commentary that reflects on your developing transferable and employability skills

How does it feel about switching careers? I sometimes ask myself this question. Switching careers is something that has become quite normal these days. People change jobs for many different reasons; some are laid off due to the lousy economy, others are just burnt out, or they want to follow their dreams. Many people dream big but fail to act on their dreams because it is scary, and we live in a world that tells us we can’t do it without education and experience. There is merit in that statement, and you need experience and, most times, education to get started in your new career. But is a college degree required for every occupation?

The world is constantly changing, so we must adapt or find ourselves out of work. I believe you have to keep an open mind and be willing to try something new if necessary. We all can offer something that is needed in different ways. For example, I am a people person, and I am a natural-born leader. Those two qualities are essential, of course, but the rest is up to me.

I am excited about finding what it is that makes me happy and provides me with financial stability. I want to try lots of new things in life to be sure whatever I choose will fulfill my desires and dreams. I do it for myself and, in the process, help others who may be willing to participate.

Consciously or unconsciously, we always try to give back at some level. After all, we must remember that life is about helping each other and giving back when necessary. You indeed reap what you sow, so doing good for others also benefits us! A short reflection on some of the transferable skills I have acquired due to my experience as a waitress and care worker.

• I am a people person, and this is an evident skill as I work in customer service.
• I communicate effectively orally, being able to deal with customers or colleagues that are upset.
• I am empathetic and understanding of others, which helps me to better deal with problems. I like to think outside the box and solve problems that may arise.
• I am proactive, meaning if something needs to be done, then I do it without being asked.
• I am dependable, and my managers know they can rely on me to work on time every day.
• I have a great sense of responsibility, which helps me to stay focused and organized. I am very creative, and I enjoy coming up with new ideas to solve problems or make our products more efficient.
• I deal well with stress as long as I can keep my surroundings clean and orderly.
• I have a strong work ethic.
• I am a people person and care about the needs of others. I enjoy interacting with others, which helps me to develop solutions to problems. I would make a great problem solver because I can stay focused on essential and find creative ways to get things done.
• I have been designated as a leader in the workplace. I am a natural-born leader and possess qualities that make me an effective team player. It is essential to lead others in the right direction, which helps create successful outcomes.
• I learn well from my mistakes and do not repeat them in the future. This shows responsibility and honesty!
• I am organized and efficient with my time because I know how much money we need to make each night at work to pay the rent and other bills on time. Sometimes it might take me one or two nights on a shift to get everything done for everyone’s needs, but I always get it done!
• I have good organizational skills for getting things done on time, but sometimes I may procrastinate from time to time. I have been told that I could be a good leader because people feel comfortable around me and see my dedication and hard work.
• I communicate effectively orally. This comes in handy when a customer is upset with the service, but since all of our customers are considered VIPs, I am always polite but firm.
• I am empathetic and understanding of others, which helps me better deal with problems and develop solutions.
• I like to think outside the box and solve problems that may arise. This comes in handy because there’s always an unexpected problem that needs solving!
• Proactive: If something needs to be done, then I do it without being asked. Often, I might anticipate what needs to be done and get it done before anything is asked of me….