We Are In The Worst Crisis Since Daughter Failed Driver's Test!

We are in the worst crisis since Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie found they were outgunned and out-manned at the Alamo…
This is the worst Global crisis Adam and Eve messed up in the Garden…
This is the worst crisis since the Chicago (no pun or inference intended) Fire…
This is the worst crisis since my daughter failed her driving test on her sixteenth birthday…

Okay, I’m getting carried away, but I thought I’d add a few old crises to the mix of other crises being used to tell us that it is “worse than.” Yeah, it ain’t necessarily great out there, but those of us who’ve been around awhile can tell you that it ain’t necessarily hopeless and we sure aren’t helpless as individuals.

There is an old story about a move during the early 1800’s to close the U.S. Patent office because it was felt that no new innovations or inventions would be forthcoming—that we’d reached the zenith in new ideas! As you know, cooler heads prevailed and over the past 100+ years we’ve seen this lack of innovation bring forth things like the telegraph, telephone, computers, cellular phones, the internet and of course, the microwave oven. I almost forgot, we also put men on the moon!

The point is regardless of how bad things may appear (and thinking we had no more innovations and inventions was bad because it challenged American ingenuity and no discouraged some bright young inventors), there are always opportunities if we aren’t afraid to look for them and take the steps necessary to avail ourselves of them.

Take this stimulus spending bill that recently passed. As I wrote in the February “Hidde Report” (commentary on employment trends, job search, etc) “Whether or not you approve of the stimulus package that at this writing is making its way through the legislative process to the White House, it represents the cards you are being dealt.

At first glance, you might not see how any of the areas targeted in it can help advance your career goals. But, take a long look at the “trickle” down effect it can have on your profession. For example, large amounts are supposed to be funneled into road and infrastructure repair. Granted, you probably aren’t looking for a job on a road crew or as a construction worker, but those aren’t the only positions that will be expanded or created.

Road and infrastructure repair will require expertise in engineering, technical aptitude, raw and finished materials, transportation, logistics, project managers, and support staff. In short, every company up and down the supply chain represents an opportunity for skilled professionals to forge new career paths.

The bill’s emphasis on new energy sources represents exciting new opportunities to apply your expertise in emerging industries. Even if you aren’t directly involved in the new energy companies, there will be expansions in support industries that will demand fresh faces and ideas.

These two examples illustrate how other areas in the bill could expand opportunities for positive career movement. Obviously, a person will need to take the time to analyze those areas that directly relate to his or her transferable skills and research the various projects being funded to determine how those skills can fit in the delivery chain. To the person willing put forth the effort to analyze and seize these new opportunities, the stimulus bill could open lucrative new career doors and provide a fist full of dollars!”

Look for opportunities you can leverage and have a stimulated, great and profitable week!
Robert Hidde