To stay ahead of the curve in your career requires that you pay special attention to development opportunities. Entering a career is the first step in success. But it doesn’t end there. If you crave a career that is dynamic, growth-oriented, and valuable, then you’ll need to put effort into creating such results.
We sat down with graduate faculty instructor, Adam Lippe, J.D., and he shared some tips for career success.
Tip 1: Be a good ethical person
In order to get hired by a company, you have to be a good ethical person. – A.L.
There are thousands of people applying for the same job with similar technical skills and a similar resume. Lippe explained that character sets one apart from the competition. So bottom line, be the best version of you.
Tip 2: Be real
Everyone makes mistakes. If you’re not making them, chances are you’re not innovating and you’re fearful of questioning the status quo.
Making mistakes is expected. And when you do make a mistake, learn from it and, more importantly, own up to it.” – A.L.
The takeaway here is understanding that perfection is not something you can attain. When you allow yourself to fail and make mistakes, you open up to creative, innovative possibilities.
Tip 3: It’s not what you communicate, it’s how you communicate
Being able to carry on a meaningful conversation is a great asset and will make you a great part of a team, whether that be as an employee, supervisor, or project manager. Many people fear public speaking or sharing their valid opinions, especially if they’re counter to the other person or people. This can hamper your chances of getting ahead.
The reality is that conversations in meetings, texts, and emails communicate a lot about you to those with whom you interact. Having critical conversations in a healthy, professional way, a way that shows your empathy in a given situation, helps you build relationships and move forward in your career. – A.L.
Tip 4: Collaborate
Team building is a critical skill that is inevitable in most every situation, whether it’s within your university or in your profession. Placing yourself in situations that challenge your processes, comfort level, and ability to interact within a diverse set of ideas and topics, can help nurture collaborative skills.
Team building can add value to your career development by teaching you how to be cooperative and empathetic. Graduate school is a great example of how you can build such skills because it’s a collaborative environment that demands cooperation at a high level.” – A.L.
Tip 5: Don’t stop learning
You have to be a lifelong student. Your education should never end. By placing yourself in an environment with a diverse set of people on new topics, concepts, and problems, you will learn valuable insights to bring your career to new heights.
Working with so many different people has taught me things I would never have learned otherwise.” – A.L.
Tip 6: Keep moving
When you’re in your field and not moving, you’re stagnant. And if you’re stagnant, then someone will eventually leapfrog over you. – A.L.
Lippe encourages people to stay in a perpetual state of learning and growing. When you do this, you land in a position that offers great value. Never stop seeking new opportunities, education, and hands-on opportunities. Furthermore, Network with people in and out of your industry to keep yourself in the loop.
If you’re looking to take your career to the next level, consider one of our applied professional master’s or graduate certificate programs at UMBC.
Claim Your Future at UMBC! https://professionalprograms.umbc.edu/