Professional Geekery

Promoting Professional Geekery #22: Talk To The Parents

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If you're a progeek of any kind, it's likely that your parents kind of were worried about your career goals – if they even understand them.  If you were one of the people who had supportive parents who got your goals, you're quite fortunate – I think a changing world and economy makes the generation gaps worse at times.

So right now there's a lot of young future progeeks out there and maybe their parents need to know their children are on the right track, aren't going to starve, and can get some mentorship.  It's time for them to see professional geekery in action so they're fine with their little geeks growing up to make money at what they love.

That, by the way, is where you come in.  If you want to promote the fan-to-pro life, it's time to help out parents so they can guide their kids, not panic, or realize they may be doing things right.

  • If you have your own kids, well, hey, do a good job.  Nothing like being a role-model.
  • Help out your friends and family with children.  Be accessible to them for questions, offer to help with career advice, and don't be afraid to mention your success.  Be a resource.  Oh, and on Christmas and Birthday's remember those books, memberships, and programs that can be useful career tools to give a hint . . .
  • Do events at conventions.  I myself have experimented with a "for parents" event (that is still in revision) to help them "get" what their kids are up to.  If you do, say, anime or game conventions, there's probably a few parents needing something to do- captive audience.  Bring donuts.
  • Write.  Yes, you can blog like me, but also there might just be a book in it, a column, a post at a website, etc.  If you think you have the chops to help parents with their future progeeks, seek out the opportunity to share their wisdom.  Heck, talk to us here.
  • Get involved in education.  Your local schools, clubs, and more would probably love to have a professional come in and speak to kids and parents.  Also, you're probably free.
  • Share the resources.  There are books, websites, and more that are good career guides.  Get them out there.

Help out the next generation – by helping this generation see progeekery is a realistic goal and nothing to panic over.

Plus, if you have kids of your own,a  chance you'll land some babysitting partners . . . 

– Steven Savage

 

Promoting Professional Geekery #21: Start A Geeky Group At Work

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Your work place may be the geekiest thing ever or it may be so straight-laced people fear there's going to be an office comedy made of it.  No matter what, it's a great place to form a geeky group – and a great way to support professional geekery.

Think of all the things you can do at work that bands people together for geeky interests, or just band geeks together.  A gaming group, a group for programming arduinos, an anime viewing group, what have you.  Why not found one – you and all your fellow employees may enjoy it.

It's also a great way to support professional geekery.  Yes it may be fun and relaxing, but it's also a huge professional advantage:

  • It lets you meet your fellow geeks at work – which lets you band together to work on your careers as well.
  • It makes people at work aware of the geeky contingent there – and shows them in a good light (well, hopefully).
  • It gives people away to meet the professional geeks at work and get to know them.  You might find a few unrealized professional geeks there.
  • It raises your profile at work by being so involved in bringing people together.
  • It shows off your skills and interests, which might open opportunities for you to apply them.
  • It helps promote other geeky interests at work – who knows what will emerge next from the fertile mind of your fellow progeeks?

There's really no downside as long as you do it right. 

– Steven Savage