Hi Everyone! I'm a little late on the blog this month but for the faithful, here it is as promised! I have been going back and forth this month on topics to blog on and the more I would try to get into other subjects the more I was drawn back to this one.
I've recently started reading a new book by Dr. Henry Cloud titled "Necessary Endings", a Leadership book that addresses the necessary ending of things in our businesses, lives and relationships that all of us have to give up in order to move forward. When I first saw the title I thought to myself, "Wow, another book dealing with topics that sound great in theory but need an act of Congress and all the moons in alignment to put into practice effectively". Pleasantly, this has not been the case after reading the first 3 chapters! After scanning the rest of the book I have envisioned three seperate blogs to address these topics. So.... Here is Part 1!
I would first like to start with addressing the topic of "Necessary Endings" in our lives as it pertains to our education and careers, since it affects all of us where we stand right now. This month the TechSkills of California- Sacramento Campus team has been very busy in preparation for our upcoming Spring Graduation this May. It's an exciting time for staff and students alike. Measurements are being taken, caps and gowns are being ordered, cake designs are being crafted, photographers hired and the site is secured. Everyone is excited and success in the air! Well, for the most part......
The Graduation Ceremonies are always joyous and emotional occasions. The joy of accomplishment and success in watching the hard work our students and staff put in together pay off. But, I have noticed that there is an element of sadness, though very small and practically undetectable, it's there with some students and staff. We have all worked together toward a common goal all year and now the end is here. I've heard our students and staff ask the following questions; Why does it have to end? What's next? We have been conditioned in a lot of life experiences that the end of something is negative, scary and sometimes downright painful. Sometimes it feels safer to freeze or give up than to address the natural next step. Okay, so how does "Necessary Endings" apply? I think you're starting to see it!
In the book, Dr. Cloud makes the following statement; "In your business and perhaps your life, the tomorrow that you desire and envision may never come to pass if you do not end some things you are doing today." When our students enroll with a TechSkills of California (Sacramento, San Jose or Las Vegas) Career Program, they and the staff have a clear picture of where their education is going to lead them and we share that common goal together. That goal does not stop at graduation! Oh, no no.... It goes through graduation and well into each of our students finding employment in the field that they've passionately pursued all year long. The TechSkills of California- Sacramento Campus and our graduates have earned a placement rate average of 80% across the board for our Vocational Programs. The point here is that Graduation is not the end of the journey... not by a long shot! That being said, we (students and staff) have to "end school" and move through graduation and walk into the next phase of the journey, Gainful Employment!
Let's sum it all up! We all must to end things in our lives to move forward. In this example, we have to be prepared to end our education and the comfort zone of being in school this year, follow our graduation plan, take that last final exam, graduate and end the educational experience (A Necessary Ending). Then we must put the remaining effort into working closely with Career Services and Employers to take our education and passion and begin moving forward (A New Beginning) into the career we've been working so hard for. This is truly a "Necessary Ending" that can only lead to great things in our lives. Now it's up to all of us to make the conscious choice to move forward into our future and gain the benefits we've earned from all of our hard work. Let's attack our "New Career" together!
If you would like to discuss goal setting or changing your career/life through education and training, please feel free to contact me. I'd love to talk with you.
Thanks,
Scott King
Director
TechSkills of California
1215 Howe Ave
Sacramento, Ca. 95825
(916) 649-9600
http://www.techskills-ca.com
TechSkills of California is committed to delivering vocational training programs that correspond to the ever-changing needs of businesses in Northern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. We offer career programs in Information Technology, Health Services and Business Skills. We provide the training you need to get the skills for an exciting new career. Your future is calling! For more information on getting started with your new career contact Scott King at 916-649-9600.
* Source: "Necessary Endings" Copyright 2010. Dr. Henry Cloud is a leadership coach to CEOs and business executives, and a clinical psychologist with an extensive background in both clinical and professional consulting worlds.
http://www.drcloud.com/
