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How has your experience/training prepared you for your business role?
#business-management
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Peter’s Answer
One big mistake that many people make getting out of college and entering a new career is that they don't think they need to start on the bottom. But nothing can replace practical hands on experience. If you want to be a manager at some point it is important to know all aspects of the job you will be overseeing. But have a plan in place as to how long you will need to obtain the necessary experience to progress and be sure your immediate supervisor is in sync with that plan so they too can advocate for you.
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Shradha’s Answer
An educational foundation of business and economics followed by hands-on experience on the job have all really helped me get ready for and succeed in my current role. Echoing the sentiment above: while training is definitely helpful, the greatest learning comes from hands-on experience on the job and from meeting people early in the job to understand what's happening and absorbing like a sponge. It is especially important when you start a new job to spend time talking to people to get oriented to and understand the environment/ culture/ problems around you BEFORE you start solving problems because while you may have experienced similar problems before, one size often does not fit all.
Once you get a better understanding of the role and expectations, you can also work with your manager to identify gaps in your experience or skillset and use the learning and development budget (if available) to take on additional trainings to prep for your role. For eg: If you want to be a Program Manager, while you don't need a formal degree, you can always take (often free) courses on the side to brush up your skillset IF you realize that the lack of a degree is limiting you to excel in your role in any way.
Once you get a better understanding of the role and expectations, you can also work with your manager to identify gaps in your experience or skillset and use the learning and development budget (if available) to take on additional trainings to prep for your role. For eg: If you want to be a Program Manager, while you don't need a formal degree, you can always take (often free) courses on the side to brush up your skillset IF you realize that the lack of a degree is limiting you to excel in your role in any way.
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Jeffrey’s Answer
Training has helped tremendously. Find out what kind of trainings or learnings are needed for the role/position you are aiming for and gather as many knowledge as you can. You don't have to be in the position already yet to start learning about it. At the very least you would have the background knowledge for the role. The next step is experience (it is a form of learning to) for this, you would really need to not settle for anything else. Every opportunity you see to gain experience, go get it as long as you are able commit the time needed for it.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Updated
Philip’s Answer
Hi Jessica,
Obviously, education is a key place to start. During high school, you'll want to focus on courses that will prepare you for your target college courses. For example, if you are going for a data science degree/ path in college, you'll want to focus on taking the highest level math courses possible to prepare yourself. Similarly with a business path, math would be important, as well as verbal and written communication courses. Choosing the correct college path would be the next step and then throughout your college career, you'll want to seek Internships in your field as you get closer to your Junior and Senior year. Nothing beats real world experience, so having a relevant internship is key towards getting the experience you'll need to launch into a career. There are also a lot of certification you can take online now, which is great to pick up key skills for your profession. See the next steps for some online certificate programs.
I wish you all the best in your career and future endeavors!
Cheers,
Philip
https://www.udemy.com/
https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates
Obviously, education is a key place to start. During high school, you'll want to focus on courses that will prepare you for your target college courses. For example, if you are going for a data science degree/ path in college, you'll want to focus on taking the highest level math courses possible to prepare yourself. Similarly with a business path, math would be important, as well as verbal and written communication courses. Choosing the correct college path would be the next step and then throughout your college career, you'll want to seek Internships in your field as you get closer to your Junior and Senior year. Nothing beats real world experience, so having a relevant internship is key towards getting the experience you'll need to launch into a career. There are also a lot of certification you can take online now, which is great to pick up key skills for your profession. See the next steps for some online certificate programs.
I wish you all the best in your career and future endeavors!
Cheers,
Philip
Philip recommends the following next steps:
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Judith’s Answer
Continue to learn as much as you can. Take interest in your chosen specialism but also seek to understand what your business does and what is important to your colleagues in every department. Work on areas that interest you and develop as many skills as possible. Learning on the job from others is just as important as formal training.
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Junnie’s Answer
Training always helps. Even though we have received higher education, theory and hands-on experience is two separate thing. Having the knowledge, and able to apply it on the job can make the job easier, but not always.
Training is also a good opportunity to learn.
Training is also a good opportunity to learn.
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Blake’s Answer
Training has helped with my role, but the best thing to do is experience the job first hand. No schooling will be able to teach you how to handle every situation that will arise. The best thing is to practice your ability to handle change and manage stress.