I chose to conduct a narrative interview with my dad, John Kairuz – an individual who works professionally in a way that is relevant to my future. And though my father’s position as the Head of People and Culture in field of Human Resources at his company doesn’t connect directly to my future as a Graphic Designer. The way my father conducts himself in a professional setting is something I idolise and strive for. He has worked in the Human Resources industry for the last 25 years. It was a combination of formal education, self-education, mentor relationships and coaches aswell as Christian missionary work in the Philippines that has lead him to where and who he is today.
When writing questions for my dad, I did feel a bit awkward in interviewing someone I talk to everyday. I ask him “how was your day?”, and he gives me a very summarised run down of his day in the office, or if he’s flying interstate he gives me a quick run down. But this was my chance to sit down and ask my dad in-depth about his career. I’ve always admired my dad and his work in his office, in fact before i started kindy, I used to accompany my dad to work every so often and colour in his office in the city while he did his work. I’ve always looked up to his work ethic. So I tired to put my relationship to my interviewee aside and just carry a narrative interview as seamlessly as I had seen done in the workshops weekly.
My dad said through time he has found that his elders had tended to have more experience thus providing him with more knowledge. But he said it’s funny now that he’s gotten older, he has learnt more from his younger peers. This stuck with me as it taught me that nothing can ever be assumed. My father through his experience has learnt to learn from others, from all ages, all backgrounds. So, I myself can learn from his narrative to never assume I know someones level of expertise or knowledge when I step into the professional world. But to be a sponge for good advice and valuable knowledge.
“The greatest element of communication is active listening and what I mean by that, is to make it your purpose to listen as to understand opposed to focusing on what is in your own agenda or mind.”
He feels as now he is in the final chapter of his career, where as I am at the beginning of my journey. Which is an interesting perspective to be in, at our two stages of life. Getting to act as an outsider witness to stories that occur through my dad’s workplace and through his eyes shows me another side of him yet allows me to know him at a deeper level. In hearing from my fellow classmates, I heard through conducting our interviews we were able to gain a greater appreciation for the people we interviewed that we thought we knew well.
“Good service can never be extracted it can only be volunteered”.
This became a topic of discussion in my class because the statement is so true. (also the fact that my dad is a veryquotable man 🤣) We have to be good people in the work force, we have to project what we hope to get back. And that comes with everyday life too. We are influenced by the people around us, but also by our own actions and relationships with others.
I asked him to leave me with one piece of advice for someone leaving university and stepping into their life long professional journey, he said “It’s not what happens to you that matters it’s what you do about it” He said he has personally gone through the mountaintops and gone through the deepest valleys. But this phrase has stuck to him because you believe WE can be better if we make it out choice. It is important to accept out disappointments, not deny them, but learn from them and use them in thinking what to do next because experience is the best teacher. And what comes after this, its always your choice.
My dad has always taught me the value of respecting peers, and maintaining workplace relationships. He has taught me to never burn a bridge, for you never know when you may need to cross it. Networking and Leadership are skills my dad flourishes use of in his proffessional career, and it isnt until I presented to my class, that I myself realised the power and also talent it takes to hold such skills. BCM313 and this interview process has taught me, the skills you need for success in the future of work, aren’t always the obvious choices. It takes special soft and hard skills as well as respect and compassion to do you best in any professional field. It’s the self-driven goal seeking and respect for relationship and the environment we’re in that’ll take us quiet far.
References
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