Life of the Bored and Taskless.

Monday, January 12, 2009

I was perusing Monster.com today (because I need a little daily depression to stunt any budding optimism I may develop), and came across this unhelpful article:

Discover the Work You Were Born to Do
By James Gonyea, Monster Contributing Writer

So you've been hearing that voice again, the one that says you're not doing what you were born to do. That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing?

To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Professional career counselors usually undertake this strategy when attempting to help clients identify appropriate career directions.

Here's what I ask clients to help them find their core. Ask yourself these questions, and record your answers:

So, before I read any further, I decided that I would fill out the questions. I can't become any more perplexed about my vocational fate, right? Plus, I have yet to work at an unfulfilling job, but seeing as May is just around the corner, I probably should accept the fact that I will be in four months. Feel free to fill out the same vague questions and post them in the comment box. Here's to all the soon-to-be entry-level applicants out there!

1. What subjects do you most enjoy reading about?
Music, comedy, people (mostly modern), pop culture, foreign countries, sign language, human behavior.

2. What television or radio programs do you most enjoy?
Stand-up comedy, off-beat comedy series (a la Tim and Eric, Strangers With Candy, UCB), Discovery Health Channel programs, Travel Channel shows, "Behind the Music" type shows, trivia, and 90's kids shows centered around quirky male protagonists.

3. What are your favorite types of movies?
"Dramedies" (I know, what a horrible portmanteau)- movies that are driven by character development and incorporate somewhat dark humor (and have good direction and cinematography).

4. What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Music, reading, (watching shitty YouTube videos), going on random adventures with friends, cooking meals with friends.

5. What type of volunteer activities do you prefer?
Not sure. To be honest, I don't volunteer as much as I should.

6. What subjects do you enjoy discussing with friends?
Current issues in our lives/theories about those issues, weird hypothetical situations, music, funny frivolous things from the past and present.

7. What subjects come to mind when you daydream?
I think about past conversations and/or what I could have said in those exchanges that would have been a more meaningful/humorous or less awkward alternative.

8. What have been your favorite jobs?
Probably the one I'm in now (thrift/vintage clothes store), and my internship at an adult psychiatric rehabilitation center. Anything that allows me to be creative and work with people yet has a bit of structure that I can base expectations off of.

9. What were your favorite school subjects?
Psychology, biology, music, photography.

10. What are your pet peeves?
Pretension/arrogance, disrespect, patronization, close-mindedness, impatience, when people ask me about what I want to do with my life...

11. If you doodle, what do you often draw?
Really terrible cartoonish looking people with thyroidism or geometric designs.

12. If you ran the world, what changes would you make?
It would be infinitely more organic and socialistic and less competitive. I think I'd like to create meaningful international rituals that provide a sense of cohesion and give people something to look forward to.
Also, no text messaging. I'm not jk.

13. If you won a million bucks, what would you do with it?
I'd put it in the bank, so I could save up for future travels and a nice house. Also, I'd put money in college funds for my brother and myself, and I'd throw some dough my aunt's and friends' ways, and donate the rest to charity.

14. Who are your favorite kinds of people?
The people I like most are funny, genuine, show a general interest in people, are laid-back, and are open to experiences. I don't like people who are too easily offended, eagerly push their agendas in order to start a conflict, or seek constant attention. I feel uncomfortable around people who I feel threatened by or invisible when in their presence.

15. How would you like to be remembered after your death?
As a good-natured weirdo who loved her friends, found joy in the little things, and tried to help people (whether or not I succeed is TBD).

16. What are your favorite toys?
At the moment, the Nintendo Wii. I love cheesy board games and have been dying to own moon shoes since I was five.

17. How would you describe your political beliefs?
I think that the government's first interest should be to take care of its citizens yet be involved in crises abroad (regardless of their relationship to oil). I am deeply concerned about human rights, the lack-luster education system in this country, and poverty here and elsewhere. I'd say I'm a bit liberal, but I need to do a whole lot more research before I'd consider my opinions informed (I tend to operate emotionally foremost, and rationality secondarily)

18. Who do you most admire in life and why?
People who create something truly unique, and can call it their own. That's the type of property I'd most like to have.

19. What tasks have brought you the most success?
School, both academically and socially.

20. What tasks do you think you could do well that you haven't yet done?
I guess that's what I'm trying to find out. I'd like to do a bit of stand-up comedy, but I'd have to really practice a lot. Fortunately, it's something I'd be willing to practice (unlike piano). I think I have a good design aesthetic, but I don't think I'd do anything professionally (advertising?). I also have a good ear, but singing isn't really in the cards (d'oh!). My "Plan A" is psychology, and I think it's something that I have the most faith in as far as a steady career is concerned.

Well, thar she blows. What job do YOU think I should have?

Life of the Bored and Taskless.

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