Beer Sparks Career Choice

Remember the TV sitcom ‘Cheers’ with Norm and his buddy sitting at the bar with a pitcher of beer? According to a recent msnbc.com article where George Wendt shows TODAY hosts how to play beer pong, this is exactly how his career got launched. Career counselors often say, Follow Your Passion, not necessarily the advice of well-meaning relatives or economic projections. In this case, love of beer in his new book, “Drinking with George”, takes a humorous look at how this worked for his character ‘Norm’. This story also reminds me of a friend of a relative of mine who traveled the world selling Budweiser beer to retailers. One way to see the world… So, what’s wrong with a career in the entertainment or food and beverage industry? Nothing, especially if you have a passion, the personality, and desire to acquire the knowledge and experience to go with it. Just think maybe organic beer is could be your particular calling. Seriously, just today, I met a student thinking of a possible variation on a vegan cooking show. She told me that she was certain she could create a broadcast show where she could entertain and educate others to eat plants grown locally while making people laugh at the same time. Not I bad idea I thought to myself, given the huge environmental impact of animal farms, and the fact many Americans are over weight and prone to diabetes.

With all the fear and bad news about unemployment and pressure by well meaning family members this upcoming holiday season, I thought a little career humor encouragement might be in order. Actually there is a website by this name that might be worth checking out after finals and the holiday festivities. It’s Career Encouragement Blog at http://careerencouragement.typepad.com/the_career_encouragement_/workplace_humor/.

So, my personal holiday wish for you this season is to be curious. Ask those you know and don’t know at holiday gatherings, how they got started with their first job, and how they managed to get where they are today. Maybe ask what was their worst career advice. That could be entertaining. Just remember, if they say “plastics” like in the classic film “The Graduate” with Dustin Hoffman, they are only projecting their personal vision from what they see. Be polite, smile and say, I’m still exploring my options. I’ll keep it in mind. Enjoy the rest of your holidays.

Okay. Now for some really important places to research your interests if you get bored or have a few hours to spare. I’d check out our newly revised FREE Career Insider on-line program available to you once you log into your GAUCHOLINK account at the career services web page at http://career.ucsb.edu You need to look forward below the top tabs. This program link is highlighted under something that says ‘Career Insider’ by Vault. It’s truly amazing and did I say FREE! Okay. If you are like many of your generation that truly want to help with climate change. Check these Green Career Descriptions at http://www.greencareersguide.com/. Very cool.

 
Deb Artz is the internship coordinator at UCSB Career Services.