Child Safety & CSAM Prevention Policy
To find a career path you can thrive in long-term, you have to align 3 things...
1. Do something that creates value for businesses
2. Bring or build useful skills where you over-index
3. Find a way to make it fun and interesting
1+2 can work short-term, but without 3 you'll get bored and there's no way you can put in the effort to become truly great.
If you're having a hard time finding your niche early on (I did) here are some strategies you can think about:
1. Assess yourself
-- what do you love doing? (doesn't have to be business related)
-- what are your biggest strengths?
2. Research what other people do
-- talk to ChatGPT about your answers to 1 above and ask for career paths
-- reach out to folks for informational interviews to ask about their roles
3. Try learning a new skill
-- to test a potential path, pick up a related course or book and learn a little
-- if it's fun, that's a good sign. If not, maybe reconsider
4. Network / build your personal brand
-- this can help increase your opportunities / at bats
-- the more people who know you and have a positive opinion of you, the more doors open
-- consider platforms like LinkedIn and find the people in industries you're interested who are active
5. Pick up a part-time project
-- sometimes your employer might let you pick up a small project in a related area (my example: was an Analyst, picked up Paid Search management)
-- other times, you might look for a part-time side project outside your current employer
-- you could consider a free project for a volunteer org if you're able
6. Keep your head up and eyes open
-- sometimes the best opportunity for you is one you hadn't even considered
-- always be ready, pay attention, and keep talking to people
-- if a great opportunity presents itself, be ready to jump (it's okay to be a little scared)
And don't freak out if you aren't having a ton of fun in your early role(s).
It got more fun when I learned how to lean into areas that I found more interesting.
So hang in there, build your skills, and keep your eyes open.
1. Do something that creates value for businesses
2. Bring or build useful skills where you over-index
3. Find a way to make it fun and interesting
1+2 can work short-term, but without 3 you'll get bored and there's no way you can put in the effort to become truly great.
If you're having a hard time finding your niche early on (I did) here are some strategies you can think about:
1. Assess yourself
-- what do you love doing? (doesn't have to be business related)
-- what are your biggest strengths?
2. Research what other people do
-- talk to ChatGPT about your answers to 1 above and ask for career paths
-- reach out to folks for informational interviews to ask about their roles
3. Try learning a new skill
-- to test a potential path, pick up a related course or book and learn a little
-- if it's fun, that's a good sign. If not, maybe reconsider
4. Network / build your personal brand
-- this can help increase your opportunities / at bats
-- the more people who know you and have a positive opinion of you, the more doors open
-- consider platforms like LinkedIn and find the people in industries you're interested who are active
5. Pick up a part-time project
-- sometimes your employer might let you pick up a small project in a related area (my example: was an Analyst, picked up Paid Search management)
-- other times, you might look for a part-time side project outside your current employer
-- you could consider a free project for a volunteer org if you're able
6. Keep your head up and eyes open
-- sometimes the best opportunity for you is one you hadn't even considered
-- always be ready, pay attention, and keep talking to people
-- if a great opportunity presents itself, be ready to jump (it's okay to be a little scared)
And don't freak out if you aren't having a ton of fun in your early role(s).
It got more fun when I learned how to lean into areas that I found more interesting.
So hang in there, build your skills, and keep your eyes open.
To find a career path you can thrive in long-term, you have to align 3 things...
1. Do something that creates value for businesses
2. Bring or build useful skills where you over-index
3. Find a way to make it fun and interesting
1+2 can work short-term, but without 3 you'll get bored and there's no way you can put in the effort to become truly great.
If you're having a hard time finding your niche early on (I did) here are some strategies you can think about:
1. Assess yourself
-- what do you love doing? (doesn't have to be business related)
-- what are your biggest strengths?
2. Research what other people do
-- talk to ChatGPT about your answers to 1 above and ask for career paths
-- reach out to folks for informational interviews to ask about their roles
3. Try learning a new skill
-- to test a potential path, pick up a related course or book and learn a little
-- if it's fun, that's a good sign. If not, maybe reconsider
4. Network / build your personal brand
-- this can help increase your opportunities / at bats
-- the more people who know you and have a positive opinion of you, the more doors open
-- consider platforms like LinkedIn and find the people in industries you're interested who are active
5. Pick up a part-time project
-- sometimes your employer might let you pick up a small project in a related area (my example: was an Analyst, picked up Paid Search management)
-- other times, you might look for a part-time side project outside your current employer
-- you could consider a free project for a volunteer org if you're able
6. Keep your head up and eyes open
-- sometimes the best opportunity for you is one you hadn't even considered
-- always be ready, pay attention, and keep talking to people
-- if a great opportunity presents itself, be ready to jump (it's okay to be a little scared)
And don't freak out if you aren't having a ton of fun in your early role(s).
It got more fun when I learned how to lean into areas that I found more interesting.
So hang in there, build your skills, and keep your eyes open.
