Written by Danielle Trauth-Jurman, Director of Planned Giving and Endowment Strategy at Trident United Way

I remember finishing my master’s program in 2019, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready to land my dream job. Turns out, I was a bit naive to think it would happen so easily. Five years and a couple of job titles later, here are a few things I would tell my younger self as she was just getting started in the professional world.

Stay Flexible
“Other tasks and duties as assigned” – These words appear in most job descriptions. Rather than feel frustrated when you are asked to do something outside of your typical responsibilities at work, embrace these tasks as opportunities. Doing work outside of your normal purview is a great opportunity to connect with other people within your organization, learn from other departments and develop new skill sets. Showing your boss that you are versatile, a team player and a problem solver will serve you well and help you get ahead.

Invest in Your Network
Network and get your name out there. People often say you should find a mentor who can help open doors for you. A mentor can be helpful, but do not be discouraged if you cannot find one. You can still go to networking events, pass out your business card and chat with people who have a career that you admire or whose footsteps you would like to follow in. Many opportunities come from your personal and professional networks, so invest in building yours. Also, let this be a genuine two-way street. Offer to help others and make introductions when you can. What goes around comes around, and you will make friends and build a larger network by helping others along the way.

Take It One Step at a Time
Lastly, you do not have to have your entire career figured out from day one. Rather than mapping out a detailed five- or ten-year timeline, create a professional mission statement for yourself. This will help provide you with a framework when deciding what opportunities to say yes to, while not limiting your options so dramatically. Stay open to possibilities, your evolving interests and most importantly, your passions.  

Want to learn more about the best ways to navigate your career path? Join us at our Pathways to Success event on May 9, where a CYP alumni panel will share their insight on the topic. Learn more and register here.