Upon entering the workforce, many of us start with an entry-level job. Namely, something we do to earn money and get some experience. However, if we pair self-motivation with discipline, smart choices, and a little bit of luck, we can transform that job into a meaningful career. Why might this be important? A job is merely a means to an end. Building a career can provide experience and learning opportunities that fuel your future. So, how does one make this happen?
Identify Your Passion
I don’t know many colleagues who are ultimately playing a role that is linked to what they may have majored in college. I have worked with CEOs who studied engineering, computer hackers who studied music, and people strategists who studied economics. The point is, in today’s world, what you end up building a career around is more likely tied to what you might be passionate about rather than what you actually studied in school. If you are able to tap into that passion and take on roles where you can apply that passion while learning and developing in the process, you are off to an incredible start.
Don’t Quit Your Day Job...Yet!
We often take “jobs” because we need to pay the bills. While you might aspire to transform that job or your interests into a thriving career, you need to start somewhere. Identify people in your field of interest and learn from them. Find people you connect with who do what you want to do and don’t be afraid build relationships. You’ll sometimes find those efforts can ultimately lead to people taking an interest in your budding career and lending a helping hand. And seek out jobs in your area of interest, just to receive initial exposure. For example, if you aspire to be a chef one day, finding work in a restaurant (regardless of how menial it is) will expose you to elements of your desired job, and provide you with a greater understanding of the specific industry.
Work in an Environment That Supports Your Vision
Many recent grads are thrilled to just get a paying job out of school; dreams of a career can follow later. However, not all starter jobs are created equal. Do your research and identify companies that share your values and have a reputation for providing opportunities for their valued people. Small, growing companies are especially fertile ground for those ambitious enough to pursue their career dreams… there is often so much work to do, job descriptions are very malleable. Got an interest and a little extra time? Raise your hand and offer to help out in areas you are really interested in. That willingness to “grab a shovel” and dive in to learn more not only makes you valuable, but it puts you on the radar for future opportunities.
Get Creative
Interested in building leadership skills, but are only a few months into your working life? Think broadly – and realize that sometimes you need to step outside of the walls of your current job to gain more exposure. Raise your hand to lead projects for a volunteer organization that excites you or offer to help mentor students at your former school. There are a million ways to get involved and pitch in; and they might result in building a resume that allows you to start moving away from your “job” to a more long-term focused career. You’ll end up increasing your network, building new skills, and doing some good along the way.
Never Stop Learning
Whether it happens immediately or a few years into their working lives, many people early in their career consider graduate school. However, formal graduate degree programs are on the decline, and being replaced with online programming or hands-on learning opportunities. Whether you invest in a degree program or take a far more cost-efficient route, the point is to never stop learning. Hopefully, it will fuel an insatiable curiosity which allows you to continually develop and thrive throughout your career.
Be Patient, And Do the Hard Work
When we think of our work as a “job” we are already in a mindset of “Ughhhh…I have to go to work.” When you build a career that interests and motivates you, those feelings go away. In our world of instant gratification, it’s not uncommon to find people who play a role for six months, and then voice frustration because they haven’t been promoted already. Realize everyone who has built a meaningful career has paid their dues. When you focus on adding impact and make yourself invaluable to your team, you are off to a strong start. Celebrate every small win you get – and then build on them. It will take some time. However, if you have relied upon the work you are doing around things you are passionate about and deliver on, it’s just a matter of time and results before you are morphing that hard work into your next great role.
Christina Luconi is Chief People Officer for Rapid7. Follow her on Twitter: @peopleinnovator.