My career is working with emerging technologies, my passion is proving that women can do anything they put their mind to. Whether your mission is to be at home raising the kids full-time, working full-time, starting your own business, or some combination of all of these things, conquering the world takes a solid support system. I have been fortunate throughout my career to have found and attached myself to some pretty powerful mentors. They have helped me through career transitions, life changes, self doubt, and kicked me in the pants when I needed it most. As an executive in a fast growing mobile technology firm I now find myself in the position of influencing others, which is a huge responsibility. I have started a group specifically for the women in my company to provide a source of mentorship, education, and support as they too travel professional and personal roads that I have traveled. These are amazing women at all stages in their life. I am sharing my experiences and lessons learned but I'd like to enlist the wisdom from my powerhouse female network and share some of your perspectives with the group. My question is simple - based on what you know now, what career & life advice would you give your 25 year old self? I'd ask that you respond with 3 pieces of advice that I can share with the women at Solstice Mobile. You can add your thoughts in the blog comments below. I will be consolidating responses and presenting it at our March 21st meeting. In exchange for your time & feedback, I'd also be happy to share a copy of the consolidated responses with you.
Thank you for your time and for helping me make a difference.
-Kelly
kmanthey@solstice-mobile.com
kmanthey@solstice-mobile.com
14 comments:
The three top things I wish I could have told my 25 year old self
1. Don't just take a "job" because its offered and you need the income- This is your career, your life, and the choices you make now will affect what your life looks like at 45. Be strategic, plan, it's OK to interview back, CHOOSE where you want to build your career. Plan where you want to be and then make choices and seek out roles that will build you a strong base to get you where you want to go. I didn't do this, and while my career did blossom phenomenally, it definitely delayed, and I wish some decisions I made at 35, I had made at 25.
2. You don't always need to be "right". It doesn't matter who gets the credit if the end result is in align with your goals and values and that of the organization. Those who matter will notice. Learn to work collaboratively, work inclusively, work with people not against them, compromise for win / win solutions, ensure everyone that is affected is heard and has a voice, and always, no matter how you get to the outcome - remember to share the credit.
3. Surround yourself with people who are much smarter than you, and much more experienced than you. There is so much to learn. Appreciate the mentor relationships, appreciate your mentors. If you are the most experienced and smartest one in the room - you are in the wrong room! Always keep learning.
The three top things I wish I could have told my 25 year old self
1. Don't just take a "job" because its offered and you need the income- This is your career, your life, and the choices you make now will affect what your life looks like at 45. Be strategic, plan, it's OK to interview back, CHOOSE where you want to build your career. Plan where you want to be and then make choices and seek out roles that will build you a strong base to get you where you want to go. I didn't do this, and while my career did blossom phenomenally, it definitely delayed, and I wish some decisions I made at 35, I had made at 25.
2. You don't always need to be "right". It doesn't matter who gets the credit if the end result is in align with your goals and values and that of the organization. Those who matter will notice. Learn to work collaboratively, work inclusively, work with people not against them, compromise for win / win solutions, ensure everyone that is affected is heard and has a voice, and always, no matter how you get to the outcome - remember to share the credit.
3. Surround yourself with people who are much smarter than you, and much more experienced than you. There is so much to learn. Appreciate the mentor relationships, appreciate your mentors. If you are the most experienced and smartest one in the room - you are in the wrong room! Always keep learning.
3 things for my 25-year-old self:
1. You are the one responsible for yourself – not your parents, your spouse, your significant other or anyone else. You will get help along the way, but you ultimately are responsible for how your life turns out. Figure out what you want out of life and set your plan into place. And stick to it, no matter how rough it gets. The rough patches are what strengthens you and makes you grow as a person.
2. Don’t think retirement is far, far away. Start saving money now for that time. Your life goes much faster than you could ever anticipate and you don’t want to be 45 and suddenly realize you don’t really have any savings.
3. Enjoy the moment you are in – that vacation you keep thinking about 5 months down the road will be here before you know it and you will have missed 5 months of the little things that matter. There are many more of the little moments in life that make the best memories than any number of vacations you take. I think the saying is “Life is not about the number of breaths you take, but the number of moments that take your breath away.” Just breathe it all in and enjoy life. Stress doesn’t help anyone.
Don't worry about job titles, focus on doing challenging & rewarding work....Learn how to tell a good story...Start a 401k...Find a smart, woman mentor and never let go...Always look for ways to contribute (professionally and personally)
3 things for my 25-year-old self:
1. Every choice has a price. What you have to decide is, is the price worth the outcome. If it is, go for it. If not, look for an alternative.
2. Determine your career based upon what you love not how much money you can make. Success and happiness will come when you love what you do because you will do it well.
3. Focus on your strengths and surround yourself with people who are strong where you are not. Don’t consider these people to be a threat but instead embrace the learning and growth opportunity before you.
The (3) things I would tell my 25 yr old self ---
1. Invest in your craft. Be a sponge and spend as much time learning, doing, observing and sharing. Sometimes you can be in such a rush to get to that next level that you take short cuts. Spending the extra time pays off in the long run.
2. Trust your instincts. Learning to listen to that voice and truly believing that it has your best interests at heart pays huge dividends in the long and short run.
3. Put yourself out there. It's ok to go beyond the intended path. Explore because then you can find what you truly love and not just what you may be good at.
Naomi.....
1) Follow your passion, but don't confuse passion and emotion. Passion and conviction can bolster you, emotion can derail you.
2) Recognize that executives are people too. They have similar emotions, challenges and inhibitions. The difference is that they were not to afraid to put ideas forward and take the chance at a failure.
3) "It's a small world" is not a cliche'. The work relationships you are building today are and will be your network as you move forward in your career. Inevitably that network will come in handy. Treat is well, nurture it.
Don't be afraid to call on it, when times come.
The three top things I wish I could have told my 25 year old self:
1. Build solid relationships. The relationships that you build as you start your career will be there as you grow your career. It is important also to treat people as you want to be treated.
2. Never stop learning. This may include attending networking events, reading blogs, reading books, attending training, or meeting with a mentor. Focus your training across three categories: Technical, Business, and Softskills (Leadership, Communication, etc).
3. Don't be afraid to make mistakes! When you make mistakes, you learn the most. At the same time, you also need to know when to ask for help.
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