"Pick a Square"

In a recent conversation with my friend Richard he told me something about his experience attaining Microsoft Certification. (This is no mean feat! Members of the serious computer community know that this is a real achievement not for the faint of heart.)

At some point in the training, the certification hopefuls were strongly advised to "pick a square." There are so many different areas in which one can specialize, and it is impossible to become an expert in anything if you spread yourself in too many directions.

We talked about my extensive career hunt and how I have been trying to "cover all the bases." His advice for me? "Pick a square."

That's a difficult thing for me to do! I have a lot of interests, and have developed some proficiency in many areas that are of interest to me. Of course, I have a few real strengths, but I don't like the notion of stuffing myself into one little square, (or box, or cubicle,) and not making use of my other strengths and interests. What was all that talk about lateral thinking a few years ago, and "thinking outside the box?"

I have narrowed my search down to working with people wherever information, education and technology converge. I've built myself a triangle, and I can move easily within it, balancing the three strengths or shifting slightly one way or another to meet the needs of the organization or clients.

Here's a secret for those faithful readers who follow this blog. Although the base triangle appears in my cover letters and resumes, I've actually gone three-dimensional and built a pyramid with music at the top. Shhhh...it's on a need-to-know basis!
;-)