Lynn Behr developing as a knowledgeworker

When coming up with a topic for my final project I wanted it to be a combination of my natural talents, those I can easily identify and feel comfortable with and my inner talents, those that I enjoy doing but haven’t quite developed into a sharpened skill. Po Bronson refers to finding ones inner self. When reviewing my talent inventory I looked at what I got paid to do and what I liked to do. By trade I’m an accountant so I am detail oriented and have the ability to not only prepare a budget, but maintain that budget as well. My favorite thing to do when I’m not working is traveling. At first glance, a look at my inner self would point me in the direction of becoming a travel agent or a travel coordinator. However one major obstacle in my way which isn’t reveled on my talent inventory is my love for money. Maybe love isn’t quite the right word but I have this thought process which leads me to believe at certain stages in your life you should be making a certain salary. Unfortunately, travel agents and travel coordinators do not fall into that anticipated salary range.

My final project is throwing all money thoughts aside. What I did was put together a portfolio of pictures and tidbits that I actually had started this spring when I went on my annual trip to Mexico. As this year I was lucky enough to travel with seven other members of my extended family, I thought it would be nice to organize something for them as more than half the group had never been there before. This I thought is what I’d do if money were no object.

Instead of simply attaching my file pages, I thought I’d give a brief summary of each so that you can better understand my thought process.

1. Talent inventory- a listing of things I do well for work and a listing of what I do in my personal life.
2. Budget- I like to prepare a budget for my travelers so they know what to expect. This year I had a huge age gap- from students to retirees, and as some of the members save all year to take a vacation I don’t want them to have any surprises.
3. Pictures- It’s always nice to let them know where they will be hanging their head.
4. Itinerary- I guess it’s the accountant in me. I’m detail oriented and feel that with a large group, if you don’t have a plan it will take most of the day to come up with one.
5. Price comparison- There’s always a skeptic in the crowd so I like to do a search for a similar travel package on one of the major travel search engines such as Expedia or Orbitz so that they know how much they’d have to pay a real travel agent.
6. Money conversion- for your shopping ease and enjoyment.
7. Packing tips- a list of things I’ve learned through my visits there, which I thought would be helpful to the group.