Monday, June 10, 2013
Best Career Book for Class of 2013
What do the principles of entrepreneurship have to teach you about your career, even if you don't want to start your own business?
Everything.
That is the message of the incredible book I just finished reading by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and entrepreneur Ben Casanocha: The Start-up of You.
For the past year I have been living a dream job filled with risk, adventure, and airplanes. If you had asked me when I graduated college if I would have been doing what I'm doing now, I would have just laughed and said that sounds like someone else.
For the past year almost everyone I meet asks me some form of the question "where do you want to go with your career?"
I'm often caught off guard because, honestly, I don't know what the future holds. I love that, but it also scares me sometimes.
My answer to that question usually goes something like this: "I don't know what will come next; I could have never known I'd be where I am now. My only plan is to keep doing what I did to get this far - learn like crazy, meet lots of people who are way cooler than me, and work really hard."
The Start-up of You reinforced that this kind of present-focused, people-focused, and learning-focused "plan" is a good thing (whew - thanks Reid and Ben for making me feel better!).
The truth is, you do want to have some direction, but you must be open to change. If not, opportunities will pass you by.
We don't know what the jobs of tomorrow will look like, so the best thing you can do for your career is to focus on learning today.
Every time someone asks you "what's next" (which they will a lot - it's a human-nature kind of question) take that time to think about what you are doing today.
Are you meeting with an interesting person? Are you reading a new book? Are you applying for a new and challenging learning experience? Are you volunteering for projects that interest you at your current job?
The best way to guarantee a compelling and exciting career for your future is to learn like crazy and surround yourself with people you admire.
Also, read The Start-up of You. It will pump you up for your next adventure, and give you the tools you need to get started.
The adventure (and the learning) has just begun. :)
Disclosure: Unless stated otherwise at the beginning of a post, any book I recommend is because I've read it, loved it, and couldn't keep it to myself. I only share books I think will help you and that I love like crazy.
Everything.
That is the message of the incredible book I just finished reading by LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman and entrepreneur Ben Casanocha: The Start-up of You.
For the past year almost everyone I meet asks me some form of the question "where do you want to go with your career?"
I'm often caught off guard because, honestly, I don't know what the future holds. I love that, but it also scares me sometimes.
My answer to that question usually goes something like this: "I don't know what will come next; I could have never known I'd be where I am now. My only plan is to keep doing what I did to get this far - learn like crazy, meet lots of people who are way cooler than me, and work really hard."
The Start-up of You reinforced that this kind of present-focused, people-focused, and learning-focused "plan" is a good thing (whew - thanks Reid and Ben for making me feel better!).
The truth is, you do want to have some direction, but you must be open to change. If not, opportunities will pass you by.
We don't know what the jobs of tomorrow will look like, so the best thing you can do for your career is to focus on learning today.
Every time someone asks you "what's next" (which they will a lot - it's a human-nature kind of question) take that time to think about what you are doing today.
Are you meeting with an interesting person? Are you reading a new book? Are you applying for a new and challenging learning experience? Are you volunteering for projects that interest you at your current job?
The best way to guarantee a compelling and exciting career for your future is to learn like crazy and surround yourself with people you admire.
Also, read The Start-up of You. It will pump you up for your next adventure, and give you the tools you need to get started.
The adventure (and the learning) has just begun. :)
Disclosure: Unless stated otherwise at the beginning of a post, any book I recommend is because I've read it, loved it, and couldn't keep it to myself. I only share books I think will help you and that I love like crazy.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Ask Isa: "Can I reach my dreams if I had a low HS GPA?"
From the Ask Isa inbox:
Dear Isa,
I want to go into investment banking and work on Wall Street some day, but here is thing: my high school GPA is low, I've never participated in any activities, and I don't have all the prerequisites for a 4-year school.
I've decided to start out at a junior college for a year and hopefully transfer to the University of Pennsylvania (as you can see I have high standards).
Is there still a possibility that I can get into the school if I change things around when I get into junior college, or should I just forget about Penn and look for somewhere different?
Sincerely,
Still a chance?
Dear Still a Chance,
I love that you have high standards and I say go for Penn. However, since I'm not an admissions officer I'm not an expert on how they evaluate transfer students' high school background and what is needed to get admitted (I suggest starting your research by reading everything on their transfer site).
As soon as you can, visit the campus, go on a tour, and meet with an admissions officer so you can ask any questions you have. Ask for brutal honesty.
Especially be sure to ask them to describe their ideal community college transfer student (e.g. what GPA would you need to have, would it be better to transfer after one year or after getting your A.A. degree, what activities would they want to see, etc.)
And even if after all that research you find going to that school won't be a reality because of your high school past, I say keep on going and start looking into the next-best college you'd like to attend. The process of researching options in this way will serve you in every aspect of your life.
It's never too late to reach your dreams. The key is to be open to how you get there. I believe 100% you can make it to Wall Street if you really want it and put in the work.
Community college is a great way to turn your academic past around. I've heard so many stories of students who didn't do well in high school who then get a 4.0 in community college and transfer to a selective university. I believe in most cases low grades are simply a product the natural unmotivated state that results from not seeing how your current actions can help you get somewhere you want to go.
Since you've figured out what you want to do and seem excited about it, you should have the motivation and focus you need to give your 100% to community college.
I also recommend reading How to Become a Straight-A Student and my book Community College Success to ensure you're using the right strategies. Pay close attention to the third section of my book which teaches how to reach out to mentors who have your dream job (e.g. you should be connecting with people in finance as soon as possible, and start researching how to get those coveted internships).
You can do this. Don't give up. Explore every option. And remember there are many avenues to get to where you want to go. People who set big goals, as long as they're not rigid about how they achieve them, succeed far more than they ever would have had they not set goals at all.
