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What’s the best career decision you made?
My best career decision I’ve made was getting involved with elderly people (residents) as a cna. #career-path
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15 answers
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Dexter’s Answer
Hey Cecilia,
Thank you for asking this question, as it made me think hard about choosing the one thing that I think helped the most in my career.
For me, it's been staying at the same company for 14 years. I got my first post-college at VMware and have kept it so far. As the years passed, I would talk to so many people who told me that after two or three years, I should switch jobs and it would allow me to earn more money and that it would help me advance faster in my career. But being brought up by parents who tried and failed in so many short cuts in life, I was stubborn in that I was going to take the slow and steady road.
After 14 years, I'm "just" a senior manager on a small team while some people I know have become Directors, or even VPs (there are many more others who have not progressed as much in their careers). But I can tell you that because I've been at the same company, I've had a steady income and I have lots of time flexibility, which helps me focus on what matters most, which is my family. I have also earned and kept a great reputation at work as someone who is reliable and knowledgable, which helps me feel safer that I will keep my job, even in this uncertain time in the world.
As with every decision, there are pros and cons, but I for one, am really glad I found a great company like VMware, whose values line up pretty well with mine. I am also really lucky in the coworkers that I have and the friendships I have formed through VMware over the years.
In summation, unlike the general rule of thumb that I hear that people should switch jobs every few years, my advice is to find a company that treats you well, and ride it out. Sometimes, it pays off. :)
Wish you the best of luck in your career, Cecilia!
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Dexter
Thank you for asking this question, as it made me think hard about choosing the one thing that I think helped the most in my career.
For me, it's been staying at the same company for 14 years. I got my first post-college at VMware and have kept it so far. As the years passed, I would talk to so many people who told me that after two or three years, I should switch jobs and it would allow me to earn more money and that it would help me advance faster in my career. But being brought up by parents who tried and failed in so many short cuts in life, I was stubborn in that I was going to take the slow and steady road.
After 14 years, I'm "just" a senior manager on a small team while some people I know have become Directors, or even VPs (there are many more others who have not progressed as much in their careers). But I can tell you that because I've been at the same company, I've had a steady income and I have lots of time flexibility, which helps me focus on what matters most, which is my family. I have also earned and kept a great reputation at work as someone who is reliable and knowledgable, which helps me feel safer that I will keep my job, even in this uncertain time in the world.
As with every decision, there are pros and cons, but I for one, am really glad I found a great company like VMware, whose values line up pretty well with mine. I am also really lucky in the coworkers that I have and the friendships I have formed through VMware over the years.
In summation, unlike the general rule of thumb that I hear that people should switch jobs every few years, my advice is to find a company that treats you well, and ride it out. Sometimes, it pays off. :)
Wish you the best of luck in your career, Cecilia!
--
Dexter
Updated
Dalena’s Answer
The best career decision I made was to take a step backward so I can take multiple steps forward. I started my first job in a local startup in the education industry, and 4 years later I wanted to move into a global firm and change industries to enter tech - I decided to take a 'step back' by taking on a more junior position that would let me learn the skills that I needed, and that opened lots of doors for me 1.5 years later to join a company that I really admired....one thing led to another and today I am in a job and in a field that I really enjoy - but it all started from making that decision.
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Robin’s Answer
Always consider "what's the worst that can happen", and answer it truthfully and in detail... you will often find that the worst that can happen is not so bad, and this can help you be more brave in decisions made: e.g. quitting a job that is not making you happy.
To answer your question: changing from working on the topic I studied and invested years in to one which I now enjoy working in.
To answer your question: changing from working on the topic I studied and invested years in to one which I now enjoy working in.
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Paul’s Answer
Understanding the worst decision can also be helpful! Mine was to move from a Top 10 Advertising Agency where I was slowly moving up the ladder to a smaller Agency who promised immediate promotion and more money. Whilst the increased status and salary were great at the outset, they could not compensate for poor Management, weak sales pipeline, and a culture of fear. I left within 6 months to do a MBA. I learned that it is vital to consider whether you prefer to be in a large/global organisation vs a smaller one - and that culture is key for job satisfaction
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Kelsey’s Answer
The best career decision I made was being flexible and accepting a role in a brand new industry! I've found that being flexible and adaptable has consistently helped me advance my career.
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George’s Answer
When I was, not mature enough perhaps, but ready to be honest with myself, I looked fearlessly into what my passion could move me to, and I finally decided to be a counselor, knowing that the salary was going to be about 1/3 less of what I was earning in an office. That decision changed my life, lifted my spirits and gave me a good sense of what life ought to be.
