find more about careers @

As Barbara has mentioned in her book, one should go to various places to find out more about careers and jobs that may be suitable (and open) for the Scanners.

In the past also I had thought on similar lines, but it wasn't exactly for finding opportunities but purely as a fun involving creativity: wanted to record conversations, take photographs/videos that can showcase current trends in various issues including fashion,jobs,opportunities,new fields,new lifestyles,work practices etc.

What one can do is to disguise to find more about careers,jobs; ways of life/work by visiting:

1. Bars/pubs- by far the best places to find young people discussing fashions,new academic programs,girls,companies,latest in computers,blogs,etc.

You will also find there different people at different times: during non-peak hours you will find government/municipal employees enjoying drinks during their working hours and that too probably at the cost of some contractor,supplier or agent.What you can learn from them is which postings are hot (moneywise) and carry weight.

In afternoons, at lunch time, you will find company managers treating their clients ( and at the same time they themselves spiriting their spirit with spirits).You will also find employees from IT & ITES firms frequenting bars/pubs and if you are attentive enough you will notice end of a shift in some BPO/call centre.Families visit bars & restaurants mostly in evening and their conversation would most probably be boring.

2. Schools- are the places where you can survey profile of the parents;however, in India, where competition is so stiff, don't expect any help from them too early. You will need to go the school regularly for acquaintances.

3. PTA (Parent Teachers Association) of the school- one can join in PTA for active work and chances are good that other parents may help you with a suitable information if you are a PTA member (on panel of PTA).

4. Visit workplaces- one can visit workplaces of your friends to make acquaintances and networking; this is a sure way of getting more information on current openings; as a dessert you can win a girlfriend there at friend's workplace.

5. Garden/jogging parks- agian this is a great place to frequent where you will get to know people in different age-groups.You need to find an elderly looking vice-president of a company and then offer him lot of services (commonly called buttering)before he will think of offering you a job.

There could be many more places that can be visited which I would like to hear from readers.

Prashant Koli