We asked W. P. Carey Alumni: What is a career challenge you have faced and what advice do you have based on how you overcame it?
Here is what they shared:
- Build a Supportive Network
- Seize Opportunities for Growth
- Stay Ahead in AI Advancements
Build a Supportive Network
Originally, post-graduation, I had no focus on industry, job, etc., and narrowing down the type of job I wanted, let alone could do, was numbingly scary and often defeating. I didn’t quite overcome it intentionally, as in hindsight, I realized new connections I was making led me to better opportunities and feedback. The boring answer, I networked. The truth, I just made more friends with people I genuinely was interested in learning more about and helping.
Juan Kingsbury, BS Global Business ‘04, Talent Strategist, Career Blindspot
Seize Opportunities for Growth
One significant career challenge I faced was at my first job out of college, where I worked in marketing for a chiropractic office. The compensation was modest, which made it financially challenging. However, I viewed this role as an opportunity to grow and acquire hands-on experience. After six months of dedication and learning, I was able to parlay that experience into a position as a marketing manager for a chain of chiropractic offices. This new role not only came with a substantial pay increase but also allowed me to fully utilize and expand upon the skills I had developed. Taking that initial job, despite its limitations, opened the door to greater opportunities I wouldn’t have accessed otherwise.
Joe Forte, BIS Small Business and Communications ‘10, Co-Founder, D-MAK Productions
Stay Ahead in AI Advancements
A massive career challenge I have faced is the recent advancements in AI. As an automation engineer, AI has opened countless possibilities for increased automation, introducing a new suite of key skills. Gaining these skills is what helped me overcome the challenge. It is important to stay ahead of the game in your sector in terms of keeping track of new advancements. By doing so, you will not only protect yourself from falling behind but also help establish yourself as an expert in the space.
Dave Syms, BS Computer Science ‘22, Automation Software Engineer, Workflws
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