When Sean Aiken took to the stage for a special showing of his documentary, he had a simple, yet evocative message: go out and get a job and follow your passion.
The film, One Week Job, detailed Aiken’s experience of holding 52 jobs in a one-year period in order to determine the passion he would follow for the rest of his life.
The film, and the question and answer period that followed, clearly struck a chord with the over 400 people who crowded into the Parksville Community and Conference Centre Wednesday night.
Oceanside Carreer Centre employment consultant Diana Jolly said the response to Aiken’s message was heartening.
“We received wonderful feedback about the event and how inspiring he was,” Jolly said. “He was a breath of fresh air.”
When asked by a young member of the audience for advice about entering the workforce, Aiken’s answer was direct.
“He said, go out there and get a job,” Jolly said. “Go out there and try something.”
By doing so, he continued, you get a chance to learn what you like to do and what you don’t like to do. You get momentum and add to your resume.
“His whole project was to go and try out jobs,” Jolly said. “He wanted to see if it was a good fit for him.”
The key, Aiken said, was not to ask what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go do it, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
Aiken’s message is clearly recognized as important, as he is slated to speak at several influential events. The event was co-sponsored by the Coastal Community Credit Union.