I don’t like spinning, whirling, and twirling amusement park rides. My problems with these rides are twofold: (1) the signals controlling my equilibrium are not coordinated and (2) I like to be in control. When talking about their careers, a lot of people today look like I would if I just stepped off the Scrambler or the Cyclone -- and with good reason; the past decade has given us a wild employment ride and have left many seeking greater control over their careers.

Consider our recent history. Do any of these apply to you?

1. In 2001, just after the tragedy of 9/11, we started a collective conversation about re-evaluating our priorities. Friends who worked on Wall Street re-framed their careers to have more time with their loved ones – but so did friends who were thousands of miles away from Ground Zero. The concept of work-life balance seeped into our collective consciousness and became part of the fabric of our career goals. This was a significant shift in mindset for many as we desired greater work-life balance. We want our lives to lend time for our careers – and not vice versa. Do you seek great work-life harmony through greater control over your career?
2. In the middle of the decade, hundreds of thousands of jobs at the well-educated professional ranks were lost to off-shoring. This created anxiety, even though the majority of us were not personally affected. The toll was on the psyche of those who were finding that the linear path between an education and a secure job was more complicated than in prior generations. As a result, legions of networking groups were started, and continue today, as a way to better understand the path to job security. Do you seek greater clarity for the future of your career?
3. Now, at the end of the decade, we are experiencing high unemployment and underemployment. Roughly 55% of people report that they are not satisfied with their jobs and 75% list money and work as their sources of negative stress. Do you seek professional and financial security?

After this decade-long employment ride, it is not surprising that we are a bit out of balance and lacking control. I share this with you because these three factors comprise the new employment reality; it is a call to action.

These realities will not change much as we climb out of this recession, at least not for the next 5-7 years (my prediction). Here's why: Salary and benefits can comprise between 20 and 60 percent of a firm’s entire operating budget and, whether wise or not, companies will use cost-cutting methods to remain competitive. Companies are taking a more strategic approach in differentially investing in the competencies of their workforce. They are reconfiguring work, as needed, to compete.

The bottom line: You cannot own your job. Your company owns that. You can own your career – so control it.

How do you do that?

There are two things I’d like to focus on in the upcoming weeks of these blog posts. The first is to offer suggestions for you to gain control over your career, so you can enjoy work-life harmony, professional fulfillment, and financial security. I’d like everyone to consider the idea of managing your career in the same way you’d manage your investment portfolio, through diversification. The second is to offer suggestions on ways to increase your job security.

I want everyone to get off this ride to join me on steady ground. Life is too short to be unhappy, stressed, and have feelings of professional and financial insecurity.

Paula