#IWD2019 – What career advice would you give your younger self and why?
With International Women’s Day upon us, the women of Webprofits thought it fitting to reflect on our own journeys through life and career, and share a snippet of advice we wish we could have told our younger selves.
It’s our hope that the advice shared will resonate with anyone reading this, taking from it whatever will bring a sense of direction, purpose or motivation in your next steps towards greatness.
Tammie Lee
Principal Consultant, Digital Engagement
“Go where you can grow.”
Your career is just an extension of the person you are becoming as you fulfil your potential. Don’t separate your growth as a person from the work you do every day. Grow your most important asset, which is you, and the clients, companies and teams you touch along the way will benefit.
Jess Grassick
Senior Consultant, Search & Content Marketing
“It’s a career maze”
There is no such thing as a career path, it’s a career maze. There are learnings in every opportunity and vulnerability that you will experience in your professional career. Pursue the maze that enables you to build and grow new skills. Be kind to yourself along the way.
Natalie Sareff
Senior Consultant, Social Media
“Be patient with yourself.”
Be patient with yourself. Determination and talent is a big part of personal development, but so is time, so don’t compare yourself to people with years more experience.
Jacqui Coombe
Principal Consultant, Search + Content Marketing
“Be flexible with your plan”
It’s important to have a plan, but it’s also important to be flexible with that plan. Sometimes things don’t go exactly as you thought they would, but the place you end up is better than it may have been if you’d ignored opportunities that cropped up along the way.
Natalie Storaker
Operations Manager
“Find out where your passions and strengths lie”
Experience different jobs, work environments and industries to find out where your passions and strengths lie. Be engaged and ask questions, build your confidence and always seek out opportunities to learn more.
Natalie Turner
Principal Consultant, Acquisition
“Try not to let doubt rule your life”
Try not to let doubt rule your life, be confident and comfortable knowing that you’ll always be learning and continuing to learn is what makes you better. You don’t need to know your life’s purpose right away – experience new things and, when you find something you love, invest time in growing into the role. Effort and attitude determine abilities, and failure is just an opportunity to grow.
Kath Chalhoub
Head of Creative + Social
“Remain fiercely determined and unreservedly raw”
It takes a strong person to open themselves up and be vulnerable amongst their peers — but it’s through our vulnerability that we’re able to resonate and connect with those who will teach and uplift us to become the next version of ourselves that we need to be, to achieve our personal greatness.
Never back down from being your truest, most authentic self — ever.
Remain fiercely determined and unreservedly raw and know that you must always be fearless in your pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.
Chloé Potvin
Consultant, Search + Content Marketing
“See each challenge as an opportunity”
There will always be people with the inability to recognise your value. Know your worth, stand fast, and refuse to be defeated. On the hard days, think about how much strength you’ve gained and don’t lose sight of just how far you’ve come. See each challenge as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. You’ll go through a lot but you’ll grow a lot too. Bounce back, rebuild, and manifest something new. Give yourself credit for your resilience, carry a positive spirit, and keep a sense of grace and kindness about you. Allow your natural powers – of persistence, intelligence, and sensitivity – to guide your actions, your work, and influence those around you. Remember — you matter.
Alyssa Hutchings
Associate, Search + Content Marketing
“Step outside your comfort zone”
Don’t worry about not knowing what career you want to pursue, because you won’t know what you’re truly passionate about and want to do long-term until you try out a few different things first. Be open to new experiences, step outside your comfort zone, and remember that happiness is always the number one priority.
Anna Ersezer
Associate, Engagement Coordinator
“Ups and downs are part of life”
Ups and downs are part of life. Some days you will feel like you have a good handle on life. Other days you’ll feel like you should’ve just stayed in bed, but remember this – your mindset is your secret weapon. Tackle those ‘down days’ head on and view them as opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Reach out to your colleagues, friends & loved ones for advice and support, you’re not alone in this world.
Fiorella Rafael
Consultant, Search + Content Marketing
“Celebrate all the small wins”
Take time to recognise and process your own career milestones. Resist the urge to get overwhelmed with climbing-the-ladder narratives and celebrate all the small wins you have actually chalked up on your career development score card.
Rebecca Hiscocks
Front of House
“The journey will be more fun than you can imagine”
Follow where your heart tells you to go – you will be surprised where you end up but the journey will be more fun than you can imagine.
Tash Spencer
Social Media Intern
“Don’t sell yourself short”
The world is your oyster; don’t steer clear of big opportunities because you feel unqualified. The more out of your depth you feel, the more that you will learn. Don’t sell yourself short; a strong work ethic and good attitude will carry you through.
Catherine Dix
Head of Digital Consulting
“Strive to be the best version of yourself.”
Stop caring so much about what others may think of you. Spending time worrying about or over thinking what others may or may not think of you is simply unhelpful and just not important. It is far more important to focus on what makes you happy. Strive to be the best version of yourself. Challenge yourself. Make decisions based on your happiness and your goals. Those who are your genuine supporters and friends, will be there without any judgement and you want more of those in your life.
Aasha Sinha
Personal Advisor/Credit Control
“Don’t be afraid to fail.”
Be your biggest supporter. Don’t let your self-doubt and fear get in the way of taking every opportunity to learn, both professionally and personally. Don’t be afraid to fail. You learn more about yourself when failing than when succeeding.
What advice would you share with your younger self, and why? Comment below.
Katherine Chalhoub
The aim? To develop campaign work that resonates with mass reach and evokes human connection on a scale that transcends the scope of the status quo.
Listen to your heart above all other voices!
Love the advice mum x