required Course/not Required
Anatomical Kinesiology* Not Required
Anatomy and Physiology** Required.
Biomechanics ** Required
Biomechanics of the
Musculoskeletal System *
Not Required.
Brief Calculus* College Algebra
General Chemistry * Introductory Chemistry
General Chemistry with
Qualitative Analysis *
Not Required
General Physics* full year) Required, first semester only
Introduction to Exercise Science Required
Introduction to Psychology Required
Motor Developmental Learning * Required
Movement Analysis Laboratory: Required; 6,1 hour
Physiology of Exercise* Required
Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries * Not Required
Psychological Skills for Optimal Performance Not Required
Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Activity* Required
.
* Indicates a course that has both a lecture and an experimental lab component. .

Course Descriptions
The following are descriptions of courses in or in subjects
related to ergonomics for which Ms. Downs holds credit at Arizona State University.

Kinesiology
Anatomical Kinesiology
This course covered the origins, insertions, innervations and actions (primary and secondary, assistant actions.) of the major muscles of the human body. The course applied this anatomical information to exercise and activities in daily life such as sitting, walking and climbing stairs.
For this class Ms. Downs wrote a paper that discussed the topic of motor pathways and muscle reaction parameters. She also built a model demonstrating the relationship between the Rectus Femoris and Hamstring Muscles during standing, known as Lumbard’s Paradox.

Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries
This course covered the basic kinesiology of the major muscle groups, recognition and treatment (including emergency care) of many common athletic injuries. Treatments taught included thermal and cryotherapy, (cold water baths), the use of rest in healing and supportive taping
techniques.

Biomechanics
In this course the student basic mechanical and anatomical principles to human movement. Laboratory experiments were an integral part of this class. The year of anatomy and Physiology is a prerequisite for this course. The prevention of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome was the topic of Ms. Downs’ research for this class.

Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System
This course emphasized the physics of tissues in the body. Discussion included the effects of torque, tension, compression and sheer forces on various parts of the body. As part of this course Ms. Downs wrote a paper answering the question “What is the Best Posture for Sitting?”

Movement Analysis Laboratory: Weight Training
The emphasis of this class centered on proper lifting techniques and designing weight training programs for specific goals. It was during this course that Ms. Downs concluded that muscular exertion should be conducted as slowly as possible to reduce the risk of injury to the joints and maximize the demand made on the working muscle to produce the greatest strength gain.

Movement Analysis Laboratory: Physical Conditioning
This course focused on the design and implementation of individual exercise programs with an emphasis on safety and effectiveness of exercise programs. One course requirement was a ten minute presentation that related to exercise. Ms. Downs focused on injury prevention, and spoke about ergonomic design and the use of biomechanical principles in the design and use of exercise equipment and techniques.

Movement Analysis Laboratory: Weight Management
This course focused on diet and exercise as tools for weight management. The course discussed psychological and physiological aspects of weight management. To fulfill one of the course requirements, Sm. Downs gave a ten minute presentation discussing the use of rest, exercise, stress reduction, diet, supplements and fluid intake to improve one’s energy level.

Movement Analysis Laboratory: Special Populations
Designing of exercise programs for atypical populations, including, people with cardiopulmonary diseases, diabetes, sight and hearing impairments was the focus of this class. Ms. Downs designed and conducted a fifty minute activity designed for Type 1 and Type II diabetics as part of the course requirements.

Movement Analysis Laboratory: Aerobics
This course covered aerobic exercise movements and the design of low, moderate and high impact routines. As part of the requirements of this course, Ms. Downs designed and conducted a fifteen minute, low-impact aerobic routine. She emphasized the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries often associated with aerobic calisthenics routines. She kept the music volume below 85 decibels (A scale) and briefly spoke about the importance of ear protection during aerobic exercise.

Movement Analysis Laboratory: Swimming
This class emphasized proper swim stroke technique, and the analysis of a swimmer’s technique. As part of the requirements for this course, Ms. Downs gave a fifteen minute presentation on the causes, effects and prevention of overtraining. This topic applies to all areas of physical activity, but, is a particularly large problem for swimmers.

