Hindsight is 20/20; it’s difficult not to look back on previous experiences, and think about how you might have approached a situation differently. And as someone who spends a huge chunk of their waking hours working – whether it’s at my ‘traditional’ 9 to 5 job, or freelancing for my little corner of the internet, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately, on some of the career advice that I wish I’d had when I was just getting my start in the workforce.
I’ll admit, I’m still in the relatively early stages of my career; it was at the age of 21 that I got my very first corporate job – fresh out of university – and nine years later, my career path has had more twists and turns than I could ever have anticipated. While I’m still learning as I go, I wanted to share some of the career advice that I wish I’d had when I was in my early 20s…
Don’t underestimate the power of a mentor
Some of the most valuable relationships that I’ve made over the years have been with men and women who I’ve looked up to as mentors. They’ve been my managers, or leaders in my industry, who have inspired me to be more driven to achieve professional goals, or given me advice that I’ve truly found to be invaluable.
Don’t compare yourself to others
When I was in my mid-twenties, I found myself getting caught up in the titles that my friends had. We’d finished university at the same time, so surely that meant that our careers should progress along a similar path, right…? Wrong. Everyone’s journey is different, and while your friend might have a fancy title, just remember that you’re on a different path. Your experience is unique because it is your own, and there’s little value in feeling disheartened that a peer’s career is moving at a different rate to yours.
Know what you’re worth
Conversations about money can be awkward, especially when you’re trying to vie for a pay rise or a promotion at your current job. If I’ve learnt anything over the years, it’s that the worst thing people can say is ‘no’, and I believe it’s important to be firm, and know what your experience and skills are worth.
Money isn’t everything
On the flip side, I want to stress that money isn’t everything. When you’re first starting out in a professional role, it’s easy to get caught up with how much money you’re earning – especially if it’s a huge jump up from your take home pay working retail (part-time) as you finished up your university studies. I learnt this in my late 20s, after deciding to throw in a well paying administrative job to pursue a career that I felt truly passionate about. I took a more junior role, which came with a significant pay cut, but in the long run it was completely worth it – I found that I was excited to go to work every day, and I felt an immense sense of pride to be working at an incredible company, doing a job in a field I had been chasing for years.
Be open to feedback
I’m pretty honest about the fact that I can be a bit of a perfectionist – and I’m <strong>tough</strong> on myself if I don’t do something right. It’s part of the reason why I have always valued good feedback – constructive criticism on any work you do is only going to force you to strive higher, and thinking critically about how you approach your work, plus, it’s a major contributor to growth.
Do more of what makes you happy
This is probably the most important takeaway that I’ve learned over the last decade and the one piece of career advice I wish I’d had instilled in me much earlier on. Life is too short to find yourself in a job that doesn’t make you happy. Working at a company that aligns with your values, doing a role that fills you with a sense of purpose, is so much more rewarding than one which may have a great salary, but that you get little satisfaction from. Pursue your dreams, and everything else will follow.
Thank you so much for this article. I’m now in my early thirties having been in my career for 5 years (schooling and an internship prior to starting), but the lessons you shared will always remain true and are just important to remember.