I was reading Steve Rubel's Micro Persuasion blog earlier today and found an article that applies to not only marketers but everyone who struggled with the question (and may still struggle with it today), "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Steve tells his readers that the most essential career skill you need to succeed is curiousity. He came to this conclusion by analyzing his own career path choices and determined that by choosing a career he was truly curious about, he was able to succeed. 
Steve relates a story about a trip to the guidance office at his college and subsequent career assessment test he had to complete. Most of us probably remember completing a similar assessment in high school. I remember my career assessment told me I should pursue a career in forestry. I hate bugs. Bugs live in the forest. Forestry was not for me. Instead, I chose to pursue a career in a field I had always been curious about. For years, I collected print advertisements. I had several folders bursting with print ads for a wide variety of products all of which I saved because I found something intriguing and compelling about them. That curiousity led me to pursue a career in marketing and ultimately become an expert in creative, production and copywriting, particularly in the print medium.
I guess I followed Steve's advice without even realizing it. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did your choice match any assessments you took? Did you choose a career you're still curious about?
If you like this post, why not subscribe to my feed or by email for free MarketingBlurb updates?
Comment Preview