April 1978 Comment Common ‘Apri career questions answered Thinking about changing jobs in midlife? You are one of a growing number who are deciding to opt for that ‘impossible dream”’ and strike out on a daring new career. Just out of college or graduate school and seeking your first new position? Leon Blake, assistant professor of psychology and counselor, offers a few suggestions to questions most often asked regarding identifying specific skills (talents we have acquired or learned such as typing). 3) Seriously consider your values as it relates to life in general ant work in specific. For example you may ; ask yourself what you want out of a job? Do you want a) security b) high salary c) adventure and excitement d) recognition and achievement. career-decision making. Q. If you have some doubts about what you want to do, ask your parents or friends for advice and suggestions. A. False. There are two approaches people utilize in making career selections. 1) External approach. 2) Internal approach. An external approach is where an individual will rely heavily upon outside bap teags § Naas Abt PT btn : EEE erties, | sources and individuals to make a decision for him or her. This is what I FASE PPA pene! abiliti MAR ood had a consider a passive, dependent method. An example of this approach is the student who comes into my office and 2 Q. Stren; occur of ho - <A, asks, ‘“‘Which occupation pays the most, is the easiest to get into, or is in the greatest demand.”’ Their main interest is centered in what would be “easiest”? rather than what DR. JOCELYN GLIDDEN uses eastern technique. Meditation = rest Fruit, flowers, incense and a Guru, who makes up a two-syllable word without a meaning called a “mantra,”’ sets the scene for learning eastern or transcedental meditation. It comes from India and has been known for centuries, recently becoming popular in the west. “I was skeptical about meditation at first,’’ admitted Dr. Jocelyn C. Glidden, associate professor of Philosophy. His wife, Roberta, had found meditation to be a great help in dealing with stress and finally he consented to go with her and learn how himself. “I don’t know why you have to get your own ‘mantra’ (the word you silently repeat to yourself) from a Guru. Anyone could make one up but these don’t seem to work.” Unlike freudian analysis which involves someone else, this technique is done by yourself once you learn how, said Dr. Glidden. There are two types of transcendental meditation, scientific a respect people discovered “meditation” sign on his door) or he enjoys the peaceful outdoors. “Once you are in a comfortable position you let thoughts rise to your consciousness as bubbles float to the surface of a pond. The idea is not to try and think about any solution to problems nor make a mental effort to bring them up,”’ he said. “This process of letting any idea simply rise up allows for a release of tension.” Dr. Glidden pointed out if there are no thoughts emerging you turn to your mantra, repeating it over and over to yourself. In this way it acts as a catalyst that gets you into the transcendental state. The transcendental state is a calm situation—as if your mind were asleep— yet you can hear sounds around you and are cognizant to some extent of your environment and yourself. It’s a state of rest and complete relaxation. “Physiologically your system drops type. into a slow state, which can be measured scientifically,’ said Dr. Glidden, “It’s mind over matter.” ‘I don’t think I become one with God and the universe when I mediate but I use it as a means of attaining profound rest in a short time,”’ Dr. Glidden said. ‘A nap takes probably one-half hour. I can get better results with meditation by sitting 15-20 minutes in my chair.”’ Dr. Glidden finds a comfortable position in a quiet place (he has awareness. When Dr. Glidden feels ‘‘up-tight and tense,’’ he also jogs. ‘‘Meditation conserves strength, running builds strength. I feel I’m more efficient because of meditating and jogging. Both release stress and tension. and religious. In America the religious type is less popular than the scientific Meditation usually requires 20 minutes. It is time-out and pure self- they would enjoy most. Other individuals declare they have made a career selection and when asked how they made that decision the response is often ‘“‘I have a good friend job x .& - caree this | Q. Once you choose a job usually they | decision is final. A. One needs to keep in mind careay C4ree ther Macc YOUr figur how 1 a decision-making is a process and nota, finality. A study headed by Lewis Solomon, of the Higher Education Institute of Los Angeles, analyzing the occupation so I’ve decided to go into it,” work patterns of 4,000 men and womel or ‘‘my best friend thinks I’d be good at who entered college in 1961, found thal fully half of these graduates changeiy this job.” that is in this field and he enjoys it—so I’ve decided I’d go into that field also,”’ or ‘‘My Mom and Dad feel this is a good The internal approach is based on identifying who you are and what you’re about and then trying to identify a career that would allow you to utilize their career plans after completing they the s Earl Bark of Bernard Haldane Associates, an executive job-counselitg involve 1) exploring your interests, asking yourself tivities, classes, hobbies and enjoy. It means looking back more people are making career change today than 10 years ago and estimalé™ past life experiences, whether they be 10 or 30 years, and identifying the positive aspects of your life. 2) Recognizing or becoming aware of natural gifts which we call aptitudes and sitting down and own needs.”’ Many people push too hard during the week and then can’t unwind during the weekend. Dr. Glidden believes there is far more benefit in taking a few minutes off each day to meditate and jog. “Most people stick with meditation once they’ve learned it. It’s difficult to really explain why it works. It just does.”’ Mo Jess s the increase to be 30 per cent over whi) that verti: | it has been in the past. “The prospect of change does produce a certain amount bilge of apprehension nonetheless, people these days more willing to take the risk. sec’ this is because “sel contends fulfillment” more sensitive to my sail service with offices in 19 U.S. cities, Bark They free me. I have learned to monitor both mind and body and have become hire s them studies. There is a definite trend towart | late career changes. your talents to the fullest. This would particular what acevents you over your is. Pe and e | is no longer a dirty wort) in fact, it is becoming more virtuous switch than to suffer in a job you dislik® The trend toward second careers is! middle-class phenomenon, according Mary McParlin, vice president of pj) sonnel at Compton Advertising, Int New York City. She says the desire ft change often comes between ages 35 al 45. That’s when people think of openit that ski shop or going into the antiq business. People who ‘‘switch’’ jobs hay Ac¢ Bolle Para Hunt high: Jegiti data with jobs norm “I