If you need any more information do not hesitate to contact me.
George recommends the following next steps:
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David’s Answer
I like this topic and majority of my career decision making I have never regret on it because I was looking for career advancement and moving up as well getting more pay. The best career decision I made was leaving one company that does not see me as nothing and not worth invest in to another company that see me as something. Another way of saying is career advancement and better opportunity. I was quite successful jumping from one company to another and climbing up and down the position ladder and now in a position I can work with and for over 10 years in this career industry. All the events that I have went through which it also gave me the courage to go for new positions and higher position from now and on.
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Heidi’s Answer
My best decision was choosing a master's program that I was genuinely excited about. I was choosing between an MBA... which I felt I "should" do... and a Masters in Human Resources -- where each class sounded super interesting and exciting. So my advice to you... pay attention to what feels interesting and energizing to you, when making your career decisions. You will need the energy to convert into professional motivation!
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Dan’s Answer
Cecilia,
Great question! The best career decision I ever made was to not choose my career based on my entire life. It is important to have an understanding that you will probably not have the same job your whole life. You will have different wants and needs as you grow older, and your interests will certainly change. Find what you are interested in and let your experiences grow from there!
Great question! The best career decision I ever made was to not choose my career based on my entire life. It is important to have an understanding that you will probably not have the same job your whole life. You will have different wants and needs as you grow older, and your interests will certainly change. Find what you are interested in and let your experiences grow from there!
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Kellen’s Answer
I did the things I wanted to do and stopped doing the things I thought people wanted me to do.
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Ruth’s Answer
The best career decision I made was to be brave and ask for my boss’s position when he left the company. I needed to convince the VP no only that I had the competence to be successful, but I could do the job from my location as well. I was quite successful in that position for over 10 years. It also gave me the courage to go for new positions from now on.
Good luck and be brave!
Good luck and be brave!
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Dan’s Answer
The best carrier decision I made was to take a promotion in management that would pay less then my commission able job I was in. I knew it was going to be about a year long commitment but I knew that it was the right decision as it was helping me build my resume and meet different contacts within the company. So basically take a step back in pay but it was worth it as the next position I took was much more than the previous position I had. It also helped my grow my resume and when I left that company it was easier to get a job with another company based on my experience and resume
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Ann Cherrise’s Answer
This is a great question! For me, the best career decision that I can give is probably around developing a growth mindset. Where ever you are in your life and your career, the willing intention of doing more and learning more is very important to keep help yourself moving forward and adapt in the changing landscape. It's not about how good you are but how much you can improve and grow as a person so don't ever feel insecure and irrelevant.
Always keep an open mind and take on new opportunities to challenge yourself!
-Acee
Always keep an open mind and take on new opportunities to challenge yourself!
-Acee
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Daniel’s Answer
The best career decision i made was to go to the school with the best value. You need to look for schools that are affordable, yet have a good reputation and alumni base, with the types of programs you're looking for. Personally, i chose Umass Amherst, a cheap state school in massachusetts that is improving its reputation by the day. As a result, i left school with minimal student loans, and many job opportunities. This allowed me time to find the right job for me, and kicked off my career at PWC in Boston on the right foot.
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Kim’s Answer
I think one of the best career decisions I made was NOT to take a position!
I was a police officer, and our Training Officer left the department. I was asked to take his place. While that was quite a compliment, I did not want to walk into a nightmare. So, I met with the Chief and Lt., and very politely asked if there had been any consideration given to maybe taking the program in another direction, or if I was going to be expected to continue on from where the last person left off. They said that there was no thought to changing things up. They didn't even ask me what I had in mind. This pretty much told me all I needed to hear, so, I turned it down. I cannot imagine how my career would have turned out if I had gotten bogged down in an essentially administrative position rather than staying on patrol!
I was a police officer, and our Training Officer left the department. I was asked to take his place. While that was quite a compliment, I did not want to walk into a nightmare. So, I met with the Chief and Lt., and very politely asked if there had been any consideration given to maybe taking the program in another direction, or if I was going to be expected to continue on from where the last person left off. They said that there was no thought to changing things up. They didn't even ask me what I had in mind. This pretty much told me all I needed to hear, so, I turned it down. I cannot imagine how my career would have turned out if I had gotten bogged down in an essentially administrative position rather than staying on patrol!