I just did two posts on LinkedIn recently asking people for their advice for new graduates and got so many amazing ideas in the comments, here is a selection of them. The posts are here and here. What would you add? Drop me a line as I might keep adding them here! steven@theseeds.nz
Also made it an audio version for an episode of seeds which you can find here as well:
- What you do today doesn’t have to be what you do forever. Kate Bevin
- Not sure what you want? Say yes to as many new experiences as possible. Then, once you have an idea of what suits you – say no to everything else and go all in. Jen Stevie
- Embrace a mindset of constant learning and to actively seek out mentorship and opportunities. Danny Blackwell.
- Say “yes” to every opportunity or project that comes your way no matter how leftfield … you never know where it will lead! Claire Baldwin.
- Everything passes, all is temporary, nothing will matter in 500 years’ time. Therefore, you get to define the meaning of your career, your life and your time on Earth. Jamil Eldar
- Look for meaning in your work and stay true to yourself. Fiona Stephenson
- Aim high and stay the course – you can actually move mountains with the depth of your will and desire. If anything comes easy or fast, it is not worth your devotion. Ganesh Iyer
- Be open and curious. Jeremy Muir
- Follow the things you enjoy, taking those opportunities in areas of your job that you’re curious about or often trying new things and these things can become a new direction…I was lucky I knew from early on I wanted to work with people & then just loved getting people jobs and this has been my theme… Paul Swettenham
- Careers can be successful and satisfying on a single path, across multiple paths, seemingly not following any path at all, or any combination at different points of time. I believe it’s important to reflect, be open to opportunities, and always be alert to; what is happening, how you are doing, and who you are being and becoming. Sunil Unka
- I always say “head in the direction you want to go/interested in”. Jenn Benden.
- Take the approach of your career / life being an adventure to explore. Navigating braided rivers can be so fulfilling, plus it has the added bonus of keeping life interesting. Pete Howard
- The career as a scenic tour… it doesn’t suit everybody, but it suits me! Paul McGregor
- When joining a board a few years back, the comment was made that I seem to go where I feel I can add value. And that’s true. If I cannot add value I shouldn’t be there 🙂 Phil Newman
- Embrace all training opportunities provided by your employer. Leigh Fenigsohn
- There are a million ways to get from birth to death, and every one works Kaila Colbin
- I loved this kōrero over a tasty kai and kawhe. And my response is – the best careers are those filled with diversity. Whether in orgs, place, or capabilities. So the first job is exactly that – the first of many to come! Anna Watson
- I call mine a non-linear career. Louisa Taylor
- I have certainly NOT had clear straight path in life and frankly wouldn’t want it any other way. Life isn’t a destination, it’s a journey of continual navigation. Mine has taken me all over the place from living in the bush solo and showering under a waterfall to consulting with corporates in big cities. Take the winding path!!!! Edwin Dando
- Build your industry connections and network. Rachel Tobeck.
- Food for thought, Steven. My advice would be embrace the opportunities on offer, go over and beyond, learn as much as you can and above all, stay true to yourself! Florina Pirnea
- Ask questions. Listen to the answers and advice. Ask thoughtful follow up questions. Listen carefully. Repeat. Try the advice and don’t avoid imperfection. Keep asking, listening, and trying things. Matt Perry
- Never stop learning – focus on the soft skills and self awareness rather than technical skills. Linda Scott.
- That sometimes the biggest impact you (can) make is with people and collegial relationships … To be a kind, helpful, encouraging human being is often more of an enduring legacy than your work/output in and of itself. Megan Blakie
- Consider that you were born innately gifted. There will be a wee small voice that is inside you saying “this is where I excel, and this is where I don’t”. So my advice is to not ignore that wee small voice. Oh… and the voice speaks no matter what your qualifications are. Malcolm Sproull
- If you are starting a project or business work out what you want to achieve. Knowing what success looks like helps you to make good decisions. Miles Dalton
- Soak it all in!! Learn from everyone around you regardless of their role in the business, listen, be curious, be open to all things that come your way – it’s all experience! MOST OF ALL build relationships!! Meryll Waters
- You’re here be because you are one of the best at what you do. Don’t internalise anything the door is always open. Everyone makes mistakes and don’t get upset if you make any. Speak to someone who can help you fix it. And don’t spill anything on clients. That’s it. Warwick Anderson
- My career path has certainly been a braided river, just like Hannah Duder’s and I strongly suspect that this will be the case for more and more people driven by technology advancements. The softer human skills are what will be needed more and more, the things that technology can’t replace. Finally, do what you love and don’t be afraid to change paths. Many skills are transferrable. Amy Carter
- Don’t worry if your grand career plan changes trajectory – find the aspect of the job you love.. (the bit that you can’t believe someone pays you to do) and grow that part and see where it takes you! Joy Reid
- If you are starting a project or business work out what you want to achieve. Knowing what success looks like helps you to make good decisions. But not just professional goals – what lifestyle do you want this to provide for you? If you can’t achieve your personal goals within your professional goals then it will be unsustainable. Miles Dalton
- I love having a few things on the go and realising what the limit is and when there’s more capacity to give. Kate Radcliffe-Reid
- Be curious, learn something new everyday, be open minded to new ideas & always act in a way that is true to yourself. Brett Boag
- These are all valid suggestions. I would like to add that if you see someone you admire, ask if they would be willing to catch up for an occasional coffee (or on line) to mentor you. Helen McLeod
- Recession proof yourself. What skills allows you too work in good times and recessionary times. Tim W
- Don’t box yourself in. Follow your interests and heart, and nurture both in everything you do while knowing context change is out of your control but how you change with it is entirely within your control. Callum McKirdy
- Be open minded to every opportunity that comes your way. You never know where it might lead and what undiscovered skills you didn’t know you had. Julie Lee
- My little bits: 1. Aim high and stay the course – you can actually move mountains with the depth of your will and desire. 2. If anything comes easy or fast, it is not worth your devotion. 3. Wealth will chase worthy causes. You may well chase the latter and let the former chase you. 4. Build a family that grounds you solid and gives you sound sleep. 5. Work on your health and find your daily dose of laughter. And lastly: Believe. Ganesh Iyer
- Don’t worry about salary, worry about what you will learn. Work for free if you have to. The earlier you gain knowledge, the more cumulative impact it has over the course of your life (much like saving money). David Carter
- And mine was: Be willing to take risks particularly at the start of your career, ask yourself what your 85 year old self would think – would there be regret over not pushing out into new things?
What is your advice?
Pip Calleja hope all this helps!
