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Featured Article
From American Idol to Career Idol
April 23, 2004
A highlight of the 2003-2004 academic year occurred when
William Hung didn't make it as an American Idol. Who would have thought that
a Cal Civil Engineering student attending an open casting call would become
such a phenomenon?
Everyday we see students at the Career Center who are afraid to pursue the
career of their dreams. They compare themselves to everyone else at Cal, find
themselves to be inadequate, and give up before ever even trying. William,
on the other hand, not only tried and failed, but he went on to realize his
dream. William's new album is appropriately entitled "Inspiration"
and there are several important lessons to be learned from his story.
Lessons from a losing idol
- Take career risks --This is the time in your life to be taking
risks, especially when it comes to pursuing the career of your dreams. People
may roll their eyes at your naive innocence or dogged persistence, but other
people will recognize and reward these same traits that others find objectionable.
Taking career risks will only get harder as you get older and other demands
take precedence. Things like having a family, owning a house, and behaving
like a "grown-up" can force your dream job to the back burner.
It's important to take career risks and now is the time to do it.
- Believe in yourself -- A belief in yourself and your ability to
survive and thrive no matter what bumps you encounter in your career are
essential. The idea of a job that provides security is truly a thing of
the past. Everyone is subject to being "downsized" (a euphemism
for laid off), and jobs no longer come with lifetime guarantees. Coping
with uncertainty is simply part of the world of work. Therefore, the "security"
that people once sought from work now must be found from within.
- Failure has its own rewards -- Don't be afraid to fail. A fear
of failure can prevent you from ever taking that all important risk. No
matter how good you are, you're going to fail. It's just a fact of life.
When you do fail, comfort can be found in the fact that at least you tried.
Often in life when one option doesn't work out another opportunity will
present itself. As in William's case, a failed audition turned into a record
and more than 15 minutes of fame (or infamy).
Some people have complained that the whole William Hung / American Idol thing
is a joke, and people have had a good laugh at his expense. While William
may not be an American Idol, he is a Career Idol.
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