Give Advice: our sagest nuggets of career wisdom.
From the Women of 25N: Members and Team.
(Part of a Women’s History Month series — article 2 of 3)
When I was in my late teens — a recovering perfectionist with a strong self-deterministic streak — I considered my future career path as a straight line: “first I will decide what I want to do with my life, go get [x] certification or degree, apply for jobs with that title, and move up from there.”
Ohhh, sweet summer child. Turns out, mercifully, that’s not how the world works.
I loved reading these reflections from 25N Members and Team on how their careers came to be (e.g. you can’t always forge a direct path to it), and what advice they’d give their younger selves (e.g. take some deep breaths and let it all take time).
Maybe, like 19-year-old-me, you need to hear it for the first time, or, like 10+-years-later-me, a refresher course would be nice.
Let’s listen in:
How did you choose your career? What helped you in deciding what career path was the right one for you?
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
“I didn’t really choose my career but rather, happened upon it! To begin with, it’s important to know who you are and who you want to be. When something feels “off” or like it doesn’t fit YOU, it’s probably time to release it. I tried a lot of different things and every step of the way I found something out about who I am and who I want to be. We put a lot of pressure on “choosing the right career” and it can feel scary and overwhelming. Instead, have fun getting to know yourself and finding what feels right for you.” — Mecca
“I originally started off college as a Special Education major. I made a random switch to Interior Design based on watching too much HGTV (I know this sounds crazy). I am glad I made the random switch because I found what I am passionate about. Shadowing someone I knew in the design industry helped me to determine what path to take in the design world (commercial/corporate design).” — Marisa
“Career counseling!!! Do not pass go, do not collect $100, go straight to career counseling. It will help you weave together the threads of your passions, past experiences, and life story to get clarity on what your career calling is. Hint: research states that most people, across their lifespan, will have 15+ different jobs, 3 different careers, but only 1 true calling.” — Sari
“I have a passion for caring and helping others…I wanted my career to feel like I was making a difference in people’s days. Working for 25N and teaching Yoga has allowed me to do just that. I am able to support others in a professional manner and in a spiritual way.” — Emily
“I come from an entrepreneurial family. I knew I would have a chance to build something from the ground up with 25N and that’s a chance I had to take.” — Meagan
“I didn’t really choose it but it morphed itself over the years of work and figuring out what I really love, which is leading others and organizing things.” — Katie
“Honestly, I just knew I wanted to work with people. I was wrapping up senior year of university unsure of what my next steps were going to be and a friend of mine knew of a job opening with 25N that lined right up with a lot of my strengths and was oriented around people. I applied and the rest has been history ever since. Seeing how hospitality can impact people for the better just inspires me to care for our community even better. Whether it’s through planning events or by creating more efficient processes behind the scenes, I get to create a space where people can have productive and fun work days. I get the best of two worlds that I love — people and processes — all in one gig.” — Ce’Nedra
“I generally knew the path that I wanted to take, but as I began I demonstrated my skills and passions within my career whenever I could which led to opportunities directing my path even closer to something I love. So related to the question below, advice to a younger self would be to keep showing off, humbly of course. ;)” — Kelly
“I started as a client first, and through that experience, I was able to envision myself pursuing this career and assisting others, particularly in our community.” — Uggi
What have been the most important decisions you ‘ve made in your life? Looking back, what mattered the most and what mattered the least?
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash
“The decision to surround myself with people who light up my life. Once I started to prioritize people who brought me joy, I noticed my life became so much brighter.” — Meagan
“The most important decision I have ever made in my life was stepping away from pursing a career and instead got to know who I am and what I was created for.” — Mecca
“Moving away from everyone I knew and making decisions to support my family when they needed it. Growth and family were the most important.” — Katie
“Decisions on leaving jobs and taking jobs, decisions on where to live, decisions on partners and relationships have all been important. All these things are boiled down into questions of how I spend my time and with who I spend my time. So in that sense they are all important! But, it’s a delicate balance of carefully considering decisions while not giving them too much power. There’s always a road forward that will unfold.” — Susan
“The most significant decision was choosing to believe in Christ.” — Uggi
“The decision to attend the university I did was kind of the starting point for a lot of major life events that happened that have shaped me. It’s where I met my husband, where I got connected with some incredible mentors that have poured into me, where I strengthened my faith and found a deeper calling in life, and where I started to find my voice as an individual. I don’t think the actual institution I attended is to thank for each of these things, but it was definitely a launching place for me to encounter some incredible people that have shaped me. I also look back and see my decision to step back from a friendship I had for seventeen years as a deeply important decision and one where I learned a lot about the value of advocating for yourself. In this, learning that I matter as an individual and life isn’t solely about others, was so important for me.” — Ce’Nedra
With that in mind, what advice would you give to your younger self?
Photo by Amanda Jones on Unsplash
“Choose carefully those who you surround yourself with.” — Kim
“Don’t worry so much about what other people will think. You’re the only person who can do what you’re doing in the world. We need you to follow your intuition and bring your unique light. No one else can do it quite like you. :)” — Susan
“People’s opinions of you are none of your business. Stay true to who you want to be and you’ll find the right people will end up by your side.” — Meagan
“You can have all the plans in the world but life is going to throw some curveballs your way. And it will all work out the way it is meant to be.” — Katie
“To my younger self I would say to take care of yourself as you care for others. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Also…. take the trip. To Colorado, to Washington, to that random small town. Life is short and memories are priceless.” — Ce’Nedra
“It’s OK to follow your heart. It may not get you where you thought you wanted to be, but where you are supposed to be.” — Debbie
“If I could tell my younger self one thing it would be to stand up for yourself! Use your voice! Don’t be afraid of what others will think about you.” — Nicole
“I wish I could encourage her to stop being so afraid of vulnerability sooner. The fear of being disliked or rejected never equals the joy I’ve found from the people I love and the things I’ve been able to accomplish when I stepped outside my comfort zone.” — Arianna