I attended a presentation over a week ago from one of the many firm’s that have graced my school’s campus these past few weeks with the hope to recruit some of us students for full-time work positions. The presentation was very impressive from the background of the managing partner to the delivery of what was on offer for us prospective employees.
The piece of the presentation that stood out to me was when the managing partner gave some advice. He said: Ensure you know the skills you truly excel at and make sure you sign up with a firm that actually values that. This for me was probably one of the most eye-opening messages I have heard in the past few months and a message, which was very relevant to me at this stage in my career. I am at a place where I am applying for numerous jobs, some that I know clearly I would excel at, as the skills necessary for them come easy to me (and is highly demanded by the firms) and excite me and I could see my future growth. Others on the other hand are so-so (in that I could do them but was there any passion in me for them, any excitement for me to grow in them?….DEBATABLE)
One of the many reasons I came to business school was to really evaluate what I was passionate about and go about excelling in that direction. It’s certainly hard to remain focused about where to go next when one is constantly having opportunities presented daily from all angles. The comment made by the partner certainly helped put my head back in line as to what I truly wanted and how important it was for me not to forget what that was (to not forget what taking a year out meant for ME) and to truly keep it fore-front as I get bombarded with “noise”.
I think his comment was not only relevant to ones’ career but to all aspects of life…we need to go in the direction of where our value is best recognized because if not, we could end of resenting the position we find ourselves in as the pursuit of happiness in that direction will certainly be much tougher if not even impossible.
#SassyFunke
Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth. || Unknown
Hey Sassy:
Just wanted to say a quick hello. We follow each other on Instagram. Ggetsresults is my Instagram handle. I see you’re in NY, I love this city, its home for me as well.
Your post today on not feeling successful left me
intrigued so I wanted to drop you a brief note. So to my point, no amount of schooling whether it be
immaculate Greek, Roman or English letters will ever leave you feeling successful. Success begins with
you feeling comfortable in your given field, knowing
inwardly you’ll be able to leave an indelable mark on society.
The mark begins and ends with you. Not the presenter trying to lobby you with corporate perks
being shouted from the corporate roof top.
Secondly, I’m very familiar with Afro centric family pressure’s to obtain and achieve success via what
our parents wish us to achieve. Been there, done that. Although, I’m from the Caribbean my father went to Oxford. (Talk abouuut pressure!!). I knew Oxford wasn’t for me.
You’ll find it. A certain sense of calm comes over you when you hit that sweet spot, when you know you’ve made the right decision. Yeah the right connects, school friends, sorors, frats play a time in climbing the ladder. But so does climbing the wrong ladder, when you could have walked.
Do you. But Make a decision soon. Stay with your decision for a minute. You dont like the job, you can always change course.
I did. I survived & I did pretty OK.
All the Best. Geronimo
Thank you for your comment Geronimo. It’s important to truly follow your own path regardless of the pressure we may receive from our circles. And as you rightly pointed out, no decision is permanent as one can always change one’s course (but its important for all these decisions to be ours).
All the best!!