Water Aerobics—Physical Education Activity Class
This course is not required for the minor in Kinesiology. However, Ms. Downs took this course because it emphasized the use of water as a medium for exercise without using common swimming strokes such as free-style. Instead, the course emphasized walking in water, games in water, water ballet and other exercises that use the water as a resistant force for aerobic cardiovascular and muscular training.

Physiology of Exercise
This course covered topics relating to how physical activity affects one’s physiology and how a person’s particular physiological condition affects his/her response to exercise.

Psychological Aspects of Physical Activity
This course discussed psychological and sociological aspects of motivation pertaining to the design and continuation of exercise programs for all age groups. During this course Ms. Downs proposed that trainers should encourage clients to exercise for health benefits, such as increased energy and lowered disease risk, rather than to please other people. She proposed this approach because it is her observation that family members, friends and close associates may not necessarily be supportive of the client’s physical fitness goals.

Psychological Skills for Optimal Performance
This class focused on the application of psychological techniques, such as visualization, to improve an individual’s performance in sport and other physical activities. Musicians, for example, have used visualization to improve performance for many years.

Motor Developmental Learning
Topics covered included techniques for learning motor skills and how motor skill learning changes throughout the life-span.

Department of Psychology
Effective Thinking
The emphasis of this class was on the study and application of logic, analysis of information, problem solving and decision making skills. Ms. Downs gave a fifteen minute presentation entitled “The Use of Biomechanics and Anthropometry in Design” to fulfill her presentation and research requirements for this class.

Introduction to Statistics
This course provided an introduction to statistical methods and experimental design. It emphasized mathematical logic and computation of problems in experimental psychology. Ms. Downs completed this course with the highest grade in the class.

Research Methods
This course covered the application or research techniques covered in Introduction to Statistics. A research project of a subject of the student’s choice is a major part of this class. Ms. Downs conducted background and experimental research on the effect of acute, short duration exercise on spatial reasoning test scores. She and her partner received a third place award for their project.

Environmental Psychology
This course looked at the effect of environment (sound, light, physical demands on the body) on the brain and mind.

Department of Philosophy
Principles of Sound Reasoning
This course focused on the study of logical falacies, Ven Diagrams and truth tables. The language of mathematics is used to express logical statements. Ms. Downs achieved the highest grade in the class.

School of Design
Human Factors in Design
This course emphasized the relationships between people and the use of tools in the built environment. The course considered anthropometric, biomechanical, psychological and physiological factors in considering ergonomic design of objects, systems and spaces. Ms. Downs wrote a paper describing the ideal design for a drawing pencil as a part of this class.

Job Title: Administrative

Name: Danielle Roppel

Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Phone#: (403) 477-2567

Email: Aroppel@hotmail.com

Describe briefly what kind of job you are looking for?: A challenging position as a Full time Receptionist/Administrative assistant.

RESUME:

Danielle Roppel
91 McKinley Road S.E Calgary, Alberta T2Z 1V4
Home: (403) 280-2567 Mobile: (403) 477-2567
aroppel@hotmail.com

Objective: A challenging position as an administrative assistant at a reputed firm, which will allow me to further utilize my existing skills and enable myself to acquire new abilities with the opportunity for professional career growth.

Professional Highlights
Dedicated, administrative assistant offering significant experience in self-directed positions
requiring effective support, secretarial, administrative abilities. Proven interpersonal, communications and multi-tasking skills. Adaptable team player recognized for willingness to learn and teach newly acquired skills.

- Professionalism
- Computer Literacy
- Administration
- Office etiquette
Excel in meeting objectives through use of independent action, prioritization, persistence, and leadership skills.

Professional Experience

Canadian Communication Products Inc. (February 2009 – Present)
Administrative Assistant – Part time

Performed day to day administrative duties and served as a liaison between departments.

• Provide administrative/secretarial support for various departments such as: answering telephones and responding to email and fax inquires, greeting and assisting visitors, receive and distributing mail, typing memos/reports as well as resolving a range of administrative problems and inquires.
• Schedule and coordinate meetings, interviews, appointments, events and other similar activities for supervisors which also include travel, and lodging arrangements.
• Operation of various office equipment such as: computer, facsimile machine, printer and video conferencing system.

