Learn from the mistakes of others

a project

i have a bit of a project at the moment. since i got just as serious about having a job as i usually am - i changed my  job agency. sa career consultants is a disability open employment service (does) 'provider'. unlike previous versions, this place actually seems to offer services that might do something about getting me into a real job. i have a career consultant and everything.

ok, so the project. i have to come up with a short list of three (3) priority jobs. my top three dream jobs. and think about changing my resume to a skills-based statement, rather than the current chronological scare-fest.

so, my top jobs?

well now, this one is a doozy. if i could pick any three jobs to walk into tomorrow, what (apart from the apprentice) would i choose? [i think that limitation is unfair - i could give most of the current crop of weasels a run for the money.]

but this is reality. it's unlikely mr trump or any of the dragons [a franchised idea] would pick me off the street, so back to it.

it's not easy to narrow down to three options when you have interests as diverse as mine, and education, skills and experience to match. so where to start?

i looked for the common elements in my experiences, particularly the one's i enjoyed - in particular i wanted to identify what i do well™ and what i enjoy doing™ ... any intersection would be illuminating.

talking. being opinionated. knowing stuff. explaining stuff. nutting out difficult problems. working with others. summarising. arguing. debating. being difficult. running meetings. being in meetings (especially those that provide food and beverages).

talking. being opinionated. knowing stuff. explaining stuff. nutting out difficult problems. working with others. summarising. arguing. debating. being difficult. running meetings. this is beginning to look like the same list (it even has brackets).

so, taking my list, what jobs might match with what i'm interested in and/or qualified for ...

lawyer, biologist, analyst, researcher, technologist, educator.

3. academic/public intellectual - need some more street-cred, and a postgraduate degree.

2. lawyer - nine more months and i'm free to practice what and how i want without restriction.

1. policy analyst/advisor (public policy, legal, or technical) - need a job in a government department or with a politician or something

get those three months and my unrestricted practising certificate.
get some experience in policy work.
start a postgraduate degree. and finish at least one.

consultant public intellectual/policy analyst and|or a consultant political advisor.
start, and develop, a leading public policy think tank. [not another one!?]

am i mad?