The IT in this case is your life---of which your work, your career, your vocation, is one but certainly not the only piece. Our answers change over the years…but the question remains, evolves, and returns as we work our way through life’s experiences.

 “What do I want it to be like?”

Like map reading, the tools for accurate self-assessment and elegant decision-making are not difficult to learn. Mastering them is well worth our investment at whatever stage of our lives and careers we find ourselves. We all need these skill sets repeatedly…right up until our last breath. For as surely as new versions of hardware, software and communications tools emerge which we must master, so too do new questions about our lives, our work, our priorities and our values evolve---pulling us to take stock again, measure where we have been and what opportunities may lie just ahead.

Creating a life, a path, a life’s work is not a destination---it’s a road-trip. And it’s way more fun when you’re well equipped and know how to check the tire pressure, change the oil, and find a good mechanic!

This resource guide is intended as a Michelin guide for your trip---not everything is included, some useful things have not yet been reviewed, but many major “not to be missed” landmarks are here for your consideration. Just remember that it’s always possible you’ll come this way again. What doesn’t seem worth a second look just now may well provide a fascinating visit another time.

Who, after all, only wants to visit Italy (Africa, Australia, Asia…) only once? Childhood is the only land we come from to which we are barred re-entry, although Peter Pan always believed he was on to something…

To assist you with your journey, we have created a guidebook, the WIT Resource Manual. This manual will serve as a reference book to help you through your transition. Since we are all at difference stages of transition, we have divided the manual into the following sections:

Section 1 – Career Assessment

Section 2 – Creating a Self-Marketing Plan

Section 3 – Go To Market Campaign

Section 4 – Resume and Cover Letter Basics

The team would like to thank the following people who assisted with creation of the manual:

• Colleen Connelly
• Shirley Edwards
• Ardell Fleeson
• Dede Haskins
• Munira Jaffar
• Coleen Long
• Carol Moroz
• Nancy Meiers
• Kerry Ogden
• Susan Post
• Sue Scott
• Gayle Sweeney
• Debbie Thacker
• Cynthia Wimmer

WIT members who have contributed via the surveys handed out at the Career Workshops.

© 2003 Penelope Garner and TAKING CHARGE! ® INTERNATIONAL.

  All rights reserved. Used with permission.