1. Career Coaching for Creative People Robyn McKay, MA University Career Center University of Kansas

2. Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will. –George Bernard Shaw Irish dramatist & socialist (1856 - 1950) George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw

3. Career Challenges Multipotentialitiy Multipotentialitiy –What do you do when you can do anything? Financial Concerns and Family Support Financial Concerns and Family Support –You can’t make any money doing that! –“Why can’t you be an accountant like Uncle Ed?” Unclear career paths Unclear career paths –What do you do if you don’t want to be an accountant?

4. The Creative Personality: A Paradox

5. Characteristics of the Creative Personality Has a great deal of physical energy yet are often quiet and at rest Has a great deal of physical energy yet are often quiet and at rest Smart and naïve Smart and naïve Playful and undisciplined yet hard working and responsible Playful and undisciplined yet hard working and responsible

6. Characteristics of the Creative Personality Can alternate between imagination and a concrete sense of reality Can alternate between imagination and a concrete sense of reality Tendencies toward both introversion and extroversion Tendencies toward both introversion and extroversion Humble yet very proud of their achievements Humble yet very proud of their achievements

7. Androgynous: Do not fall into the typical “masculine” and “feminine” gender stereotypes Androgynous: Do not fall into the typical “masculine” and “feminine” gender stereotypes Rebellious and independent but also abide by the rules and conventions of the culture and the domain Rebellious and independent but also abide by the rules and conventions of the culture and the domain Passionate about their work yet remain surprisingly objective Passionate about their work yet remain surprisingly objective Creativity causes them to experience pain and suffering as well as enjoyment Creativity causes them to experience pain and suffering as well as enjoyment Characteristics of the Creative Personality

8. Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love. –David McCullough US biographer & historian (1933 - ) David McCulloughDavid McCullough

9. Eat Sushi… and other stuff you can do to find your career path

10. “Do stuff” that feeds your creative spirit – even if it’s not directly related to your career “Do stuff” that feeds your creative spirit – even if it’s not directly related to your career Pay attention to chance encounters and serendipitous moments Pay attention to chance encounters and serendipitous moments Imagine what your future workplace might look like Imagine what your future workplace might look like Picture yourself doing the kind of work you are considering Picture yourself doing the kind of work you are considering

11. Set short, middle, and long-term career goals Set short, middle, and long-term career goals Identify your Roadblocks and your Biggest Fans Identify your Roadblocks and your Biggest Fans Identify mentors in your field Identify mentors in your field –There are people who make a living with their art

12. Visit a career coach who works with creative people to learn about Visit a career coach who works with creative people to learn about –Your personality –Your interests and values –Your flow

13. Coaching Creative People Personality needs Personality needs –Are you a risk-taker? Do you value your independence? Your vocational interests Your vocational interests Your most deeply held values Your most deeply held values Your personal strengths Your personal strengths Find your flow Find your flow Envision your future perfect work day Envision your future perfect work day

14. Contact Robyn McKay, MA Psychology Intern 785.842.2277 University of Kansas Counseling and Psychological Services University Career Center

15. References Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996). Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention. Kerr, B. A. & McKay, R. A. (in preparation). Career coaching for creative people. Kerr, B. A. & McKay, R. A. (in preparation). Career coaching for creative people.