July 21, 2006
Case Study: Bright Future
This week I spoke with Lynn, who recently entered the job market with an associate’s degree. Lynn is a great example of a fledgling member of the workforce who can develop her Intrepreneurial sensibilities to get ahead in her career.
What is your current job title? Executive Assistant.
What do you do? I am the Executive Assistant to a VP. I gather information and put it into an easily digestible form. I also communicate with our consultants and make sure they have all the tools and information they need. Right now, I’m planning our annual conference and making the arrangements for that.
What are you most satisfied with in your current job? My company writes and implements curriculum for schools, and we teach children to read. My co-workers are easy to get along with. There is a very team-oriented atmosphere, which I enjoy.
It sounds as though Lynn’s work environment is conducive to open discussion, new ideas, and growth. That gives Lynn great opportunities to make an impact and advance her career.
What are your career goals for the next few years? I want to be a manager, and not an assistant in the department. My company is growing, and I believe in ten years there will be maybe five of me. I’d like to be in charge of them.
I love how Lynn is thinking ahead and envisioning growth and opportunity for herself and her company. This path is wide open for her, and if she is diligent about her work, she can definitely grow into a management role.
What are your career strengths? I’m very organized. I juggle a lot of different schedules and projects, so I have to stay on top of the details. I’m also pretty self confident, most of the time. I have ideas for improvement, and I’m not afraid to express them. At my suggestion, we have streamlined several processes that used to be big headaches for everyone. I love to see things getting better.
That’s an excellent formula for success. She’s starting out in a support role, assisting an executive and planning events that impact everyone in the company. She’s making contacts, projecting her personal image and brand, and developing new ways to improve business. I have a feeling she won’t be an assistant for long.
What are your weaknesses? I don’t take criticism well, even if it’s wrapped in praise. Sometimes I worry that I will hit a ceiling without a bachelor’s degree.
Lynn is young, and just getting started, so further education is always a possibility for her. She may be able to get what she needs from experience, but the opportunity for training is always there. We talked about constructive criticism as a tool for growth. Customer perception, positive or negative, informs you of what you can do to generate greater value and enjoy increased opportunity in the future.
In your work, what unique value do you offer? I handle stress well, and this is a very high stress department. I keep a level head and it helps others to remain calm.
Do you use relationships to help you in your career? If so, how? Definitely. I am very friendly with my boss. We take time to chat at least once a day. She respects and appreciates me. I’ve talked about potential for advancement, and she seems to be very supportive of my long-term goals.
Excellent work, Lynn! She’s using relationships to move her career forward. She’s got the appreciation and support of an important figure in the company, and she’s setting herself up for future success. Her aims are clear, and she has already begun to brand herself as personable, professional, and ambitious. She knows where she stands and how she is perceived, and she is poised to use those advantages to make great things happen for herself.
How are you perceived by your coworkers and supervisor? Friendly, upbeat, and organized.
Lynn is a very outgoing person who has the power to motivate people and put them in a good mood. With her positive attitude and strong work ethic, I can see her going far in whatever area she chooses.
What is the single most important thing you can do to maximize your career success? Be prepared, remain focused, and commit to doing a great job every day.
That’s pretty much the Career Intensity philosophy in a nutshell!
Filed under: Personal Strategic Planning
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