Joey
If you could go back in time what would you change about your career path?
I am a senior at Brennan High School Interested in going into the business field. #business #entrepreneur #business-management #marketing...
14 answers
Troy Riley
Troy’s Answer
Firstly, be fearless, focus on what you want and what you believe you are good at. You may get it wrong more than once but that's okay. You will spend much of your life working so chase that dream but balance it with your capability.
Secondly, be honest with yourself and the people you'll work with. Focus that honestly on the work, with honest feedback, honest response. It's okay to not know, be honest and find the answers, don't make it up. This will not always be easily done but worth doing. Balance honestly with preserving the dignity of others.
Thirdly, its your life, try to do what YOU really want to do, don't live someone else's dream.
And finally, don't be afraid to fail, embrace it, learn from your failures and keep moving forward.
D L
D’s Answer
1) save more money and plan to retire much earlier! I wouldn't quit working necessarily, but I wouldn't 'have' to work if I didn't want to! Put every spare penny into a 401 or some type of savings. Life with less at first so you can actually "live" without work younger!!
2) be fearless!! Especially so for any women reading this answer. I believe you need to go for what you want. Do not let "norms" hold you back! Men tend to seek positions they do not qualify for, but have some challenging aspect, women tend to go for positions they are over qualified for... always seek the challenges!
3) ALWAYS be open to change! Change leads to opportunities you could not have imagined. Do not get stuck by being closed, keep your doors open and something incredible may show up.
4) treat my career like a sport, and focus on the goal and work toward it each day. Build off the positive progress, and only compete against myself. (Measuring to others will always be a set-back, especially if their goals are not the same as yours!)
5) decide quickly that "If I am not happy with what I am doing - to STOP doing it quickly" and find something I have some passion for. This doesn't mean you fail, it just increases the time to which you will be doing something you really do enjoy!
GOOD LUCK!!
Kim Igleheart
Kim’s Answer
Good question!
If I could go back in time, I would like to have had more self-confidence, and taken advantage of opportunities that came my way. I wish I had gotten into sports as a kid. I sometimes wish I had gone into the military. I would have learned the skills of how to get along with coworkers, teamwork, and respect for authority (my weakness!)
Instead, I went to college. I had a good internship working with a top investigative reporter. I made a stupid mistake on my first assignment, and, I was so embarrassed, I quit. I should have pushed on. Then, there was a very difficult class that was by invitation only. It was a law class, called "moot court." I didn't think I was smart enough to handle it, so I did not take it.
About a year after graduating, I was in the police academy. One of the instructors referred me to a job at a private company doing insurance fraud investigating. I thought he was trying to get me OUT of law enforcement, because I was female. I never saw what he was trying to do to further my career.
I encourage everyone to keep an eye open for doors of opportunity, even if you have a career path planned out. Evaluate opportunities, and, if they are potentially good, don't be afraid to try them out! (this also means managing your personal finances in such a way that you can afford to take a pay CUT if it would provide an opportunity to really get ahead!)
Karla Borbon
Karla’s Answer
A few things, but I will narrow it down to the two-most important ones:
First, not be shy or fearful about asking questions. Be more vocal and not get intimidated for being the youngest and/or the rookie in the group. We can learn from each other!
Second, even with a goal in mind, focus more on the day-to-day tasks. Live in the present! You will reach your goal by focusing on the day-to-day.
Although, personally these did not dictate my outcome in my career, I love my career, but I think I could have done better in these areas.
Live the life you love and love the life you live!
Best of luck!
Stacy Largent
Stacy’s Answer
1. Why did I chose the current career field/position/ company and what do I hope to achieve in the position?
2. Does the career field/position/company offer opportunities for me to volunteer and give back to the community?
3. Am I passionate and excited about what I will be doing?
4. Do I continue to grow and challenge myself?
Never be afraid to try something new as the things you learn and explore may be stepping stones to new opportunities down the road!
Always pursue your passions and be passionate about what you pursue!
Bob Burton
Bob’s Answer
Success in business involves a sharp focus with continuous personal renewal. The focus I chose, to be a global business leader, required me to be aware of how the various functions of a business operate and fit together.
So, for job number one, I sought and successfully became employed by a company with an excellent corporate training program. As such, I was able to become an intern who worked briefly in every function of the corporation. It offered the basis for a successful career in business.
Constant renewal from manufacturing foreman, to sales analyst, to sales person, to training other salespeople, to national corporate sales individual, to sales manager, to product marketing manager, to global business strategy director, to corporate vice president venture capital, to CEO/Chairman of a portfolio of high technology global businesses - stemmed from that first decision to seek a corporation that would teach me the fundamentals and fit between various functions.
The most important point is to have a focus in mind and a willingness to try on new roles, while you learn from each role the function and fit within the overall corporate structure. Also, along the way you will learn from a series of bosses how best to manage people-when to lead, how to lead, when to give the reins of leadership to subordinates in your team.
I would not change anything that I have done. Having changed roles and companies to meet the focus creates risk. All roles are not the best fit. But, one should learn from every experience while keeping the end point in mind.
Steven F. Malone
Steven’s Answer
Kei Mercado
Kei’s Answer
Stephen Mroz
Stephen’s Answer
1) Understanding that not all failures are your fault. If you work for a system, and a part of that system fails, it's not you.
2) Go back to school and / or get higher level training. I missed a large window where I had the time and money to improve my skills.
3) Push to advance. The adage "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" applies in business, if you want more, ask.
Simeon Snow
Simeon’s Answer
Diego Marchese
Diego’s Answer
Nothing! :) I've been continuously focusing on learning opportunities and differentiation. Never take jobs for the salary they offer you, because these are the companies where you're not going to learn much and salaries are their only way to attract talents.
Tammy Romero
Tammy’s Answer
Good luck.
Phoebe Ngugi
Phoebe’s Answer
Mark P
Mark’s Answer
Joey,
Great question and one the crosses my mind regularly. If I could go back in time I would tell myself fear is not real and encourage myself to follow my heart / passion for the things I love. I would have not settled for a job and would have looked for what I do today sooner helping others find work daily. I have learned over time to do the things I love and have put them to work in my life to earn a living. At the end of the day you can always re-invent yourself at any point in life. I would say to myself don't listen to the nay-sayers and pursue what you enjoy most in life. Have fun and I hope this answer helps make a change in your life!