12 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Choosing My Career

Choosing your career should be a fun and exciting experience—said no one, ever. However, I believe that's exactly what it should be, especially for young professionals. For many years, we've been conditioned to believe that discovering meaning in our work is challenging at best and unattainable at worst, yet the reality might lie somewhere in between. As with most things in life, you get out of it what you put into it.

Today's graduates are facing economic volatility, the threat of artificial intelligence, and the emergence of entirely new industries long before they get their first meaningful job.

To all of the new grads, you should know your lack of work experience isn't exactly a liability; it's an asset. Your youth, exuberance, creativity and optimism mean that you are trainable, ambitious, and eager to prove yourself in a world that dismisses you as entitled and detached from reality. In short, you haven't been corrupted yet.

However, there are a few things you should know about the challenges ahead, so I've compiled a list of twelve pieces of career advice I wish I had known as a young professional.

1. Achieving career success is no guarantee of happiness:

   There will always be certain aspects of every profession that must be experienced firsthand to truly know if it's the right fit for you. Changes in technology, regulations, or other industry dynamics will likely mean that the career path you pursued in college may not resemble the same industry just ten, five, or even three years after graduation. Try to select a profession that best aligns with your core beliefs and provides a culture of growth and development.

   
   

2. You're not just choosing a career, you're choosing a lifestyle:

   Your future career will significantly impact everything from your social life and physical health to your living arrangements and work-life balance. Consult with those who have firsthand experience within the profession to ensure alignment between the actual job responsibilities, industry, culture, mission, and your professional goals.

   
   

3. You success will require a level of audacity:

   The loftier your goals, the greater the resistance, so be prepared to defend your strategy. Not everyone will be supportive of your career decisions, which means you may need to have some difficult conversations with those closest to you.

   
   

4. Hard work without a strategy is just wasted energy:

   When it comes to your career, there is no such thing as overplanning. The more options your strategy provides, the more opportunities you will have to make the next career move. Prepare now so that when the right opportunity presents itself, you will always be two steps ahead.

   
   

5. There’s a price for everything, no matter which career you choose:

   Your career selection affects not only you, but those closest to you. If your career choice is tied to your desire for wealth, prestige, or authority, other areas of your life may suffer, including your personal relationships, social life, and physical/emotional well-being. Know the trade-offs and choose wisely.

   
   

6. Don’t let others define your success:

   Call your own shots and make them happen. Your definition of success may differ from that of your friends, family, or colleagues, and that's okay. Understanding the correlation between your core values and career aspirations will help you prioritize which sacrifices you are willing to make to succeed, and which ones are off-limits.

   
   

7. Never push a bad position:

   Know when to step back and reevaluate your options. Don't shy away from professional challenges, as they typically provide some of the best (and most memorable) learning opportunities, but once your job becomes a liability, it may be time for a change. When in doubt, think Q.U.I.C.K.

   
   

8. Loyalty has an expiration date:

   Avoid staying with an organization out of loyalty. Most employers won't hesitate to replace you, so find an organization that will allow you to do your best work, advance your skillset, and grow professionally.

   
   

9. Contingency planning isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of preparedness:

   The foundation of the Blackfire Method of Career Management is predicated on two major principles: flexibility and contingency planning to maximize your career options. You must formulate a strategy that can withstand, flex, and conform to rapidly changing environments.

   
   

10. Be bold in your thinking but strategic in your approach:

    Being bold doesn’t mean being reckless; it means taking calculated risks. Do enough research so that what looks like a spontaneous career move to others will make perfect sense to you.

    
    

11. Perfect the art of resilience:

    Not everything in life is a big deal, so learn to disregard negativity and focus on what's important. Turn your setbacks into motivation, so you can emerge from the situation better than before. Your ability to challenge yourself and overcome adversity may be what separates you from your competition in the long run.

    
    

12. Growth is uncomfortable:

    Everyone claims they want growth until they actually experience it. It can be awkward, humbling, and even a little embarrassing at times, but that's the price of mastery. Just know that it's transforming you into the best possible version of yourself, so get comfortable being uncomfortable. Focus on incremental improvements and celebrate each milestone. Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection.

    
    

Final Thoughts on Beginning Your Career

Choosing your career should be a journey full of potential and limitless opportunities. The slate is clean, and you, as the creator, have the chance to demonstrate your capabilities to the world. This means ignoring the critics, charting your own course, and defining your own success.

Career management is a game of strategy, creativity and persistence, so learn the rules so you can redefine them. Be prepared for the setbacks, find the lessons, and keep moving forward so you can eventually reach your full potential. If you need help getting started contact me directly or another professional within the BDG network.

In life, there are great opportunities, and there are opportunities to do great things. One may serve your immediate needs, but the other will serve a higher purpose and lead to greater career fulfillment. Life is short, so do what you love, manage the risk, and embrace the results.