Your journey through the global market

Starting a new career, while very exciting, comes with its own challenges. You have just finished University and landed your first (dream?) job. The world is at your fingertips but how do you make the most of what is in front of you?

It is a common conception that success in any given field is only achieved by completing the relevant Higher education course. While it does give you a head start, it is not a requirement for success. Education very rarely provides you with the necessary knowledge to go into a job with flying colours. The world is constantly changing and evolving. In the past, it would be common for somebody to have the same job for his whole working life. This is not the case anymore. Nowadays, people change career fields numerous times so instead of a career which is typically associated with one field of work, you can view it as your own journey through the global market.

For many, their first job is solely determined by the education path taken. In fact, some use their degree to justify their career rather than to follow their passion and interest. This in some ways removes the uncertainty that comes with having various opportunities but lacking the specific skill-set to make you feel ready for the real life that follows University. Others, including myself, choose to explore the wide array of choice that the world presents. There is no right or wrong option here, everyone can achieve a rewarding professional life. What both groups of people will quickly come to realise is that even though is that there is a lot more required than what the job title may suggest. Modern companies work in teams and the borders for each job are blurred so you have to be able to adapt and not afraid to tackle new challenges.

Recently I came across the following article about Passion at work. It provides a very interesting perspective on the distribution of the workers with passion across the companies hierarchy. It outlines the importance of passionate employees and their value to the company. If you happen to be lucky enough to love your job, use that to bring the best out of yourself and the rewards will undoubtedly follow. If you feel stuck at your job, consider what motivates you. Perhaps a new hobby or a change in your life outside of work will make you click and improve your performance and happiness.

In the past, changing careers was regarded as a failure to succeed. Forget about that. Change will eventually come and it is always for the better. If you’ve had a failed start up idea, don’t give up. Learn from you mistakes, improve and make the next one work. Stagnation is worse than failure. There have been many companies that got to the top but failed to adapt and innovate. The hunger for success will always push the person/company to the top. Even if you find yourself there, but feel washed up and failing it may be time for a change. Look at it as an opportunity to rise to the top again.