Career advice you should probably ignore

That’s exactly what this week’s post is about. Don’t take this advice.

Careers are full of advice; some helpful, some not. Some even just flat out wrong.

To be fair though; some of our career experiences are not chosen; they’re inherited. We absorb the advice and guidance we take from parents, bosses, peers, teachers, executives, that one actor on that one show (sure, they give us career advice sometimes too).

And once we absorb all this knowledge and wisdom, sometimes it harden into a series of truths (whether actually true or not), and these “truths” guide us through our decision-making, way beyond our career experiences too.

Just like becoming products of our environments as we grow up, we become products of these career “truths” which shape how we make decisions and move through our careers. But if we don’t ask questions and challenge what has seemingly become a series of career norms, then we limit what’s actually possible.

I’m done being philosophical, let’s jump in. Here’s a series of career myths; basically, career advice you should ignore.

1. “Networking is fake and only for extroverts.” Couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s relationship-building, not being able to be “on” and go 5 hours at a social event trying to collect as many business cards and Linkedin connections as you can (that’s not effective or efficient, anyway). Networking isn’t about the loudest in the room. It’s about listening thoughtfully, it’s about asking questions, it’s about being curious, and it’s about showing up.

2. “You have to stay in the same industry to advance.” Today, it goes beyond industry-specific experience. Employers want to see adaptability, resilience, problem-solving, a high degree of collaboration, and that you can deliver results.

3. “If you’re good at your job, opportunities will find you.” Don’t assume your results speak for themselves. Sometimes, leaders and decision-makers won’t be able to fully connect the dots with your work and it’s up to you to communicate what you’ve done and the results you’ve delivered, and even more so, how it has made an impact on the organization. Being good at your stop is step 1 (maybe even step 0); you gotta do the work to make yourself known and that you can deliver.

4. “You need to know exactly what you want to do before you start.” Most careers are shaped through experimentation, trial, and error. Take it from me; I started my career telling myself I would be working in higher education for the rest of my life. Now, I’m in tech with no plans to go back to academia. Waiting until you know for sure what you’d like to do can lead to stagnation. This is a sentiment shared by Youtubers a lot — just start.

5. “More degrees equal more success.” Not necessarily. In fact, I have three of them, and I’m not “using” a single one of them. I have the education under my belt, of which I’m very proud of, but it doesn’t define my career. Also, employers today, especially in corporate, are looking for relevant skills, and measurable results in previous positions, not degrees.

6. “Only managers lead.” Leadership isn’t defined by title, but rather, influence, initiative, and the ability to move a project from just an idea to a fully executed product. Leadership is a habit. Demonstrating it can accelerate your career fast than you think. Take ownership and step up.

7. “Switching jobs too often ruins your résumé.” Everyone has a story to tell. The resume gives us the surface layer of the story; it’s only words on a page. I stayed 7mo each, at two consecutive roles, and I thought my career would be ruined. It was foolish of me think that. I had reasoning for it, I explained it, and it all worked out. Sure, maybe you’ve switched jobs after a short period of time, but hey, you have the experience nonetheless. Capitalize on that!

Thanks for reading and for being here. I don’t take for granted that you care what I have to say. Or even if you don’t care, and you’re still here; thanks for being a fan anyway. ❣️

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