Extra-curricular activities, those after-school-hours activities in areas such as music, dance, art, speech and drama, and athletics allow us to develop other skills and to identify other areas of talent that we may have. There are many examples of persons who have made a career using talents and skills they discovered and developed in extra-curricular activities, and these are not restricted to careers in the arts.

We also discover these while working for organisations and being good citizens. While on the job and as members of churches and social clubs, persons also develop other skills and talents that can serve them well in seeking unconventional work.

For example, we can develop event-planning, problem-solving, decision-making, interpersonal, presentation, information technology, research and leadership skills that we can repackage to earn an income from in an unconventional way.

As we go through this time of economic depression, perhaps it may be time for you to seek unconventional work also. To guide you in this endeavour, consider the answers to these questions:

What skills or talents did I discover that I have during class or extra-curricular activities at an educational institution?

What skills and competencies did I gain while working at my previous job?

How can I further develop and use these skills or talents to earn an income outside the traditional organisational setting?

What organisations or individuals will I approach to 'sell' my talents/skills? Why will that organisation or individual need my talents/skills?

What resources or help will I need to do this, and where can I get these resources or the help I need?

As a guide:

Seek persons and organisations in sectors that are relatively recession proof such as restaurants and food establishments, some educational institutions, the health sector and the tourism and entertainment industries. For example, if you are good at cooking or baking, you may be able to sell a particular item to a school which can be sold to students in the canteen, or at a specific school event. Also, if you are good at sewing, perhaps you can offer your services to make uniform or costume adjustments and amendments for business and entertainment groups.

Seek to provide a one-off service or to complete a short-term contract or project. For example, if you are good at filing, a small or medium-size company may be willing to pay you to reorganise their filing system, a task that may take a week or two.

Patricia Grant-Kitson is a human-resource management and training consultant. Email patriciaktsn@yahoo.com.

George Rodney, a painter who believes in giving life to his visions. - Contributed

patriciaktsn@yahoo.com