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I’ve been a member of the Brazen Careerist site for a few months now. It is a blog community for “Gen Y thought leaders” and professional development and what not. When I joined the community, I expected like-minded individuals who were striving to make something of themselves, yet still discovering themselves and what they wanted to do. What I found was a community of twenty-somethings blogging like they were professional development experts and life coaches.
Why do I seem to be the only one who doesn’t have it all figured out? I’m 25 years old and I have no idea what I want to do with my life. For me, it’s a journey. I have goals and plans and ideas like everyone else, but I’m still figuring things out. So how do all of these other people my age blog about careers when they are fresh out of college or even still in college? I, for one, find this discouraging. I want to hear more young people being honest with themselves and speaking about their path and their experiences rather than hearing a 22 year old who has life figured out already.
Or maybe this is just a strong dose of “fake it ’til you make it”. Is that what this whole rat race is all about? Even though I’m clearly not an expert in social media, career planning, or branding, I could probably spit out some posts where I act like I know what I’m talking about.
With that being said, I have found many smart and qualified people on the site. My only beef is that I have read too many articles filled with bad advice from people claiming to have all the answers. And the only reason I know it’s bad advice is because of my tiny amount of life experience compared with an author who may have even less. The majority of the users of this site are rather young and inexperienced; I am pleading that we all stop BSing each other and share our honest stories and experience!
I’m moving to China soon to teach English. I’m prepared to discuss life abroad and my experiences there. One thing you will not get from me is advice on your career path. Let’s stick to what we know.
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Comments
04.07.09
Great post!
I agree with you, I like the more personal posts as opposed to the preachy ones. Or, if you're going to be preachy atleast let me know why you feel like that based off your own experiences. It makes the message more credible to me.
I will say this though: Typically the message from the bloggers isn't one size fits all (even though sometimes it's written like that). It's written for their specific blog's audience (where they may be considered an 'expert' compared to their site visitors) and then syndicated here to a much larger audience.
As the reader on syndicated site, you have to decide if it's for you or if it isn't.
Kiersten
04.07.09
For what it's worth, I didn't have much figured out at 25, and the things I thought I had figured out at 22 ended up being wrong.
Just enjoy the ride.
04.07.09
This is a great post that I truely feel hits a little too close to home. I'm 24, back in school for my MBA part time, but I really don't know what I want to do once I'm out. Sure, something in business and/or finance is the general plan, but beyond that I'm lucky if I know what I'm doing this weekend let alone the rest of my life.
Life and what I thought I wanted at 22 is a lot different than the place I am now, but I'm happy where I am. My boyfriend just decided to drastically change careers at 26 and go into law enforcement (from graphic design, then garage door repairman) and he's scared he might not like it.
Some people can launch themselves into the unknown career path and come out in a year with something they love, others take longer to figure things out, or never really find their niche at all. I'm just trying to enjoy figuring it all out.
04.07.09
I'm with you - I certainly don't have everything figured out. I think a lot of people give advice based on what has worked for them. I feel I am usually asking more questions than I do give answers in my posts. :) Best of luck in China and look forward to hearing about your adventures.
04.07.09
Great post. A lot of the people who think they have it all figured out now will be singing a different tune in 10 years. When you're in school, you learn about about your interests but school doesn't prepare you for what the day-to-day job is going to be like.
When I first graduated I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I got a degree in chemistry and was going to be a chemist. Once after a few years in the lab, I realized I loved studying chemistry but I didn't really enjoy being a chemist. I'm happier doing something more people-oriented.
04.07.09
1- I agree. There are some bloggers who are great at writing about careers and have insightful advice and discussions, but a whole lot more who aren't and just tend to fake it.
2- I'm moving to Cambodia to work with an NGO soon. I'm looking forward to hearing your stories of life abroad and hope you'll read mine!
04.07.09
I don't think anyone has it figured out. I have this amazing job, a great condo and car, an awesome boyfriend, family and friends... and I'm like, when I'm going to feel grown-up? I think we're all constantly evaluating ourselves and the preachy posts might just be a way of testing some of our thoughts in new waters. Best of luck with your journey - I look forward to hearing more.
