I appreciate your thoughtful, insightful and unpretentious essays, Edward.
After getting laid off from two jobs and treated like trash at a third that I got through my MBA during the dot com, I chose to take my career into my own hands by going into straight commission sales. I knew if I was a top salesperson I would always have a job, which I did. It was my most satisfying work, and I never got laid off again or felt unappreciated.
As you allude, being an entrepreneur is in our nature. We were entrepreneurs for eons prior to the Industrial Revolution.
I liked that book and the core message and would agree, even though I didn't know the concept then. Sales is sink or swim, no in-between, which worked well for my temperament, even though I'm an introvert.
In the US securities industry, there is a use-it-lose-it element of accreditation. If one chooses to move away from stockbroking and related activities, one has only a certain amount of time before the accreditation is suspended. And getting it back is a major effort. The ultimate trap for keeping people in accreditee status.
Very similar to the medical situation. I agree of course that doctors should be subject to certain preconditions etc for keeping their licence, but it's done in a way which is quite gaslighting, passive aggressive, and seems to implicitly suggest that without credentials, you are nothing. And in the end you rely entirely on the whims of a faceless governing body.
Interesting to think about as a solidly un-credentialed person myself. I have a friend who’s a corporate lawyer. Probably works 70 hours a week and might be kinda miserable, but sometimes I find myself envying his stability and security. He knows he’ll probably always be able to do corporate lawyering.
Whereas I’m more at the whimsy of the market, etc.
This is a good reminder of how the grass always seems greener!
After being on both sides of this "arc" -- the biz side of Western medicine (generalist) and the licensed side of eastern medicine (accredited) I 100% agree with your observations, as I have experienced them firsthand. This explains sooo many things. At this point, I feel I can say I know how certain actors who get typecasted feel when they want to try a new role.
Having worked with many doctors and being a child of two lawyers, I have the unpopular take that these careers are actually "Low Leverage."
The very credentialism that makes these careers seem defensible is a sign of the tractability and replaceability of it's individuals.
Simply said: when there is a clear track, when the rewards are certain, when someone can follow a formula for success... roles actually are more risky over the long-term.
I appreciate your thoughtful, insightful and unpretentious essays, Edward.
After getting laid off from two jobs and treated like trash at a third that I got through my MBA during the dot com, I chose to take my career into my own hands by going into straight commission sales. I knew if I was a top salesperson I would always have a job, which I did. It was my most satisfying work, and I never got laid off again or felt unappreciated.
As you allude, being an entrepreneur is in our nature. We were entrepreneurs for eons prior to the Industrial Revolution.
Thanks for the reflection.
Thanks Ryan! Sounds like you took the 'become so good they can't ignore you' route!
I liked that book and the core message and would agree, even though I didn't know the concept then. Sales is sink or swim, no in-between, which worked well for my temperament, even though I'm an introvert.
In the US securities industry, there is a use-it-lose-it element of accreditation. If one chooses to move away from stockbroking and related activities, one has only a certain amount of time before the accreditation is suspended. And getting it back is a major effort. The ultimate trap for keeping people in accreditee status.
Very similar to the medical situation. I agree of course that doctors should be subject to certain preconditions etc for keeping their licence, but it's done in a way which is quite gaslighting, passive aggressive, and seems to implicitly suggest that without credentials, you are nothing. And in the end you rely entirely on the whims of a faceless governing body.
Interesting to think about as a solidly un-credentialed person myself. I have a friend who’s a corporate lawyer. Probably works 70 hours a week and might be kinda miserable, but sometimes I find myself envying his stability and security. He knows he’ll probably always be able to do corporate lawyering.
Whereas I’m more at the whimsy of the market, etc.
This is a good reminder of how the grass always seems greener!
It really does go both ways!
There is something comforting in reading how others understand the situations we find ourselves challenged by. Thank you.
Thank you Dawnelle!
After being on both sides of this "arc" -- the biz side of Western medicine (generalist) and the licensed side of eastern medicine (accredited) I 100% agree with your observations, as I have experienced them firsthand. This explains sooo many things. At this point, I feel I can say I know how certain actors who get typecasted feel when they want to try a new role.
It certainly seems to really apply to healthcare. Certain degree of learned helplessness going on!
This is a unique and underrated perspective!
Having worked with many doctors and being a child of two lawyers, I have the unpopular take that these careers are actually "Low Leverage."
The very credentialism that makes these careers seem defensible is a sign of the tractability and replaceability of it's individuals.
Simply said: when there is a clear track, when the rewards are certain, when someone can follow a formula for success... roles actually are more risky over the long-term.
(shameless plug for my own writing: https://newsletter.thewayofwork.com/p/career-leverage)