Problem-solvers Are Like Chess Players.

The difference between developing the “traditional,” specialistic careers, and becoming a “problem solver” can be compared to the difference between becoming a speed-runner and a chess player. In speed running, the point is to get towards the target in a straight line. As a runner, you make consequent and well-defined steps as fast as you possibly can.

For instance, if you want to become the top Data Scientist, you need to learn statistics and programming.

You also need to learn about data science and machine learning tools, pick data science projects, and build a portfolio of completed projects.

You need to always aim at more and more challenging, complex, and prestigious projects than the ones you completed before. You must work on your professional development continuously.

Then, you get orders from some high-brand companies. Together with your portfolio and experience, your network and earnings will steadily grow. The faster you complete your projects, the better for you, and the faster your work will get in value.

How To Solve a Societal Problem? It’s a Great Journey!

However, what happens when you, for instance, decide to solve some societal problem instead? Let’s say when you want to improve the situation of single mothers in your country.

Let’s imagine that you spot the problem after a series of personal encounters with single mothers who tell you about their situation.

So, you do field research, reach out to more single mothers, and try to estimate how large the problem is. 

Then, if you have access to public funds, you might think of more systematic studies on this topic. 

Next, you launch some online activities to raise awareness of this topic: blogging, tweeting, and writing articles on Medium/LinkedIn. Thus you are working on your personal development.

You might also write a book after you analyzed the problem. So you try to find people who think alike, and who are interested in solving the same problem. 

You might present at conferences and meetups to bring more awareness to the issue. 

You might even get invited to speak about the problem in the government if you meet the right people on your way. Thus you are working on your professional development too.

Developing a Career As a Problem Solver Is The Greatest Adventure.

From this point on, you can develop in multiple directions. Perhaps, you create some (online) educational programs for single mothers.

Or, you collaborate with the official authorities to write a new bill offering new tax reductions, subsidies, or an extra budget for education. Or, perhaps, other people invite you to participate in their initiatives.

You might find yourself learning new skills every day, juggling ten different activities traditionally seen as separate professions within one year, taking detours and career moves that you would not be able to predict a few months or even a few weeks before.

Before every move, you need to think and evaluate whether, strategically, this move serves the ultimate purpose. Or, whether it will serve the purpose a few moves ahead. 

Is a Mission-Driven Path Suitable for Everyone?

For this type of job, you need to be a generalist. Namely, someone who easily crosses the boundaries between different environments, easily finds their way with people, quickly adapts, and can draw conclusions based on noisy or incomplete information. The number of mindful individuals who fit this profile is steadily increasing.

They usually have a difficult start though, as they need time to build the name. If you are a type of protagonist who is a problem-solver in some area, it will be difficult for you to get noticed among all the noise and all the empty projects burning the public money just to “raise awareness about a problem.” 

But sooner or later, you will make it – especially if you find soulmates in the space and build a mastermind group.  

Are You Unsure About How To Best Position Yourself in the Job Market?

Think about your career ahead! The job market is moving fast and it will soon be filled with those who can correctly predict trends, while those who can’t will be left in the dust, having learned a ton of information they didn’t need.

If you would like to receive intensive training oriented toward discovering your identity as a professional and learning effective strategies for landing great jobs and predicting the global trends in the job market, join us at our intensive online career transition workshops! Please find all the information and registration links HERE.

Are you an undergraduate student looking for a Master Program of the future? Please find a list of majors that guarantee good career perspective in our article “Top 13 Master Programs of The Future.”