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Susan H. Gubing
My passion for career planning and workforce
development stems from my early childhood fascination with the occupations
of people who surrounded me. Reading books such as the Nancy Drew novels
and biographies caught my interest because of people’s roles in society.
Even my Halloween costumes tended to be occupation related.
Although I can attest that my entrepreneurial
parents played a big role in how I approached the world, it was more my
inherent industrial curiosity that led me in the direction of my life’s
work. Setting up lemonade stands, selling newspapers door-to-door, and
observing my mom and dad working diligently into the night hours all
molded my future career path.
My educational route to earn my degrees to
teach business education and career counseling was influenced by my
natural interest in high school business courses and my varied work
experiences for a New York City temporary employment agency, which allowed
me to try out various careers during college breaks.
At the age of twenty-one, I found myself at
the doorstep of the teaching career I would embrace for thirty-eight years
at the Smithtown Central School District in New York State. The door of
opportunity opened for me to teach the foundations of business and to
place students into entry-level positions. During these years, I found
that I needed a system to help young people to make the appropriate career
choices. The system was right in front of my eyes—the games I played as
a child led me to my career passion. I knew this concept could lead my
students to their ideal careers as well.
Eventually, a number of principles formed the
foundation of my games to careers theory, which I now refer to as Career
DNA (Dynamic Natural Abilities). Career DNA is comprised of several
aspects to a person’s career potential, namely their authentic interests,
aptitudes, work preferences, personality traits, learning styles, multiple
intelligences, and values.
Using this formula, I have assisted—and
continue to assist—tens of thousands of students and professionals in
making wise, timely career choices. Like baseball players stepping up to
the plate with expert batting knowledge, my clients have their Career DNA
and are ready to swing the bat for home run career choices.
Comprehending my own Career DNA has
allowed me to transition from one playing field to another. My consulting
firm, CareerSmarts, continually illuminates new entrepreneurial
horizons—both for me and for my clients. As a career consultant, I am now
able to share my expertise with many educators at the postsecondary level.
Speaking at conferences, assisting schools in establishing career planning
programs, providing individual counseling, and sharing the Games2Careers
book with the world has certainly fulfilled my greatest career
passion—helping others to realize their career goals.
I suppose I will
always be that enterprising girl who once sold lemonade from a
stand—except now, I am selling career wisdom by the cupful!
—Susan H.
Gubing
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