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ROYO Gen Y Passionistas: Making Your Passion Work For You:
Jen Korducki (JK)
Jill Fleska (JF)
Who had a definite answer to what do you what to be when you grow up? Kindergarden, fifth grade? Who of those who raised their hand how many are currently working within that field?
How many of you currently hold a position within for a degree you went to college for?
How many have made a career out of their passion?
JF: As of 5 month ago, I quit job to start own business in a field I am passionate about. This panel is about finding your own passion and turning it into a career, tips and suggestions to get you started.
JF & JK both blog at pursuingourpassion.com and have enrolled themselves into the “grad school of life”
JF & JK: What stops you from pursuing passion?
- Money
- Life
- Lack of clarity
- Benefits
- Security
How can we find a solution to these problems?
First focus on what you love, identify what that entails. Next take it one step further and identify the problems standing in your way. And lastly, explore avenues and channels to solve the problem. There are resources out there to help you answer and overcome each and every reservation listed.
There is one member in the audience who is currently working the job she envisioned herself doing when she was 5. Currently in marketing at PepsiCo but has an engineering background. She quit working to get a grad degree related to her true passion and used her free time to blog and explore the field on the side.
Another audience member envisioned her dream job to be on Broadway. Pursued a degree related to theatre and dance but it didn’t work out. Ended up enrolling in a enrolled in career change workshop and is now a certified life coach or as she calls herself a “when I grow up coach”. She now helps creative people turn their dream career into reality and even identify what their dream career would be.
How do you balance a job you love while growing a blog you equally adore simultaneously?
JK: Find that happy medium.
HOW DO YOU FIND THAT MEDIUM?
Online Marketing: Finding people via social media gives you greater access to them than traditional methods of calling/phone calls. Via twitter you can find out if they are holding any evening, providing the opportunity to meet and connect with them and possibly set up an informational interview.
Twitter – allows you to connect with ANYONE! Major execs, politicians….allows you to say what you want and establishing a relationship with them via twitter.
Twitter accounts:
Jennkorducki (JK)
Chiassionistas (both)
Social media allows you to re-identify what you want to do. Gives you greater insight as to a culture of an organization!!!
Facebook: Evolved from a college only crowd to professional medium
Mentor: Most people are afraid to approach, but don’t be afraid to find them and ask!! Mentors are like sponges – mentors are passionate about what they do and full of great information that they want to share.
Social media allows you to traveling to different cities, meet different and connect with people via these channels who you never would have met.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND BEFORE QUITTING YOUR JOB
1) Dollars and cents: It’s a great misconception that you need to have 4-5K in the bank before you can quit your job. Jess had $97 when she decided to quit her job.
Figure out, do you have a family to support? If so, how will you do it? JK & JF did not have families to support. But they made sure they had something to fall back on, such as waitressing from back in college. Figure out what your dollar and cents are and is there something that will tie you over? Once you have that backing it’s a lot easier to let go of your job and take the leap.
2) 3 Musketeers: bounce ideas off of 3 people who are important to you and you know will give you genuine feedback. People who will let you know if what you are saying is feasible. Also recognize you may not see immediate success, but if you believe in it so much so and don’t give up, you know it will be a success.
Audience Question: Did you have a business plan when you quit your jobs? A formal plan, investors, etc? Neither JF or JK had a formal plan, neither have
