Career Paths for Young Professionals – an NLN Workshop Review
By Adrienne Wong and Danielle Fecko

Hi All,

This is Adrienne Wong. I'm on the Steering Committee for the Next Leaders Network. It's been a busy spring and summer, and the September 9th NLN session was the first I could attend. Titled Career Paths for Young Professionals, the two-hour session featured four speakers: Minna Schendlinger Festival Manager (PuSh International Performing Arts Festival), Kevin Millsip (former Executive Director of Check Your Head, now working with the Vancouver School Board), Janet Austin (CEO of the Vancouver YWCA), and Maureen Kellerman (Project Manager at the HR Council for the Voluntary and Non-profit Sector).

Myself and Danielle Fecko (who I recruited to the NLN) are providing a written response to the session for those who couldn't make it (and to carry on the dialogue with those who could). But we're being creative about it! I'm going to start by posing a question (and stating my thoughts) then Dani will respond and pose a question in return.

What statements from the panellists stood out as a young professional contemplating your career?

Adrienne: The whole session was an eye opener for me. As an arts and culture worker and professional artist, the notion of "career building" carries different connotations. Often in the arts sector I feel isolated from other professionals who are interested in managing an organization that gives back to society. It was heartening to see so many faces in the room, so many folks passionate about engaging with the challenge of improving our society.

Dani: I agree with all of that Adrienne. I have often felt that the arts and culture sector is a completely different ball game from the other sectors because of its fluid nature. That thee speakers credited their careers, regardless of sector, partly to luck and being in the right place at the right time, struck me. That, along with passion for the work, seemed to be an equalizing quality of each of their careers. Two other thoughts that stayed with me were Minna using the term “social profit” as opposed to non-profit, and one of the other panellists (I don’t remember which one – sorry!) commenting on the fact that we are in a time that sees three different generations of leaders working together.
The panel spoke about their journeys as professionals and how they got to where they are. Which ideas did you most relate to? What do you feel you need to work harder on?

Adrienne: Strangely, my answer to both questions is the same: passion. Many of the panellists spoke of spending time reflecting on their passion. Another word might be "purpose".  The notion that what can motivate you through a career needs to be intrinsically connected to what makes you feel satisfied seems like a simple idea, so simple that I had never consciously made the connection. I also appreciated the notion that our career and work needs can (and will!) change as the needs in our lives change.

Dani: I was affected by the panellist's speaking about the need to go with the flow. I am a chronic over planner – even though I may have a contract for, say, a year, I often start to plan my work after that right away. Tying into what Adrienne said regarding purpose and passion, the panellists spoke to the fact that if one has these two things, the right job or opportunity will appear. It was re assuring to hear this. It also sparked a re-examination in me. I need to be sure that what I have is true passion.

What are your answers to these questions?  Email us at membership@volunteervancouver.ca.

Do you want to explore how your purpose and passion can drive your career? Join us on December 01, 2009 for our upcoming NLN workshop - Leading With Direction. Click here to read more about this experiential workshop.

Adrienne Wong is co-Artistic Producer of Neworld Theatre, one of the independent companies leading a renaissance in the Vancouver theatre scene. She also creates, writes and produces new work for theatre and radio.

Dani Fecko has worked as a theatre professional for 3 years, stage managing, production managing and working on crews.  She has worked in Vancouver, Toronto, Victoria, and Seattle.  She is currently the Associate Producer of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.