Take Steps Towards Career Contentment

Waking up at 6 AM Monday through Friday and punching that time clock can become dull and mind-numbing if that is all that it is for you. For someone that enjoys their work and feels like they are making a difference, the daily grind is enjoyable and rewarding. Eight hours a day, five days a week is a walk in the park for those that are fulfilled in their chosen profession and that feel called or led to be where they are at in their jobs. The latter is experiencing Occupational Wellness, or the ability to get personal fulfillment from their jobs and their chosen career fields while still maintaining balance in their lives. The desire to contribute in their careers and to make a positive impact on the organizations they work in and to society as a whole leads to Occupational Wellness.

Occupational Wellness is grounded in two tenets. It is better to choose a career which is consistent with our personal values, interests, and beliefs than to select one that is unrewarding to us. Also, it is better to develop functional, transferable skills through structured involvement opportunities than to remain inactive and uninvolved.

The choice of profession, career ambitions, and personal performance are all important components of a person’s career terrain. Whether you’re just completing school, finding opportunities limited in your current position or, like many in this economy, facing unemployment, the right career is out there for everyone. By learning how to research options, realize your strengths, and acquire new skills, you can discover the career that’s right for you.

There are currently around 51,000 total jobs in Saline County, according to Holley Little, Regional Manager of First Staff. First Staff is a job placement business in Benton, AR that assists citizens in finding jobs and also assists employers who are looking for qualified employees. With Saline County being right down the interstate from the city of Little Rock, many residents seek job opportunities there as well. “Approximately 21,000 live and work in Saline County and 26,000 live in Saline County but work elsewhere. Approximately 4,000 live in other counties and commute to work in Saline County,” Holley said.

When employers are seeking out potential employees, there are several aspects that are carefully considered. “Employers look for dependable “team players” with good attitudes who want to grow with the company. Employers also look for those who are able to work alone or in a group setting, and who are able to self start,” Holley explained.

Employees often seek out a favorable paying job in salaries and benefits. The main objective of the majority of the work force seems to be ensuring that they are bringing home enough money to live comfortably. While this is important, it should not be the only reason for seeking out employment. “Most people look for a stable employer that offers professional growth and a succession plan,” Holley said.

The current unemployment rate in Saline County is 5.7 percent according to the 2010 Census while the Arkansas unemployment rate is 7.5 percent. Being employed allows a person to be more a more equipped and a more productive member of society. “Employed people are able to contribute to the county’s overall financial growth since they have an income. They have usual, everyday stressors, but having the ability to provide for their families takes away the stress of being unemployed,” Holley stated.

If you feel like Occupational Wellness is lacking in your life, it is never too late to consider a career change. First, it is imperative to find out what your primary interests, goals, and passions are. Once you have that figured out, you can begin fine tuning your search for a new career. Career and personality tests are great tools to use in helping pin point and narrowing down your desired areas of profession.

Once you have a general idea of the direction you want to go, take the time to figure out what skills you already have and what skills you need. There may be transferable skills that can bleed over into your new profession. If there are skills that you are lacking, find ways to gain those skills such as looking for on-the-job training or opportunities to do projects that develop new skills. Career change doesn’t happen overnight, and it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the steps to successfully change careers. However, commitment and motivation will get you there.

Job opportunities in Saline County are on the rise and the future looks bright. “Expected retail and manufacturing jobs will add many more jobs to Saline County and will enable more of the unemployed, unhappily employed, and under employed to gain new employment,” Holley concluded.