Go for it! :)
Sincerely,
Isa
Dear Isa,
I want to go into investment banking and work on Wall Street some day, but here is thing: my high school GPA is low, I've never participated in any activities, and I don't have all the prerequisites for a 4-year school.
I've decided to start out at a junior college for a year and hopefully transfer to the University of Pennsylvania (as you can see I have high standards).
Is there still a possibility that I can get into the school if I change things around when I get into junior college, or should I just forget about Penn and look for somewhere different?
Sincerely,
Still a chance?
Dear Still a Chance,
I love that you have high standards and I say go for Penn. However, since I'm not an admissions officer I'm not an expert on how they evaluate transfer students' high school background and what is needed to get admitted (I suggest starting your research by reading everything on their transfer site).
As soon as you can, visit the campus, go on a tour, and meet with an admissions officer so you can ask any questions you have. Ask for brutal honesty.
Especially be sure to ask them to describe their ideal community college transfer student (e.g. what GPA would you need to have, would it be better to transfer after one year or after getting your A.A. degree, what activities would they want to see, etc.)
And even if after all that research you find going to that school won't be a reality because of your high school past, I say keep on going and start looking into the next-best college you'd like to attend. The process of researching options in this way will serve you in every aspect of your life.
It's never too late to reach your dreams. The key is to be open to how you get there. I believe 100% you can make it to Wall Street if you really want it and put in the work.
Community college is a great way to turn your academic past around. I've heard so many stories of students who didn't do well in high school who then get a 4.0 in community college and transfer to a selective university. I believe in most cases low grades are simply a product the natural unmotivated state that results from not seeing how your current actions can help you get somewhere you want to go.
Since you've figured out what you want to do and seem excited about it, you should have the motivation and focus you need to give your 100% to community college.
I also recommend reading How to Become a Straight-A Student and my book Community College Success to ensure you're using the right strategies. Pay close attention to the third section of my book which teaches how to reach out to mentors who have your dream job (e.g. you should be connecting with people in finance as soon as possible, and start researching how to get those coveted internships).
You can do this. Don't give up. Explore every option. And remember there are many avenues to get to where you want to go. People who set big goals, as long as they're not rigid about how they achieve them, succeed far more than they ever would have had they not set goals at all.
Go for it! :)
Sincerely,
Isa
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
How to turn social media 'friends' into real friends
I'm a huge fan of social media. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Vine, LinkedIn - I love it all.
Since I work from home, social media has become essential not only to building relationships with new clients, but also in helping me keep my sanity. During the slower travel times, working from home makes me miss people. I think of Twitter as my morning 'watercooler' time. :)
But what I love most about social media is when I meet a friend I converse with mostly online, in person. Social media connections become so much deeper when you make the effort to meet in person. Nothing compares.
Try it out this week. Even if it's with a friend who lives just a few miles away but whom you rarely see. :)
Since I work from home, social media has become essential not only to building relationships with new clients, but also in helping me keep my sanity. During the slower travel times, working from home makes me miss people. I think of Twitter as my morning 'watercooler' time. :)
But what I love most about social media is when I meet a friend I converse with mostly online, in person. Social media connections become so much deeper when you make the effort to meet in person. Nothing compares.
Try it out this week. Even if it's with a friend who lives just a few miles away but whom you rarely see. :)
Monday, June 3, 2013
First Job: From Barista to Executive
This summer I connected with some amazing professionals who were willing to share their wisdom. Each profile will feature how their first job out of college led to their amazing careers today (that they love, by the way), as well as their advice to help you do the same.
First Job Profile: Kaycee Kiesz, Diversity & Global Inclusion Manager
1) What was your first job out of college and how did you get it?
I began working part-time as a Barista at Starbucks while attending College pursuing my CPA. My first role after college was as an Auditor. Auditing our daily Starbucks Store sales.
2) What was the most important thing you learned from your first job?
Network. Build mutually-beneficial authentic relationships throughout the organization and with your community.
3) What did you to leverage your first job to help you get where you are today?
Volunteer. Volunteer to work on as many cross-functional teams and projects as possible. Volunteer with non-profits and give back to your community.
4) What advice do you have for recent graduates who are struggling to find their first job after college?
Connect. Connect with as many people as possible, in person, in social media - create a LinkedIn profile and follow companies/brands you admire on Twitter. Many companies post positions on these sites and recruit from them.
---
I want to say a huge thank you to Kaycee for doing this interview. I don't know Kaycee personally, but reached out to her on LinkedIn. Of all of the professionals I reached out to for this, she was the first to respond. It means a lot to us, Kaycee. Thanks!!!
More about Kaycee from her Starbucks Bio:
Kaycee joined Starbucks Retail Operations in 1992. Over her tenure she has been responsible for managing many core partner programs...Kaycee currently manages our Partner Network program which provides a platform for partners to make change, build community, increase engagement and develop professionally.
Kaycee holds two business degrees with emphasis in Business and Accounting, [and] a certificate in Intercultural Competence...Over her 20-year history with Starbucks, Kaycee has organized hundreds of community and partner engagement events; she recently completed a 3-year term on Seafair’s Board of Directors, and is a certified Coffee Master. She enjoys iced decaf americanos on week-days and on weekends indulges in decaf grande non-fat lattes.
Kaycee was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2001. She has embraced this challenge by becoming an advocate for research, friend to others newly diagnosed, a top-fundraiser and spokesperson for the National MS Society. In her spare time, Kaycee enjoys travel, yoga and humanitarian efforts.
In the past 24 months, she has traveled with the YMCA to Thailand to build a school for children with intellectually disabilities, helped plan a wellness yoga retreat in Bali, and hiked Sugar Loaf Mountain in Brazil.
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