Here is an excerpt from the Cape Courier, a local town paper in which I debuted my first entry for Ask Your Career Coach.
Hey Cape Courier readers! I’m Holly Smevog, Cape Elizabeth resident since 2000 and your friendly neighborhood Career Coach. I have a knack for helping people manage life’s career journey thanks to years of coaching and my own diverse work history from sunny Silicon Valley and the tech corridor in Virginia to the lovely shores of Maine. I help you fi nd your vocational sweet spot or fi nd solutions to tricky situations. Let’s make your career adventure a bit more fun! Buckle up for expert advice and practical wisdom served with a dash of humor. Career Coach is here to tackle job puzzles, career crossroads and anything else in life’s planning playbook. Ask about current work, future dreams or even how to handle the offi ce coff ee machine—we’re covering it all. Shoot your questions to careercoach@capecourier. com. I am ready when you are. Cheers! Read the fi rst Career Coach Column:
Q: Dear Career Coach, I work for a tech startup where employees are allowed to bring their pets to the office. I am not a big animal lover and sometimes it feels like a zoo. It is kind of aggravating. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Furry Distractions
A. Dear Furry Distractions,
Navigating a workplace with pets can be challenging and not for everyone. I get that! First, consider creating a designated quiet workspace in the offi ce to minimize interruptions. If that’s not possible, can you negotiate for such a space? Second, if your relationships are strong, open up communication with your petowning colleagues. Are there boundaries that make sense? Share your needs, when you need focused work time, and maybe together you can fi nd solutions to manage the offi ce pets. Additionally, noisecanceling headphones might provide some temporary focus for you. On another note, many companies are adopting hybrid work models. While I don’t suggest avoiding the issue, exploring the possibility of working from home a few days a week might be worth considering. Last, your workplace sounds fun and unique- are there ways you take advantage of this? Perhaps bringing a low-maintenance pet, like a fi sh, would make you feel better and provide entertainment. Finding a balance between productivity and the fun atmosphere, and also keeping your cool, will help you thrive in this creative environment.
Best,
Career Coach