Words from the Wise

             “What do I want to do with my life?” I frequently ponder this question as I try to plan my “picture-perfect” life after college. However, I’ve realized that planning out my life and career goals to a tee isn’t only unnecessary, but is also impractical. In my experience, plans rarely go as expected. There are always unforeseen twists and turns that require quick adjustments and flexibility. It’s more beneficial to keep an open mind and explore all possible options and opportunities I encounter.

            During the SuperNova South conference in Atlanta this past weekend, I listened to and spoke with over twenty marketing professionals who immediately cast away all of my doubts. They each recounted their college and first job experiences and reiterated how different their intentions were then than they are now. Some of the speakers never used their major; others took jobs right out of college that are completely unrelated to their current occupation. Moral of the story, there is no “cookie-cutter” path or method for reaching your ideal career goal. This is especially reassuring for hundreds of college students like myself, who haven’t decided on a distinct career path. The speakers at this conference gave such insightful advice for aspiring marketers. Five ideas really stood out to me.

          1.     If you want to be the noun, do the verb.

If you want to be a writer, write. If you want to be a graphic designer, design graphics. In the real world, people respond to someone who has done something and has work to show for it. In the creative world especially, it is important to create and maintain a portfolio to showcase yourself and what you are capable of.

          2.     Leave it better than you found it.

When you first accept a new job, it takes more than six months to become adjusted to it. The entire first year of a new job is just getting going and figuring out the ropes of everything. The second and third years of a job is excelling. Therefore, don’t leave a job right after being hired. Not only is it a pain for your boss to find a replacement, but you could also miss a great opportunity if you walk away too soon. Be patient and work hard to improve the company so it will be better than when you first joined.

          3.     You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.

You are only one person; don’t spread yourself out too thin. Think about what actions will make the biggest impact on the business and pursue that one initiative. It is much better to invest a lot of time and perform one task very well. Adopt a quick win strategy by focusing on a two to four week project at a time. By completing a lot of quick projects, you can gain momentum.

          4.     Only thing constant is change.

The world of marketing is ever changing. Business is an extremely fast-paced environment, and it is crucial to stay up to speed on everything occurring in the business climate in order to be successful. You don’t want to be left behind, so stay informed, flexible, and ready to enact changes when necessary.

          5.     Passion sells.

Passion is key to marketers. You must understand how to connect with people on an emotional level to achieve your objectives. Consumers are more likely to do business with people they can relate to, like, and trust. Similarly, passion should be your driving force in your career efforts. You want to have a job that you would do for free. So look at job descriptions and note the key qualities and skills they require. Follow your own passions to discover what career path is the best fit for you.