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Book Excerpt
Achieving the Colorblind Career
by Ollie Stevenson
The Colorblind Career
Achieving the Colorblind Career
Exactly what is a colorblind career? It is a career that reaches beyond color to
enable you to achieve success in today's mainstream business culture. And, like
it or not, to reach this success, you have to follow standards of behavior and
attitudes and a set of business values that are based, for the most part, on the
business values, work ethics, and the business mind-set of the white male. The
simplest way to think of this business mind-set is to understand that the
majority of people in a given situation set the standards for that situation;
the ideas and values they adhere to become the mainstream standard. Currently,
the majority of people in American big business are white, so the standards are
most heavily influenced by them.
As more and more people of color enter the business arena and move to higher
levels of influence, this mind-set will change to incorporate a greater
diversity of values. As a person of color, you can be part of that change only
if you're on the inside. Once you adhere to the scandals - the values,
attitudes, and behaviors - of today's corporate business culture, you will be in
a position to add your perspective to it and, together with other people of
color, also steadily change it.
Avoid Stereotypes
I've noticed in counseling people at all levels and in many fields that our
decisions are influenced even more than ewe realize by other people and by
society. We've all heard the stereotypes: Women don't make good truck drivers or
police officers; Asian people should stick to hi-tech or numbers-oriented jobs;
people with a scientific or technical leaning shouldn't take jobs that require
strong interpersonal skills. And the list toes on. Don't let these kinds of
stereotypes deter you from following a career path that fits your aspirations
and talents. When someone you respect or someone who holds a position simular to
yours makes a recommendation about your career, you probably take it very
seriously. In fact, your thinking may be strongly influenced by her advice. But
now that you've accepted responsibility for your own career, you'll need to
carefully evaluate these recommendations t determine how they align with your
goal If you find that the advice does not support the career path you've laid
out for yourself, then you'll simply have to challenge it
Begin by looking at where that person is coming from - in terms of background,
age, culture, work history, and the like. An older person's recommendation, for
example, may be tainted with an outdated cultural belief about gender roles On
the other hand, someone who's suffered through hard times might make
recommendations based on survival issues rather than personal satisfaction. Then
there are the people who claw their way up the ranks, taking any opportunity
that comes their way, and feel lucky to have arrived at their current position;
these people, who are motivated merely by need to secure a job and who have not
developed their own careers, often place little value on choosing the right job
-- one that fits a career plan. Suuch people might suggest, for example, that you
take a secretarial job only because it pays more than an analyst position, when
the analyst position would, in fact be more in line with your career
aspirations. Or, if you're being paid well as a foreman, they might encourage
you to stay in this position rather than accept, say, an accounting position at
a company where you'll have the opportunity to advance in management at a
corporate level.
ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH YOUR FIRST JOB?
Your first job is important because it starts you on your career track. Whether
you already have a job or you're just starting to look, you will fall into one
of the following categories and will confirm that you are headed in the right
direction or provide guidance in getting on track. Choose the one category that
best fits your current status.
I am looking for a position now, and I realize that I need to choose carefully.
I am clear about the skills I need to develop to advance my career and will be
seeking a job along those lines (Excellent. You are on the right track).
I have already accepted a job and can see that it will be vary beneficial to my
skill development and in advancing my career (Excellent. You are on the right
track. Start planning now for your next job move, whether in your company or to
another company).
I have accepted a job, but I am not sure that it will help my career in the long
run. I plan to seek advice from a mentor, a career counselor, and a human
resource professional at my company to determine if I am on the right path to
reach my goal. (Very good. But can't delay seeking guidance to ensure that you
are on track. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to make a change).
I accepted a position outside my career goal because it was readily available. I
like what I am doing so much now that I want to rethink my career goal. (It is
good that you recognize the need for reevaluation because you always need a plan
based on a goal if you want to achieve success. Rethink your goal as soon as
possible and set up a new career plan).
I accepted a position because I needed immediate money, but I am still looking
for a job that will support my career goal, and I will not stop until I have
secured one. (Do not delay in getting on track. Temporary jobs can turn into
permanent delays where you end up feeling frustrated and unfulfilled many years
later if you have to accept another "temporary" job try for something that will
allow you to build skills or get exposure in your chosen profession).
Copyright 1997 by Ollie Stevenson. Reprinted with permission from The 90 Minute
Interview Prep Book by Peggy Schmidt
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