Something I’m asked about all the time – and particularly around this time of year – is my advice for young people who are finishing university and making their first career choices.
This is a difficult question for obvious reasons. Not everyone has the same interests, goals and priorities in life. Not everyone has the same advantages out of the gates. The ‘normal’ career path is vastly different now than it was when I was leaving university. And lots of people don’t have a clear idea of what they’d like to do. Unlike the lucky few who have always known what their passion is, for many students asked straight out of university what their career goals are, the answer is a resounding “I don’t know.”
So rather than provide specific advice, I generally try and provide some guiding principles based on my experiences and observations about what leads to a successful and fulfilling career.
The first principle comes back to who you are and what you value.
What really motivates you? What differentiates you from your peers? You don’t have to have been at the top of your class – it could be a personal quality related to your beliefs, experiences or background. But ideally you will have an understanding of your strengths and play to them. There’s no point trying to force yourself into something that goes against your nature.
Looking back, (and I don’t think I necessarily understood this right out of university) I was always someone who loved to try new things – I was curious, and always wanted to do something a different way. Rather than suppressing this quality and adopting the more risk-averse mind-set common in large organisations, I have tried to embrace this aspect of my personality. And it has served me well in a world that is constantly changing and where innovation is key to success.
Second, stay flexible and adaptable.
In today’s environment it pays not to box yourself into any given career or skill-set. I know there is a lot of pressure to pick something solid and stable. But it’s important to stay flexible, open to new ideas, and willing to change and challenge yourself. Whole careers are vanishing overnight, and those who are unable to change are paying a heavy price. Try and instil in yourself a philosophy of continuous learning – never rest on your laurels.
How can you demonstrate this flexibility practically in today’s market? There are many ways, but a good one is to start your own business. It doesn’t matter what it is or whether it’s successful. The lessons you learn through starting a business - about adversity, about yourself and your strengths and weaknesses - will be invaluable. If I were looking at two candidates wanting to work at PwC, and one had had a solid two years of professional experience at an accounting firm, and one had tried and failed to start a business, but could demonstrate what they had learned along the way, I know which one I would think had the richer and more valuable experience. Making mistakes, picking yourself up and starting again is what builds resilience and wisdom – incredibly important characteristics in today’s world.
Third, when you’re starting your first job, don’t focus too much on whether the field is the ‘right’ one for you this early in your career.
My perspective is that no matter what you’re doing, if you are learning, having fun and being challenged - that’s a good thing. Try and be the best you can be. Pick something, give it a go, see if you get in the spirit and if it becomes a passion of yours. If it doesn’t – change horses. Above all, don’t be a victim to your choice. A lot of people join an organisation, hate it, then stay for twenty years. It pays the bills but they’re miserable. Avoiding this comes back to adaptability – keep checking in with yourself as you go along in a given job, and if you’re no longer challenged and start dreading your day in the office, take action to change it.
Finally – don’t worry too much.
There is a time in your life for stability, and a time for risk, and your twenties are unquestionably one of the times when it is ok to take some risks. So don’t be afraid to have a go at something different.
This article was originally posted on LinkedIn.
A note from the University of Adelaide:
The Careers Service assists students and recent graduates with career advice and planning. Contact the team on 8313 5123 to arrange an appointment.
