by Allison L. Williams Hill In-Vesica Art Design Energy
“Do All Things In-Vesica.”
Posted on October 7, 2021
Written 12/6/15
When I went to college, I worked full-time and attended summer school or took evening courses. The job I had at the time served me well because of its flexibility. But now, the opportunity to attend school and work for oneself is greater than it was back then in the 1980s.
Since the existence of the internet, creating a small business while in school opened a lot of possibilities. It always helps to research what is already out there. A student can create a “learner site.” My husband attended the Union Institute and University for his doctorate program. It was while working with him to produce his PDE (Project Demonstrating Excellence) that I learned the term “learner.” It is accepted that people, specifically professionals, work to increase their knowledge base.
The guardian mentioned that a young man she was involved with graduated from high school and he had selected his career. I suggested to the graduate’s guardian that he create a free blog to share his passion for his chosen profession. The young man had employment covered which was great. He could begin networking with other professionals and create relationships such as:
- Conducting interviews of new and established professionals;
- Asking them to become guest bloggers to discuss their experiences or careers in general, and/or
- Offering them advertising space on his blog.
As he prepares to enter college, he could document his experiences; include information laypeople could use now, and experiment with integrating his subject with similar ones that may create new professional paths to explore. One idea I learned about many years after I graduated was to integrate other courses related, and not, with your major and/or minor. Research grants related to courses and apply for them so there is funding for your choice.
Over time, it is difficult to say how much, the blog could attract an audience for revenue-generating sources like goods retailers or wholesalers; superstore advertising from local, regional, or national mail orders or brick-and-mortar stores like Amazon or Target, and affiliate marketers.
Children are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Young men and women are asked, “What do you want to be?” Reworded, the question becomes, “What do you want to work at?” Rarely are people asked, “How do you want to grow in your work?” That is the career path that ends in retirement to rest or pursue something else or that continues for as long as one lives. College or institute catalogs; books; magazines like Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and others would be resources appropriate for his choice.
“What if…?” is another path to consider, as in concepts, ideas that have not been pursued or don’t exist at the time.
Socially connecting, from person to person at lectures; luncheons, Chamber of Commerce breakfasts, organizations asking questions, and most importantly, listening, will expand his ability to provide useful information that people will appreciate.