The Milwaukee JobCamp this Thursday at Potawatomi's Conference Center will serve at least 1,000 people, a majority of whom are in an active search for a new position. However, there are compelling reasons why it's important for people who are currently employed need to be present that day.
The event is called a "day camp for your career" because we're bringing together some of the best subject matter experts in Milwaukee to help people think about the work they do (disclosure: I'm the organizer for the event along with about 150 volunteers from across southeastern Wisconsin). Work takes up so much of our lives, is there any good reason to not to afford it careful consideration whether we're in a job or not?
In difficult economic times, we do not always have the luxury of taking on work that is conducive to our long term career goals. You may have been forced to take temporary employment or even a full-time position that just pays the bills, in which case an event like the JobCamp could be a crucial place for you to go to remind yourself that the search for a new position is not over.
The old adage that it's easier to find a job when you have a job also applies. You may make important new contacts at JobCamp who will help you take your career to its next logical step--or maybe even an unexpected but more fulfilling step.
In any case, being open to new employment situations is something I always counsel job seekers to do. Your resume should always be up to date and you need to continue looking at and talking to people about new opportunities. Having a conversation with a potential new employer does not mean that you are going to leave your current job. In fact, it may confirm for you that you're in exactly the job that's right for you.
For too many individuals, the reactivation of one's professional network only occurs when you're in between jobs. That's unfortunate. It is far too tempting, especially when you take a job in a large company, to allow your active professional network to atrophy to the point where it's just the people inside your organization. True, those contacts can prove critical to your effectiveness, to getting a job done in a timely way. But what of all the people you used to know and work with at your last job? What of other professionals you met the last time you were in transition? Do they go by the wayside? A career management event like JobCamp, which doesn't necessarily trumpet that you're looking for a job is a nice way to stay connected to these individuals.
Networking often brings unseen benefits to your current employer in that you may learn new ideas and discover new resources that helps you to do your job in different or better ways.
Finally, and perhaps the most compelling reason for "the employed" to attend JobCamp is that those who are in an active search right now need hope. They need to see and hear from people who have recently landed a job, to know that their searches are not fruitless, that there are jobs out there. They also need to meet people who have kept their jobs to see that there are indeed stable companies out there that may have had to tighten their collective belts but are nonetheless keeping their employees. People who have kept their jobs are also important ambassadors to their companies and getting out to meet job seekers can mean winning new talent for your current employer. Plus, most employers offer some sort of incentive bonus if you are responsible for bringing in a new hire. Why not benefit from that.
The obvious excuse for not coming to the event is that you're working right now and simply cannot take the time off. That's why we're running the event from 11 am to 7 pm, though. Stop by over your lunch hour or after 5 pm. There is still an awful lot going on that day and I'm sure you'll get a lot out of it. Don't forget to bring along a non-perishable food item, too, that will go to the Hunger Task Force and feed needy families in the Milwaukee area.
I hope to see you there.
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