May 5, 2008...12:26 am
The Millennial’s Career Path
Some companies have given up on hiring young millenials because of the misguided stereotypes they’ve developed from a few bad apples (damn quitters). I can’t speak for everyone that falls into my generation, but I believe my thoughts do shed some light into our mindset.
- I’ve seen my father dedicate his entire career to one company. His frustrations and anxiety come layoff periods have made me think twice about the “loyalty” companies actually give their employees. I have friends with very bitter parents that got handed the pink slip and shown the door. The bottom line comes before us, we have childhood memories based on that fact.
- Life is short. We’ve made that realization as well. We’re not going to slave away our entire career in something that doesn’t give us a sense of worth. We’ve seen planes fly into buildings and have found cancer slipping into younger generations. We want to control our life and our happiness as much as we can. The secret to a great life is not corporate America.
Not all companies are going to figure us out. Some are trying, but not totally hitting it. I give them an E for effort. Basically, it’s up to you to figure out what you want and to get it yourself. Here are some things I’ve learned that I think is crucial to taking full advantage of your career path in the corporate world… ’cause not all companies are Google.
1. It’s a Winding Road to your Dream Job
The problem with our educational path was that everything was pretty straight forward. Once we chose our field of study, we knew what to expect. The corporate ladder isn’t straight anymore. Working in a matrix organization the career path is going to be up, down, and horizontal based on the decisions you make and the opportunities that you see.
2. You Control Your Own Professional Development
Will Kent left this comment on a previous article - “Some of the most successful people I know since I’ve graduated have worked themselves into positions where their companies depend on them. Companies primarily offer jobs to fulfil a known need - it’s up to individuals to fulfil a need the company didn’t even know they had.”
Continually think of your career path - what skills do you want to develop? Getting your MBA (not completely necessary) and specific training is all up to you. Since I’ve started I’ve requested to take three training courses I thought would help improve my SME. Bill approved one, said not yet to another, and threw in two leadership conferences I didn’t even know existed within the company.
3. If There’s No Future In Sight - Get Out!!
I had a friend who started out in a tough situation. Her manager was terrible and the account she was assigned was in shambles. This was her very first deployment, she wanted to prove herself and stuck with it as much as she could. She worked hard. Still, as time progressed she could tell there was no future for her development. She got out of there. Two months later the account folded and all the employees found themselves on the bench. She made the right decision.
There are plenty of opportunities all around you. Why settle for one that is not going to get you anywhere? No job is perfect, but you’ll know when you’re in a position that is cancer to your career.
Before you “get out” keep this in mind:
” [When] frustration builds and builds people generally do something stupid - they quit. Don’t do that. It is much, much easier to get a job from a job. I would even go further and say, not only should you stay put, you should work harder. Nothing will get you a new job faster than a terrific performance in your old one.” - Jack Welch, Winning
4. Stay in Touch
Speaking with senior consultants has really helped me see the importance of contacts. Their career path has been so succesful as a result of knowing “someone” along the way. They regularly tapped into their network and always helped out when they could. Those actions have really paid off in the long run.
5. Focus on Performance
“Great performers are like the masts of the tall ships. We can see them over the horizon, and we are always trying to bring them in - to our port.” - Gerry Roche, senior chairman of Heidrick and Struggles.
This is advice from one of the most respected headhunters in the U.S. You’re not going anywhere if you don’t perform. So work hard, promote yourself in a tactful manner, and keep striving for that dream job - if it’s in this company or another.
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