things I wish someone would have told me before starting my career

This graduation season brings feelings of accomplishment, relief, pride, joy and excitement. It’s a time for reminiscing of memories made, wins achieved and navigating a few failures with lessons learned. It’s experiencing the anticipation of what’s next and the path ahead.

With almost two decades into a career in marketing and communications, I look back at the fond time of a college chapter ending and want to share one thing I’d wish I had known for those embarking on a new beginning.  

Your first (second, or even third!) job may not be your “dream job,” and that’s ok. You will take pieces of those professional experiences and the people you meet along with you on your career journey. And that will shape you and give you the opportunity to develop relationships that will take you even further than you could imagine.

Coming out of college with a summer marketing internship under my belt within the industry I wanted desperately to be in, I had “experience,” connections (or so I thought), and a degree on paper that I thought made me perfect for my dream job. With an Ann Taylor suit, I was ready to take on the world as a career woman. But, the company I wanted to work for didn’t have an available opening. What was I to do?

I interviewed and was offered a job with my college bestie working at a new jewelry chain store opening in my city. I bought a pearl ring with my employee discount and learned about the 3 C’s of color, cut and clarity. I walked away with new knowledge, sales skills and a better understanding of how an unknown brand launches in a new market.

Then my “dream job” came open. I spent a few years learning all I could of the business and roles beyond marketing and got my hands dirty. I had a fantastic mentor and was given the opportunity to be promoted and relocated to a new city to grow within the company. I was recently sitting in an airport and was reminded of this first ”dream job” and how far I have come. I texted this first group I worked with and was flushed with the memories of 18 years ago of conference room birthday celebrations, budget meetings, client presentations, annual conferences, holiday parties, dirty Santa games and team lunches. Relationships matter.

Life happened and after two years into my “career,” I left the company to relocate back on my terms and was suddenly out of the industry. My heart pulled me one way and my head the other. A friend knew of a company that was hiring, and I went to work for a well-known waste collection company in a role that put me behind the headset and computer trying to retain dumpster container contracts—literally talking about trash.

While “talking trash” daily was by no means what I had envisioned as a “dream job,” this experience has carried me further in my professional roles, giving me a better understanding of the processes of a large working company, identifying the needs of the client and overcoming objections in conversations, and giving yourself and others grace along the way. It gave me experience.

Fortunately, the hard work and positive relationships I maintained from my original internship and working with my previous company allowed me to return to the industry and enjoy a 15+ year career of growing, learning, leading, building community, and navigating changes and relationships that I will have for a lifetime. These relationships have led me to the second chapter in my career, using skills and knowledge and providing an opportunity to learn in a new industry and lead again.

As you may be embarking on a new chapter, whether it be graduation or a career change, know that change is inevitable. You will take away valuable experiences and make relationships along the way.

Lindy Mullen, Choice Media and Communications Business Development Manager