The Career Octopus

This concept was introduced to me a while back by a college advisor, a fun way to find your way, the career octopus.

We discussed how to connect with yourself in a previous post, see "Who Are You?" This post is the next step from discovering who you are, to what you want in the future and what career will fit you.

That's a significant difference, whether you fit the career or it fits you. Every person is absolutely unique and like no one else, luckily jobs are the same, no two are alike, and if you search long enough you will find your match written in the stars, romantic right?

There are a few different versions of the career octopus but this is my favorite, I'll break down every element and provide examples to get you started.

Personal: Between you and yourself. How well equipt are you for your career and how do you handle yourself? What are your dreams and values?

Lifestyle: How do you want your everyday life to look? This includes where you live. What is your family like and how do you spend your free time? How does money play into this?

Social: The people you surround yourself with. Is this coworkers, friends? How do you want to feel in your workplace? How important are relationships to you, professional and personal?

Moral: What impact do you want to have on your world? How do you care for your fellow humans?

Practical: Money and genuine ability. Are your goals and wishes accessible? How much does your career path cost and how much do you want to make?

Setting up your career octopus:

Draw or print out a blank and attempt to find as many examples (ideally 5) from each category that make you happy. Here is an example I made way back when (some things have changed, as they do) to help guide you.

Check your boxes.

Write a make believe job description in a company and a place that fits you. What are the broad strokes of what you are doing, the day-to-day life, the change you are enacting? Then search for a position or career path that includes such a job, make a Venn diagram if you have to, check the boxes, and find what clicks.

Once you know the things you want for a future it is easier to see a path to get there, whether you are focused on one place or a general field. You will all end up right where you are meant to be, doing great things!