How
prepared are you to be fired?
With the
high-level of volatility that exists in our industry today, it is
increasingly likely that in the course of your career you will find
yourself without a regular paycheck. Aside from being financially
prepared to go without a paycheck for six or so months, what tools
do you have to get yourself where you want to be?
This then
begs the question: Where do you want to be?
Assuming
you want to remain in the industry, you have three options:
-
Become a consultant.
-
Become an independent.
-
Find a job with another company.
Irrespective
of which path you choose, you will find that one tool, and only
one tool, is effective in helping you achieve your aim.
That tool
is your NETWORK.
Quite simply,
how many people out there are willing and able to help you get back
in the game?
The more
people familiar with your skills and professionalism, the greater
the likelihood that one of them will introduce you to the right
person to offer you a job or consulting position, or make you aware
of the right opportunity to purchase production and become an independent.
To build
a network, you must be involved in your professional community,
preferably within both your local society and AAPG. One way to become
involved is to call the president of your local society or contact
AAPG, and ask to serve on a committee. Look for committees that
will fit your interests, and expose you to the most number of other
members.
If you
want your network to include those members that represent the best
of the best, then you should look to join a committee within the
Division of Professional Affairs.
DPA membership
is roughly 10 percent that of the association, yet over the last
decade DPA members have been disproportionately represented in leadership
positions within the association:
-
50 percent of the chairs of AAPG committees
are, or were, DPA members.
-
60 percent of the AAPG officers are, or were, DPA members.
-
60 percent of the AAPG Foundation Trustee Associates are, or were,
DPA members.
As you
can see, the DPA is the "A Team" of the association -- and, by proxy,
of the industry. Furthermore, a significant number of DPA members
are consultants and independents.
If you
are considering becoming a consultant or independent someday, one
of the best places to meet your future peers is in the DPA.
So, if
you want to be part of the "A Team" and network with the top 50
percent of the industry, then you want to become an involved member
of the DPA.
Let me close
with a few questions:
Do you
want to be part of the "A Team"?
If not,
why?
If so,
are you certified?
If not,
why?
Take the
time to become certified, and let your employer or clients know
that you are one of the "A Team."