Several years ago, my son Dustin and I visited Vanderbilt University for an official college visit.
As we listened to the school list out what they look for in a successful applicant, I realized that a parent needs to prepare their child for college admission probably at age 11, when they enter middle school. After all, if a college looks for high school success, which includes academic rigor, good grades, high SAT/ACT, and community involvement, the student might want to consider a private high school. To get into that private school, then realize they too have requirements that involve good grades, academic rigor, and community service. You may not find those in a public school or you’ll have to get your kid into a Magnet program.
And of course this just gets you into college.
You have to think about the career path you want to follow, your goals and your plans, then think about the right college that will have the right program that will be able to get you into that right first job.
And then of course you have to pay attention to how you select mentors in that first job and think about what special assignments you want to take on. Then realize you might have to move to a few different companies and geographic locations to get the opportunities to move to the next step.
The bottom line: Life moves forward on a series of building blocks and the sooner you realize that and make your plan, the better chance you have of succeeding.
What won’t work?
- “Winging it” and thinking you’ll figure it out when you need to.
- Procrastinating – thinking you can get caught up on the planning later.
- Victim-stance – thinking that people like you are screwed and circumstances dictate that you can’t make it.
- Waiting for someone to do it for you.
- Giving up because you think it’s too late.
What will work?
- Thinking about your life like it was a corporation and you need a strategic plan to ensure viability.
- Doing some career research about your field of interest and see where it’s heading taking into consideration technology and demographics.
- Surrounding yourself with lots of people who can be your own board of advisors.
- Reaching out for help.
Shortly after we came back from the visit, I received an email from a young man who I met at career day at the local high school. He was depressed because he felt he had no clear career plan and he was seeing his older siblings and relatives getting college scholarships. He didn’t have a clear plan for his career and it worried him. Did I mention he was a sophomore in high school? This young man had it figured out! I worked with him because he realized the importance of career building blocks.
Have you thought about your career lately? If not, maybe it’s time to put down that foundation and get busy building. I can help if you need it. Just let me know if you need it.
