WORK

My Nephew is Seeking Career Success — Here’s What I Told Him

A note to my nephew

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I have a nephew who reminds me of myself, the me from thirty years ago — aggressive, wanting to excel, battling the other “bright boys” also competing on the fast track and hoping to score a cushy corner office on the tenth floor of the corporate office.

I have no idea if he’ll read this. And if he does, if he’ll recognize the similarities — where I’ve come from and where he’s likely headed. I hope he’ll see the commonalities, and understand how quickly they can become consequences.

For the last several years, he’s been following the path laid out for him.

The same path that has lured generations of young men and women before him, hoping it leads to the mother lode.

But just in case it doesn’t — just in case the promises made by supervisors and managers don’t come to pass, or budget restrictions, company politics, and buy-outs suddenly derail his timeline for advancement — I’d like to offer a few suggestions:

Temper your enthusiasm for your job with the understanding that you’re following a plan made by someone else.