8 Powerful Career Lessons They Should’ve Handed Out On Graduation Day

Written by Shamelle - 14 Comments
Categories: career, communication, philosophy, productivity tips, self education, self improvement, success

Image courtesy of Rosswell86

It has been 7 years since my graduation day and I still remember the excitement; I was relieved that the ”exam phase” of my life was over; I looked with enthusiam towards my first job. Little did I know that the “working world” would require an extraodinary effort and loads of other skills!

My journey on the career ladder would have been smoother, had I known a few important lessons. While there are many ”on the job” lessons, some things in life must be experienced, to be truly understood. What follows are 8 such career lessons, I wish they’d handed out to me along with my diploma.

1. Your career is not your life. Many of us rely heavily on our careers for satisfaction in our lives. We get immersed in the day-to-day rush of our work and discover that we no longer have the time, energy or inspiration.
For some people (my former self included), it’s as if our jobs are part of our bodies, and if we don’t see ourselves as successful in them, we feel almost physically unhealthy. As a result, we question ourselves when things aren’t going in the direction we hoped. Consciously separating your self from your career allows for a greater perspective on both.

2. Be indispensible (at least one area)
There are certain things that you can do, or that you can learn to do, that can make you extraordinarily valuable to yourself and to others. Identify your special areas of uniqueness and then to commit yourself to becoming very, very good in those areas.
Take stock of your unique talents and abilities on a regular basis. What is it that you do especially well? What are you good at? What do you do easily and well that is difficult for other people? Identifying what separates you from thoses around you, and concentrating on those skills will make your unique skill set invaluable and hard to replace.

3. Don’t grow stale in your career. We live in a world where technology is evolving rapidly. This has a direct consequence on your career. Stay up to speed on the latest happenings in your field. Read various articles and books to keep your mind sharp. Attend seminars at your present job if offered. Seek out mentors who can advise or educate you. Don’t become comfortable with the status quo or complacent about things you are already good at – you can always be better, so taket he time to find out how.

4. Guard your time like a hawk. At work, we often find ourselves bombarded with ‘urgent’ requests. All of these urgent requests can disrupt the thinking processes. Sometimes it may take twice as long to get something done, simply because of the interruption. Learn to say No (with good reason!) and prioritize your tasks.

5. Polish your people skills. You may do your job well, even so well that no one can complain. But you never seem to get ahead. Sound familiar?
People issues can be one of the main reasons people leave jobs. It can also be a cause for dissatisfaction and reduced productivity. Bottom line: you need people skills to move up.

6. Communicate effectively. No matter what career path you choose to follow, you have to have good written and oral communication skills to get ahead in your career.
Make a real effort to listen to everything that’s being said to you. Observe and learn from others who make it seem effortless.

7. Keep your cool. We sometimes forget that we are in a professional environment and tend to curse and behave like a teenager. Whatever happens, don’t explode or throw your arms up in resignation. Keep your mind clear at the worst of times and you’ll be able to handle anything. There’s nothing more respectable than being calm under fire. So take a deep breath, or a walk around the block, and find away to diffuse your frustration before you address whatever the problem is.

8. Shield your reputation. The people you hang out with will add value or break your good name. Also, if you spend time with people who gossip and tear others down, you are likely to catch it too.
So, identify ways to develop and maintain a professional image that is positive and genuine. Surround yourself with positive people who seek to grow and improve.
Looking back at your career, what has been most responsible for your success? Any lessons you would like to add to this graduation day handout?

Shamelle is a Guest Blogger for PickTheBrain and the founder of The Enhance Life, a blog offering real life wisdom, for modern life growth.

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  • http://positivelypresent.typepad.com/positively_present/ Positively Present

    These are all WONDERFUL lessons. Someone should definitely print this out and send it to college graduates everywhere. Maybe a college graduate can start one of those crazy email forwards and send this link along because ALL young adults need to read this!

  • http://askthepharmacist.wordpress.com/ Pharmacist Millie

    It’s very easy to become complacent with your job, especially one you’re not that enthusiastic about. My boyfriend had the same problems, he lacked motivation and inspiration. He ended up quitting his job and starting an accounting course at university. What he’s found lately though is he’s been having the most fun helping me with my website. He says web-design just doesn’t feel like work. Maybe thats how we need to find the job we love, find something that doesn’t feel like work?

  • http://www.livinbetter.com/blog Mike

    Very good points Shamelle. I think they call it selling yourself or selling your image. You need to be a people person to really succeed I believe. People have to know you, like you, trust you, then they will do business with you.

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  • http://www.theskooloflife.com Srinivas Rao

    I love this. There’s so many things that would have changed my career if had kept all these ideas in mind. I was so hot tempered at my first job even though I was good at it.

  • http://www.kolyo-ivanov.info Kolyo Ivanov

    I agree with all the points and totally with 6 and 7

  • http://www.refocusedliving.com Matt @ Refocused Living

    I actually totally disagree with point #1. I couldn’t imagine my career being separate from my life, just because I totally enjoy everything I do. If I were to actually lose what I do, those values and beliefs would still stay with me, and I’d just find other activities (and careers) to put those values and beliefs to use in. Weird, huh?

  • Pol

    Good points and another striking photo.

    I agree strongly with number one. If I was single and had no children then it would be OK for my career to be my life if I was enjoying it and it was not draining me. Without dependants I could make whatever priorities I wanted. I think that would be fine, but as a mother and a wife I have made a serious commitment to other people and to have a life outside my career. In many ways this probably makes me better at my career.

    I also agree with the other points.

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  • http://www.kirkschroeder.com Kirk

    All points are spot on! I totally wish there would be some of those life lessons taught in school! I especially like #5! thanks :)

  • http://blog.momentor.com/7209-top-career-posts-this-week Momentor » Blog Archive » 7/2/09: Top Career Posts this Week

    [...] From Pick the Brain: 8 Powerful Career Lessons They should’ve Handed out on Graduation Day “It has been 7 years since my graduation day and I still remember the excitement; I was relieved that the ”exam phase” of my life was over; I looked with enthusiasm towards my first job. Little did I know that the “working world” would require an extraordinary effort and loads of other skills! My journey on the career ladder would have been smoother, had I known a few important lessons. While there are many “on the job” lessons, some things in life must be experienced, to be truly understood. What follows are 8 such career lessons, I wish they’d handed out to me along with my diploma.” [...]

  • http://andyparkinson.org/7209-top-career-posts-this-week/355 Andy Parkinson’s World » Blog Archive » 7/2/09: Top Career Posts this Week

    [...] From Pick the Brain: 8 Powerful Career Lessons They should’ve Handed out on Graduation Day “It has been 7 years since my graduation day and I still remember the excitement; I was relieved that the ”exam phase” of my life was over; I looked with enthusiasm towards my first job. Little did I know that the “working world” would require an extraordinary effort and loads of other skills! My journey on the career ladder would have been smoother, had I known a few important lessons. While there are many “on the job” lessons, some things in life must be experienced, to be truly understood. What follows are 8 such career lessons, I wish they’d handed out to me along with my diploma.” [...]

  • r0ck3t3r

    I agree that you must make yourself irreplaceable. I was a network operator in the Army years ago. I remember the commander making a comment, “Don’t send that private on a convoy to that area. We can’t risk losing him. He is the only one who understands this equipment.” I also got out of a lot of extra duties that were undesirable. I’ve taken this lesson with me from the military into the corporate world, and it has served me well. Make yourself the go-to guy. Make it so that the business would utterly fail without you, and they will pay you anything to stay. Of course, none of that matters if you don’t enjoy your work.

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