My Students' Tips for Success

My Students’ Tips for Success

On the last day of my college career development class this week, I asked my students to name their tips for success after a full semester of engaging with ideas and skills around career success. We filled the blackboard with their advice for other students which I think can apply to anyone at any stage of their career.

Here’s a sample of my students’ tips:

Research, research research (career paths, salary rates for negotiations.)
Have mentors and keep in touch with them.
Clean up your professional image (email, voice mail, Facebook.)
Get involved – volunteer, intern, join a club or organization.
Be kind, to everyone.
Keep going for your goals. Don’t give up.
Do what you love and follow your passions.
Go outside of your comfort zone.
Update your resume, regularly.
Ask for help. You don’t have to do it all alone. (Things like your resume, interviewing, job seeking.)
Follow up, including sending thank you notes.
Keep learning. Take classes and learn new skills.
Be open-minded about your career options. Don’t get so focused on only one path. There are lots out there.

They asked me what I would add to the list. Here’s a few:

Practice gratitude. Saying thank you will get you a long way.
Think BIG, but act small.

About the Author: Suzanne Grossman

Suzanne Grossman is a job search coach and women’s leadership specialist. She is a founder of Love Your Job (LYJ) Search, a series of classes that support women in achieving fulfilling work at the compensation they deserve. She also advises graduate students, teaching them practical skills and sharing information on how to make the leap to satisfying careers. Suzanne has a BA in Psychology from Tufts University and a Master’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. See testimonials on Suzanne’s success working with women jobseekers. Follow Suzanne on Twitter @LYJnow and @Suzanne_LYJnow. Contact lyjnow (at) gmail.com.

2 Comments

Manisha Thakor May 14, 2010 at 11:21 am

Wise teacher & wise students! Following any one of these tips would propel a career forward & keeping all in mind would turbo charge a life. And this advice isn’t just for new grads. I’m turning 40 years young this year and if forced to pick my top three to start focusing on for this stage in my life (building out my second career) I’d go with:

[1] Be kind, to everyone
[2] Ask for help. You don’t have to do it all alone. (Took me a looooong time to learn this one)
[3] Keep learning. Take classes and learn new skills.

So along those lines, for any woman who is reading this comment, lives in NYC, and is looking for a job – I highly recommend taking one of the LYJ Now workshops; it’s a GREAT way to keep learning and get help from kind people.
Suzanne Grossman May 17, 2010 at 11:03 am

Thanks so much, Manisha! You are a role model of success.

I always include your book – On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girls’ Guide to Personal Finance – on my reading list for both LYJ Search and my college career development class. It is must-read resource.