Forging Your One Career to Rule Them All
Posted by TestOut Staff on
A ring made of a precious metal like gold does not come out of the ground in its final shape and with its quintessential shine. The metal first has to go through an arduous refining process, and I’m not talking about any magical forging that takes place in the fires of Mount Doom.
When precious metals are mined, they are impure. Gold, for instance, is rarely 100 percent gold when it is discovered. In order for it to be declared “pure gold,” it has to first be melted down and infused with chlorine gas, which separates all other metals from the gold.
To increase purity beyond that point, the remaining gold must be cast, placed in hydrochloric acid and electrocuted. This dissolves the gold into its purist form. This pure metal is once again subjected to fire to be shaped into the finished ring.
Starting a career and searching for employment can be viewed much like the process of making a pure gold ring. There are many stages one must go through before reaching one’s desired career and salary. Education, whether it be a college degree or certification, may seem like the melting and separating process.
Then comes the acid bath and shock associated with the job search. Once employed, you are still faced with impending difficulties (which could include unemployment), but if you persevere through these difficulties, then you will be shaped into the professional you want to become.
With that being said, recent U.S. employment numbers have been declining — yet another refiner’s fire. There are reasons why April’s U.S. employment numbers may have been a little low, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to find a job.
If you are struggling to find employment, don’t give up. Take the down time to learn some new skills. Each certification you acquire will make you more marketable to the next employer. The refining process may not be the most pleasant to go through, but it’s necessary to achieve the spectacular final product. Don’t give up on your career goals.
About the Author — Jake Slater is the social media manager for GoCertify and a graduate of Brigham Young University. Jake's most important family heirloom is the gold ring he received from his great-grandfather, Khamûl the Easterling.