If you’re anything like me, this Panasonic has thrown you for a loop. You had these grand plans for your life or at least an inkling of what you wanted to do next and then BAM!
The world ends.
Luckily, the world is built on cycles. Therefore, the ending of one thing is the beginning of the next.
Here are my five (5) steps on how to navigate the beginning of your new career:
STEP ONE: UPSKILL
What does a degree, a diploma and a school leaving certificate have in common? They are all just pieces of paper. The true key to getting into any field is aptitude and attitude. We live in an age of information. You can learn anything from a multitude of ‘mini-universities’.
It takes 20 hours to be good at anything. Invest that time into something you’re curious about. Attend the University of YouTube or take any other various free courses and get certified in a digital field: web designing, digital marketing (lol), project management, etc.
Google Garage, HubSpot Academy, LinkedIn, oh my! Sign up, choose a course that interests you, and get certified. There are people who need you and your unique talents to help them achieve their dreams. Let’s not keep them waiting.
STEP TWO: WALKING THE WALK
So, you’re certified. Let me be the first (or umpteenth) to say congrats! Now, you need experience. Internships can be an amazing way to gain valuable insights into your new field. Not to mention, this is where you’ll be able to reinforce what you’ve learnt in a practical way you may have missed during ‘school’.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Ask questions. Learn as much as you can. Network. Network. Network. Add value to your team, to your customers and to yourself. May I also say that if you’re looking into digital media, if you’re reading, contact the owner of this blog for a comprehensive internship that will be a blessing for your career in media.
STEP THREE: REPLICABILITY
‘We get paid according to the types of problems we solve.’
My life changed after I heard that quote. If you want to grow within your organization, the very first thing you need to do is admit that to yourself and someone you trust in higher management.
Choose a mentor you admire and begin emulating their workflow.
Major key: Listen. People are always talking about themselves and if you listen keenly, you can learn a lot about what management is looking for in candidates for promotion.
Management wants to know that you are dedicated to company culture and results. Show them that you have mastered the level you are at and have the potential to bring even more value to the organization.
STEP FOUR: THE FOLLOW-THROUGH
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: Consistency is key. You have to show up every day. Let excellence be who you are, not something that you do.
Fair warning: this step is the easiest and the hardest. Be intentional in your actions and your work. Employers want to know that should you be promoted, you have habits that they want to be replicated in other members of staff.
STEP FIVE: RINSE AND REPEAT
Congratulations on your new position! *inserts confetti and happy dance*
The journey continues. You’re no longer a junior. You have a team that’s counting on you, more so now than ever. Management and leadership call for refined soft skills and critical thinking. This is where you’ll focus more on project management, the psychology of sales and my all-time favourite: emotional intelligence and maturity.
After which? See Step One 🙂
An additional note from someone that has been on both sides of the interview. ‘Hire the personality. Train the skill.’ In interviews, technical alignment is very important. However, attitude supersedes that. Employers are looking for alignment with their vision and culture. Skills can be learnt. A pleasant personality? Not so much.
In conclusion (lol), change can be a wonderful, exciting thing if we allow it to be. Own your life and take charge of your future. Never forget that you are capable of amazing things. I am so very proud of each and every one of you for taking this brave step towards a brighter future. Keep moving forward. Let’s get this bag!
Editor’s Note: Kriss-Ann Haughton completed the University of Technology in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. In 2021, Kriss-Ann landed a digital marketing officer job in Jamaica after following the exact steps she listed above. Within the space of 9 months with the company, Kriss-Ann was promoted to Senior Customer Relationship Officer and her new job duties included the management of a team of digital marketing officers. It’s never where you start!