04.07.09
You won't have it all figured out by 35 either.
04.07.09
If you have figured out the difference between BS & real advice backed by actual experience, you have figured out a lot. If nothing else, you wouldn't fall for the million dollar deposit offer from Nigeria.
I don't know about so many things, but I have figured out hiring for one. It amazes me how many people BS in their resumes. It always makes me laugh and worried at the same time when I see a resume of 22 year old with 1 year professional work experience using buzzwords like specialist, managed a team etc.
04.07.09
Honestly, I wouldn't take advice from someone in their 40's. What do they know about being inexperienced in this century? But someone who broke into the job market 4 years ago? Yes-I would! They know more about what I have to go through than the 40-something. The only thing I have yet to match up is their blog vs. my life, despite trying to in every way possible. I have yet to find someone in my field that blogs about the field. So although it's fun reading, I usually don't use much of it.
04.07.09
Quite frankly, life is a journey like you said. And just when you think you've got it figured out, some new challenge comes along. We never have it figured out ever.
As for advice - I think that Brazen is great for us Gen Yers to commiserate and support each other. And of course you have to sort out "advice" as it comes your way. Take what works for you and leave the rest. Eventually we all get on our way.
Also, as Ryan pointed out - don't send your bank account number to Nigeria.
04.07.09
What I see here is opinions followed by discussion. Most of these posts are pulled from peoples blogs, so in order to see if they are posting or posing as an expert you'd have to go to their blog to see what they are presenting themselves as.
I don't think anyone has it all figured out, but it does behoove those who read blogs which give advice to take note of what the person giving the advice has actually done.
You've probably noticed there are tons of blogs online, some even considered authoritative, where the authors have never actually done anything but write, and I don't mean investigative type reporters, a lot of academicians also have very little applicable real world on the ground experience, though some do. Some people posting here may have no experience but an idea from their post may just float up and strike you, even in the midst of a post which otherwise is pretty unremarkable.
You just have to shift through it all and decide where your interest lies and how useful it is to you.
04.07.09
Appreciate the feedback. Glad to know there are legitimate people out there! I was expecting at least one person to tell me I was an idiot for not being an expert in some field by now.
04.07.09
@Ben Expert is a relative term misused, misrepresented, misunderstood by different people in many ways. My expert opinion is - don't sweat on it. You seem to be following your passions. I am sure you are going to enjoy your experience in China. You are going to meet some wonderful people, learn the importance of family and meaning of respect in Asian culture.
04.07.09
To also answer your headline: no, I don't either. Like what's been mentioned, no one ever really knows. It's a lot of trial and error; what we think we want isn't what we need. People who don't ask that question probably have something that's keeping their attention until something happens.
Enjoy China!
04.07.09
Any advice, no matter who it comes from, always has to be taken with a grain of salt. As we know, we are all different and what works for one may not work for another.
As for not knowing what you want with your life, heck none of us really do, even if we think we do. You work towards something, you may get it right the first time or may hate it. You may like it for 25 years and then change. Life is a journey, a process, a trying something and changing your mind, an exploration of the world and of who you are. Enjoy the search. The world is wide open to you!
04.08.09
Hey Ben,
Best of luck teaching abroad. Tom O'Keefe wrote a post about a year of service as a way to gain experience over at http://www.careerealism.com that's pretty interesting. It's the first in a series of posts called "A College Degree...Now What?"
Your post resonated with me completely. College teaches you everything EXCEPT how to get the job and answer the tough career questions. What bothers me is how the rules of career have changed, but our approach to it has not. I think that is where so much of the confusion lies.
Thanks for the refreshing honesty!
JT
04.13.09
THANK YOU! Your blog post was at the bottom of the my email and as I was reading through the email I was thinking there's no creativity here. It seems like a community of Self-Help junkies. Why and How does everyone here seem to have it all figured out. And then I saw your post. Thank you. You're right. I'd like to see an exchange of ideas as opposed to the same crap I can hear from my grandmother and mother in-law. :-)
04.15.09
Congrats on moving to China. Wish I knew how to move again.
Yeah, I do wonder how such young ppl can do so much, but hey,...
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