Takeaways

1. Trust your instincts and embrace unexpected opportunities.
2. Embrace side hustles for personal and professional growth.
3. Commit to long-term growth and adaptability.
4. Maintain an abundance mindset and trust the journey.

Action Items That May Help You If You are Just Starting Out Your Career

1. Visualize success: Take time to envision what success looks like to you in your internship or first job. Imagine yourself thriving, learning, and building valuable connections. Set clear goals and work towards them.
2. Foster curiosity: Approach your job with a thirst for knowledge. Learn about the company, industry, and job responsibilities. Connect with people from different departments and seek opportunities to expand your understanding and skills. Continuously add value and ask questions to gain insights.
3. Cultivate an abundance mindset: Shift your mindset from fear and scarcity to abundance. Recognize that there will be ups and downs, regrets, and pleasant surprises along your career journey. Believe in your abilities and trust that the right opportunities will come your way.
4. Embrace the journey: Embrace the challenges and surprises that come your way. See closed doors as redirections to something even more extraordinary. Trust yourself and the process, and remain open-minded to the twists and turns that can lead to unexpected growth and success.

As I reflect upon my career journey after speaking with a rising college senior, I am compelled to share the valuable lessons I've learned along the way. Graduating during a recession and facing stiff competition, I found myself making $16.80 per hour as a sales admin assistant with a Bachelors's and Master's degrees from the most expensive university at that time. It wasn't the dream career start I had envisioned but little did I know that it was the beginning of a transformative, divine path. The reality is I was naive, highly stressed, and possessed severely low self-esteem. My advice to those struggling with the same as you are starting your career path is to trust your instincts, embrace unexpected opportunities, and develop an abundance mindset as early as possible.

Trusting Your Gut and Your Supervisor

During those uncertain times, I encountered a supervisor who recognized my potential but couldn't offer immediate advancement. She assured me that she would help me get on track within a year. Despite feeling and being told I was overqualified for the assistant job, I chose to trust her and my instincts. This decision turned out to be pivotal in my career. Sometimes, our initial circumstances don't align with our aspirations or others' expectations. Still, we can uncover unexpected possibilities by staying open-minded and having faith in the process.

Embracing Side Hustles

Due to the low-pressure day job, I was subconsciously staying open to other opportunities to make some extra money to pay my bills. The universe presented me with a side hustle as a promo model specializing in booze and giving shots at bars. I earned $25 per hour on the weekends and evenings. Although it wasn't my primary career path, it allowed me to explore the city, connect with all kinds of people, and learn skills that applied to my career. Bonus, these gigs sponsored my early 20s lifestyle with my friends. I ended up doing this for six years, and it evolved over time. I ended up becoming a brand ambassador, and unexpectedly, I met my life partner along this journey. This highlights the importance of embracing opportunities that may not fit the traditional career narrative but can profoundly impact our personal and professional lives.

Following the Divine Path

As I continued to navigate my career, I spent 12 years with the same company, immersing myself in various domains and acquiring diverse skills. This prolonged commitment might seem daunting in a world where job-hopping is common, but it gave me a deep understanding of the organization, allowed me to become adaptable, and opened doors to gaining highly transferable skills. I can't tell you if it was the right or wrong decision that I stayed with a company for this long. I can confirm it was the divine path for me. I continuously gained new skills and enjoyed the company's perks. At the same time, I wish I was operating from a position of power and self-confidence rather than fear and lack of self-worth. It's crucial to remember that every experience, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is meant to be and contributes to your growth and development. 

Here are tips for soon-to-be graduates and anyone starting their careers:

1. Visualize Success: As you embark on your internship or first job, take the time to envision what success looks like to you. Imagine yourself thriving in the role, learning from your experiences, and building valuable connections.
2. Curiosity is Key: Approach your new job with a thirst for knowledge. Learn about the company, the industry, and the job at hand. Meet as many people and departments as you can. Seek opportunities to expand your understanding and skills, continuously add value and ask questions to gain insights.
3. Embrace an Abundance Mindset: Rather than succumbing to fear and scarcity, adopt an abundance mindset. Understand there will be ups and downs, regrets, and pleasant surprises. Believe that the right opportunities will come your way, and have confidence in your abilities.
4. Trust the Journey: Sometimes, what may appear as a closed door is actually a redirection toward something even more extraordinary. Trust in yourself and the process. Embrace the unexpected twists and turns, which often lead to unexpected joys and successes.

Our career paths and professional development are rarely linear and predictable. You will uncover a world of opportunities and personal fulfillment by trusting your gut, embracing side hustles, committing to long-term growth, and maintaining an abundance mindset. Your journey may not unfold as you initially imagined, but remember that the universe has a way of aligning things in your favor.

Also, in the end, your career is not just about reaching a destination; it's about the growth, relationships, and personal development you experience along the way. Embrace the challenges, welcome the surprises, and always keep an open mind. Your path may lead you to unimaginable heights and incredible success.

Remember that you have the power to shape your career and create a future that exceeds your wildest dreams. Believe in yourself, stay resilient, and embrace the journey with open arms. The best is yet to come.