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July 2003 • Table of Contents

Career Corner

AIM High and Succeed

by Teresa A. Whitacre

Are you unemployed and depressed about your options? Are you frustrated in your current position and feeling out of alternatives? Take heart. I have personally experienced both these scenarios, and I found the keys to unlocking the vault that contained ways to overcome these situations--AIM (attitude, inspiration and motivation). Consider the following true story depicted in a television movie:

A teenage girl's mother had passed away, and her father could no longer care for her. The homeless girl wanted to become something more, so she worked doubly hard, completing high school in two years and then receiving a full scholarship to a prominent Ivy League university. Hers is a story of applying the three keys, of wanting something badly enough to do whatever was necessary, and then some, to reach her goals.

While the locks on your vault may not be as difficult to open, the keys are definitely needed, unless you want to stay locked out forever.

The "A" Key

The old adage "attitude is everything" holds true on your career path, just as in life. Your state of mind or disposition toward your job search is directly proportional to your success. If you are experiencing prolonged unemployment and are developing a desperate or negative attitude about finding work, that attitude will show--in the application, interview and even in the search itself.

Case in point: If you are feeling worn out, exhausted or worried, this will show. Your appearance, body language and health are all affected by your mental attitude. The attitude key opens up many doors. The most qualified people can lose out on opportunities because they did not exude optimism and enthusiasm.

The "I" Key

Applying creative thinking to your career unlocks the door to inspiration. Coming up with a solution to a tough problem involves being inspired in some way.

In the movie, the teen was inspired to put her mind's capabilities to the test. She wanted to reach new heights and a new life--thus, her inspiration. Lack of parental guidance did not stop her. Lack of money, food, even a residence did not stifle the creativity it took her to reach her dreams.

What inspires you? Is it to consult, teach, train, manage or engineer an improvement? Is it to simply get a paycheck to pay the bills? Without inspiration to do something, nothing will happen.

The "M" Key

The motivation key is what gives you the reasons for taking certain actions. The teen in the movie was motivated to have a better life. She had clear, strong reasons for her actions--she knew she would not get a better life without taking them.

Motivation affects your career in much the same way. You cannot secure a new position unless you are motivated to look for one. You cannot build a network of contacts without getting started in some way such as making that first phone call. You cannot progress in your career without being motivated to do what is necessary to get there.

Actors say, "What is my motivation?" when they are setting up a scene. The same applies to your career. Ask yourself, what's my motivation? Then set up the scene and act.

The Vault Is Open

AIM--attitude, inspiration and motivation--are the keys to your career vault. These keys will help you get the doors open, but the rest is up to you. It is your career, and ultimately you are responsible for its development, direction and growth. The keys may unlock the vault, but once inside, you have to keep the doors open so you are not stuck in a suffocating rut for eternity.

AIM high and you can truly succeed in all you do.

TERESA A. WHITACRE is a quality engineer for Wabtec Rubber Products Divisions, Greensburg, PA, and principal of Marketech Systems. She authored a quality technology text used by the ASQ Pittsburgh Section for certified Quality Inspector and certified quality technician courses and has instructed both. Whitacre holds a bachelor's degree in quality engineering from Pacific Western University and holds ASQ quality engineering, quality manager, quality technician and quality auditor certifications. She is a Senior Member of ASQ.

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