Ceili’s Irish Pub (August 2008 – Present)
Server

I provide patrons Serve food and/or beverages to patrons, in a polite and friendly nature.

• Greeted and welcomed all guests in a pleasant and professional matter.
• Provided timely cocktail service in a friendly and courteous manner.
• Take food and beverage orders; deliver and properly serve customers.
• Kept assigned areas clean and empty of glasses and bottles.
• Met the attendance guidelines of the job and adhered to regulatory, departmental and company policies.

Danielle Roppel
91 McKinley Road S.E Calgary, Alberta T2Z 1V4
Home: (403) 280-2567 Mobile: (403) 477-2567
aroppel@hotmail.com

Just Office (December 2007 – April 2008)
Office Temp

I gained experience in a variety of general office clerical duties in providing secretarial support services for administrative functions.

• Uncommon ability to successfully pass various performance tests appropriate to the position.
• Competence to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Immense ability to communicate with others, assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Excellent ability to work under minimal supervision and prioritize work.

Chief Medical Office (February 2005 – June 2005)
Central Office Secretary

Responsible for general administrative duties while maintaining composure and working efficiently in a fast paced and pressured environment.

• Greeted visitors, answered calls in a professional matter and scheduled appointments.
• Demonstrated ability to set up and enter data using computer applications.
• Updated filing, inventory, mailing, and data base systems, either manually or using the computer.
• Management of internal and external mail.
• Reviewed files, records, and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.

Education

• General High School Diploma (June 2005)
• Plan on furthering my career in Business

Computer Skills

• Windows 2000/XP, Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office; Excel & Outlook
• Squirrel Systems (Lounge POS)
• 35 wpm

Languages

• Fluent English
• Enrolled in Spanish (Jan 2010)

References

Jitu Patel Koko Sports Bar (403)816-5882

Chris Pinto Valley Ridge Golf Course (403)221-9682

George Guerra Canadian Communication Products (403)875-0121

Name: Michelle Hogan

Location: St. John’s, NL

Phone#: 709-368-0329

Email: pq4u72@yahoo.ca

Describe briefly what kind of job you are looking for?: To obtain full time employment in the Avalon region.

RESUME:

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS

- Easily assume responsibility, work with minimum supervision
- Prompt and dependable; good organizational skills
- Enthusiastic, eager to learn new things and take on new challenges
- Very well organized and able to meet deadlines

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

August 10 2009 – Present Paper Cutter Operator / Packager, British confectionery/ Atlantic Gaming
Mount Pearl, NL
- Operated machinery to produce “break open” lottery tickets
- Assisted assemblers and other workers in sorting, packing, crating and
Packaging “break open” products when required
- Training new employees in the packaging process

2007 – July 2009 Shipping & Receiving / Production Line Worker Gibson Guitar Canada Ltd Mt. Pearl NL
- Package final products in selected boxes and place into final inventory. Receive goods from delivery and stock shelves. Arrange final packages for delivery and arrange pickups.

2002 – 2007 Paper Cutter Operator / Packager, British confectionery/ Atlantic Gaming
Mount Pearl, NL
- Operated machinery to produce “break open” lottery tickets
- Assisted assemblers and other workers in sorting, packing, crating and
Packaging “break open” products when required
- Training new employees in the packaging process

2001 – 2002 Collator, The Telegram, St. John’s NL
- Responsible to gather paper materials for flyers to meet paper deadlines
- Insert flyers at deadline time
- Trained newly hired collators

1989 – 2001 Childcare Provider, Private Residence, CBS, NL
- Provided child care services to children in private home

EDUCATION & TRAINING

1994 The Newfoundland Career Academy, St. John’s NL
- Travel & Tourism Certificate

Holy Spirit High School
- Received high school diploma

INTERESTS

- Kai-Shin Karate-Do, orange belt level

- Typing, 30 WPM +

Sketching, drawing, flash art, painting

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST