If you could give advice to your 20 year old self about careers what would it be?

Question

I would tell myself to push through the negative and always look for the positive. To keep her head up and know that she’ll get that job and it’s okay if she doesn’t know what it is yet

Anonymous · Answer

I would tell myself to not feel so pressured about my career so early o: travel more, stress less, enjoy myself. I would also tell myself to be more open to change and to explore more opportunities and try things out. Sometimes we think we know what we want, but it's not what we want at all!

Helen Hanison · Answer

I would say this.  Stop striving for what you think you want. Take a minute to become the architect of your choices first.  My own early ambitions were guided by my appetite for the career success I thought defined me. I didn't understand until much later that my motivations needed to come from within me.  And that was also who mattered more - my self.  My advice to shortcut the traumatic identity-reconstruction experienced to differing degrees when I was made redundant, became a mother, moved countries... is this. Sharpen your focus on your inner compass. Work to understand what values are most self-central for you. But don’t get stuck in the territory of thinking deeply - that will only take you so far. It's why, despite being an executive coach, I will not join others in saying 'find' your passion.  When you feel more self-expert but notice you feel stuck again, the key is to do some experimenting with how best to express that value set so you are actively striving to do work you love and live the life you want.  It's an agile career mindset that will serve you better than defining as a 21 year old what you will work towards in your next several decades, if it's not built first around this pivotal values piece.  And gives you permission to respond to what you notice as you along ever after - what feels just right, what needs a tweak to emphasise a specific area that lights you up.  I call it the Test and Tweak.  But if you read Marti Konstant's wonderful book you'll see she talks to Agile Careers. I end wanting to wish you luck. But that's a bit passive given my firm belief that you're in charge here! So instead I say, enjoy driving towards what makes you feel alive and aligned... Warmly, Helen

Jenny Travens · Answer

Follow your passion. You are more likely to get your dream job!

Deanna Cabrillas · Answer

I would tell myself to follow my dream of writing and not give up, no matter how difficult. I allowed myself to get so sidetracked and tied up with the every day grind that I lost track of what was important.

HILYEDUCATED · Answer

Like the Cher states,' If I could go back in time', I would tell myself at 20yrs old,  1) you are smart,  2) go with your gut first 3) don't be afraid to ask any questions regardless of the relationship with supervisor,      it will show more positive on your side than theirs.   4) be friendly with everyone,  5)  most importantly, stay out of office politics!

Crystal Rhineberger · Answer

Get yourself into that jewelry career sooner!

Heather Neal · Answer

Trust yourself and be thankful now for what's coming tomorrow.

Katie Malone · Answer

Learn as much as possible. Don’t just stick to what you know... Challenge your managers in every capacity to TEACH you & grow you. If the job feels stifling or the situation feels toxic — get out!! (Had some pretty toxic bosses in the past) You have soo much more potential than you realize!

Lady Pele · Answer

I would teach my younger self how to be not only tactful, but to seriously think before speaking.  A stanza from 'A Fool's Prayer' by Edward Rowland Sill says:

'The ill-timed truth we might have kept—	
  Who knows how sharp it pierced and stung?	 
The word we had not sense to say—	 
  Who knows how grandly it had rung?'

If you could give advice to your 20 year old self about careers what would it be?

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