1 Guy, 1 Year: 52 Jobs
Sean Aiken is all about passion. After finishing college with a business degree tucked in his belt, he couldn’t just settle for any old career. It had to be one he was passionate about.
So Sean set out on a year long adventure to discover the right career for him. Each week, he works a new job and learns a little bit more about himself along the way. He also posts weekly videos on his website, One Week Job, which show his fans where he’s been working that week, whether it be as a tattoo parlour assistant , a florist or a bungee operator .
When we searched the web looking for great blogs to feature on TravelBlogs, One Week Job was one of the first to come to mind. Why? Because Sean’s journey is all about being on the move and constantly stepping out of his comfort zones – two things most travellers can identify with.
TravelBlogs caught up with Sean last week to ask a few questions about his experiences in the workplace and on the road.
What is the most common response you get when you tell people what you’re doing?
Their face usually lights up with curiosity and interest, they smile then say, “Wow, that’s really cool, I wish I thought of the idea!”
Do you tend to get nervous most weeks when you’re starting a new job? Or has that subsided over time as your confidence has grown?
It has subsided somewhat after having 27 first days on the job so far and my confidence has grown, though it is always a leap. I now see the start of each week as just another opportunity to learn something new. So I think entering into each week with a willingness to learn, an open mind, and excitement to meet new people has helped ease the first day nerves.
Everything you earn this year has gone towards the Make Poverty History Campaign. I guess that means you’ve had to get by on a fairly limited budget. What are some things you’ve learned about travelling around Canada on the cheap?
We would not be able to sustain the project without staying at peoples homes. You can save tonnes this way and I think also enriches the experience as we are able to meet some great people. Also, grocery stores are the way to go to eat descent and keep costs down. Free internet at public libraries is sweet. The ride share section on Craigslist.com has helped us out quite a bit with rides and also places to stay.
The ultimate purpose of this year is for you to find a career that you can be passionate about. Now that you’re a little over halfway through, do you think you’ve figured out what that career is?
I couldn’t tell you the specific title though I am getting a clearer picture of what it is going to look like and how I want my life to be. Some things I have learned are that I need to be continually challenged, involved in changing tasks, interacting with people, and be involved in a profession in which I am contributing to something bigger than just the bottom line of the company I am working for.
On your site, you list a bunch of jobs you’d like to do this year. What are the top 3 on that list that you really still want to do?
(I would still love to do them all, so how about 4)
- Stock broker
- Job shadow Donald Trump
- Rocket Scientist at NASA
- News Anchor
When I first came across One Week Job, I thought it was a great idea. But it also struck me that it’s one of those ideas that won’t work for everyone. For most people, a resume full of jobs that only lasted a week doesn’t look that good! So what’s your advice for people who might be searching for their passion in life, but who don’t have the luxury of trying out as many jobs as you’ve been able to try out?
I don’t think it’s a luxury, it’s a choice – Anybody who wanted to, could go out and work a different job a week. You are right, a resume with a bunch of one week jobs probably doesn’t look that good, though I think the project seen as a whole is going to look pretty good on my resume.
Anyway, my advice:
I think a mistake many people make when deciding what they want to do for a living is to focus on an title and ignore the characteristics that a particular career and its lifestyle would entail. “I want to be a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher …” After having then gained the knowledge or expertise to get there, we might come to realize this is not what we are truly looking for.
Make a promise to yourself that you will be in a job that you love doing. Once you make that promise to yourself, with every decision that comes your way, you will be asking yourself whether this will still keep you on the path to making this situation become a reality.
Ultimately, whether we are happy or not in our careers/lives is our choice. I think remembering this goes a long way.
Check out Sean’s site, One Week Job , to read his blog or watch videos of his latest adventures.
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Posted by Eric Daams on September 25th, 2007 in Interviews.
