Twenty-Nine years ago, on Monday May 4th, 1987 I started my first “real” job after graduating from college. I wore a cap & gown Friday May 1st, packed a U-Haul on May 2nd and moved back in with may parents on May 3rd so I could afford to live on the small starting salary of an entry level advertising position.
It was one of the most thrilling and memorable moments of my career. I was one of 6 chosen to start in the mail room at Young & Rubicam among hundreds of applicants. Like today, the economy was just starting to rebound from a recession and entry level jobs were difficult to land. I thought I was dreaming when I was called and offered $17K /year starting salary and benefits.
Nearly thirty years later, I have a great perspective about what helped me get to where I am today. Below is a list of my top ten lessons learned. I plan to write a blog and share a few stories about each one over the next few months. They are all important and listed in no particular order:
My Ten Career Acceleration Lessons:
- Find your passion(s) and never work a day in your life.
- The last 10% makes all the difference.
- Surround yourself with believers.
- We teach others how to treat us.
- What got you here – won’t get you there!
- Get a life!
- It’s no longer about WHAT you do, it’s about HOW you do it.
- You have to look the part – it matters – and it matters more for women than men
- Ask for feedback – from your friends and “frenenemies”
- You are now one of “Them” (the man)… So own it – and change it!
Pam Forbus: Musings from The journey 