Accessing My Allies
The ‘three spheres of life’ are your work, your leisure (or personal life) and your education. Using the diagram on the next page, identify those people currently in your life who you would consider to be an ally as you continue to consider your future career moves. In each of the three spheres, write the actual names of people that you know you can count on for support. After their names, briefly list what kind of support you can expect from them: work/education information, contacts, emotional support, financial support, advice, feedback, instruction/tutoring, coaching, mentoring, sponsorship, work experience, job shadowing, or any other source of assistance you can think of.
Examples:
· A co-worker may know all the best business programs that would be useful for you to take. That person goes in your Education sphere.· Your son's hockey coach belongs to the same community organization as an Executive Director you would like to meet and has agreed to make the connection for you. That person goes in your Work sphere.
· Your family has no problem with you taking a one-year secondment in another town because it's a job you really love. That's family support and it goes in your Leisure sphere.
While no one person can give you everything you need, one person can give you a number of different kinds of support. If you have people in your life that give you support on a number of fronts, include them in all of the spheres that apply.
Example:
· A former boss still has a lot of contacts in the field and is willing to put in a good word for you (Work). She has become a consultant offering professional development courses in health services administration, some of which would position you well for your next career move (Education). She is a long-standing friend and your weekly fitness classes allow you to bounce ideas off her and keep you encouraged (Leisure).Nova Scotia Public Service Commission / 1