Security’s Siren Song

I keep bouncing between two opposing concerns.  One is that, while I am planning the next phase in my career, I am missing opportunities that are open now.  Ontario is steaming ahead to build more renewable energy capacity right now.  The feds just announced more subsidies for carbon-capture projects out West, right now.  But I’m not even halfway finished the program with the career consultants, yet.  My resumé is still a work in progress.   What if my ideal position is open somewhere, right now, and I’m missing out?

The other is the worry that I will be offered a less-than-perfect position too early in the process, before I have really made a run at my ideal job.  There are still many green-tech industries that I want to research further.

It all comes down to one question: should I be networking yet, or not?

I went to speak with my career consultant yesterday.  His answer was: yes, I should be making those phone calls right now.  I am not necessarily calling people to ask them for a job, and I don’t have to accept a job if it’s offered.  I want to ask them about their industry and about their business, and I should be direct about what I’m looking for.  If a position is open but it does not fit my requirements, then nobody will be upset when I turn it down.

Nobody except me, that is.  Will I be able to turn down a job that meets my salary and location requirements, to continue chasing my dream?  Yes I will.  Yes.  YES.  (I’m practicing.)  Yes, I will turn down the wrong job.  I will continue to seek fulfillment over security.  Yes.

Beautiful Wind Turbines

A quick update on my situation:

• I am going to the wind-energy conference next week: CanWEA’s Wind Matters 2009, in Toronto.
• I am working (on contract) for a SR&ED* company.  This is piece-work which will not interrupt my career project, and it will allow me to develop experience in the renewable energy field.
• today, I’m going to speak to some ex colleagues who now work at an engineering services company which builds wireless access networks and which helps wireless operators to manage their energy use and carbon footprint.  The perfect intersection of my interests and experience?  We’ll see!
• someone in the old wireless world has heard that I’m available and wants to talk to me.  This will be the real test.

Continuing to resist Security’s Siren Song, I am:

- Johnny O.

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*  SR&ED: The CRA (the tax man) gives refunds for money spent on  Scientific Research & Engineering Development (SR&ED; pronounced “shred”).   I will be helping businesses to claim refunds on work they’ve done that qualifies as SR&ED.  It’s a technical writing job.