Take-Away Career Advice

I attended my first Business Women’s Round Table with the Chamber of Commerce on July 15. It was a room full of welcoming business women in our community. I finally met Kim Connolly face-to-face, as well as many others I interact with on a weekly basis for work. It’s funny how social media has connected the community, making it easier to reach the right people quickly, but, it is always nice to meet people face-to-face, too.

I was moved by the July 15 Business Women’s Round Table speaker Dr. Billy Cannaday, dean of the UVA School of Continuing & Professional Studies. He offered uniquely personal perspectives on the topic: “Stepping Up to Opportunity: How do you decide if it’s time to seek ‘stepping opportunities’?”

The first thing he said, and it really struck a cord with me, is that career is more about a random set of events than a linear path. “Life is just a series of getting knocked down and getting back up again,” he said. “And if you get up first you have a chance.”

Here are some career tips he offered that can apply to just about anyone.

1. Figure out what drives you and what excites you—and know the difference. Sometimes it’s knowing what you do not want to do—and that’s something you’ll have to discover on your own.

2. Figure out your motives and understand them. Balance your head and your heart.

3. Know your strengths—what helps you during time of great difficulties—and write them down. Know, also your blind spots.

4. Develop a lifelong learning plan. Figure out the organization (or industry) you want to be in and learn—deeply learn—what is important to that organization and what matters. Plan, prioritize, execute and adjust (you’ve got to make sure you’re adaptable). Be kinder to each other—it’s OK to fail, it’s how you learn.

5. Remain true to your core values. Dr. Cannaday asks himself—could I say it to my grandmother without a lot of explaining of why he did it. People may not like you all of the time, but they will respect you, he said.

6. Find mentors. No one person can give you all that you need. They will help you be in touch with your strengths—and blind spots. They will be encouraging. They will teach you (is an enabler). It may be someone you watch from afar or talk to on a regular basis.