Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Career Choices

I knew when I joined the Internal Audit department at work that my time there would be limited. In my company, most people cycle through the department at intervals of roughly 18-24 months. I've been with Audit for 14 months now, and if I want to end up somewhere within the company that is a good fit, I need to start thinking about the options now. Otherwise I may end up with whatever position is available at the time, whether I want it or not.

My problem is that I don't really know where I want to go within the company or what I want to do. I don't have a lot experience with the financial side of things - my background is in procurement. I do know that I don't want to go back to Contracts, but other than that I'm not sure. I guess a part of it is that I'm not 100% clear on what's out there, and the other major part is my low confidence level. It's scary to contemplate moving to a department where I have no background - I like to be good at things, and it's tough to be good when you're first starting out.

Career advice anyone? At this point, I'll consider almost anything available within my company.

2 comments:

Visichy said...

I'm no help at all... I'm mid career shuffle myself and I'm constantly second guessing if I'm doing the right thing.

So all I can say is.... good luck :)

Brenda said...

I would use the same skills you use in obediance training with your dogs, and apply it to the work force. I know that sounds strange, but I apply it in my life at times too. You are confident, you are the Alpha! If you walked into a room full of strange dogs with your own dogs, and noticed one of your pack feeling a little under confident, you would immediately take control as the alpha (whether you want to or not) so that all of your pack would see you as the leader and also have confidence. If you know you must move up, it might be a little scarey with the unknowns at first. Maybe talk with other people in different departments to help find one you will like. But walk into the room with the confidence you know is within you and let them all think you are in control and know what you are doing. You have it within you, you can do it!