Notes from the Field

🤝 Developing strong collaboration skills is more critical than ever. ⁠ ⁠ ⚡ Simply put: the requirements and needs for any role or job are too demanding, complex, and ever-changing to be handled by a single individual's expertise. ⁠ ⁠ 🧠 The world today (and tomorrow) requires an interdisciplinary approach, integrating and engaging multiple people to accomplish the things that need to get done.⁠ ⁠ Read more to develop your collaborative skills & mindset >> #notesfromthefield #earlycareermentor #softskills #collaboration

Effective communication is more than just exchanging information; it is about understanding the intent behind the message and ensuring clarity in your interactions. Considering your audience, medium, and delivery will determine how effectively you communicate with others. Read more about how to develop & practice your communication skills >> #notesfromthefield #earlycareermentor #softskills #communication #skilldevelopment

🎓️ College can’t teach you the answer this one simple question:⁠ ⁠ ✨️How will you learn to live a good life?✨️⁠ ⁠ As the kids head to school and young professionals step into their early career, we're sharing a few insights from our own experience. Let us know what advice you have to share (and which thoughts resonate most with you) >>

A hard truth: you will not always know the answer to solve a problem. So what do you do? Rather than relying on always having the answer, critical thinking and problem solving skills provide a structured approached to think on your feet, assess problems, address constraints or opportunities, and find solutions. These skills enable the ability to approach new ideas and perspectives regardless of hard knowledge or experience. Read more to develop your critical thinking & problem solving abilities >> #notesfromthefield #earlycareermentor #softskills #criticalthinking #problemsolving #skilldevelopment

To put it simply: while hard skills might get you in the door, it's your soft skills that will help you negotiate the hallway of success. This is the balance that not only makes you a valuable team member but also a joy to work with. Read more about our upcoming series on Cultivating Soft Skills >> #notesfromthefield #earlycareermentor #softskills #hardskills #skilldevelopment

Approximately 37% of adults in the United States hold a bachelor's degree. In 2012, less than 10% of U.S.-based roles were open to applicants without a college degree, regardless of other qualifications. Today, more than half of U.S.-based roles are open to applicants without a college degree. Why? Historically, a bachelor’s degree was seen as a proxy for collaboration skills, a sense of initiative, and the ability to think critically. But there is a lack of evidence to support this notion. Making the investment requires serious consideration - and a strategic plan to ensure this investment pays off in your career. Read more for our perspective >> #notesfromthefield #earlycareermentor #collegedegree #jobmarket #openroles #hiring

💡 An idea that grew from open-ended questions sent via postal mail transformed into the digital era for all to enjoy >> Since January 2024, Notes from the Field has grown from a handful of friends & family patiently learning with us and into an organic engine that reaches both our intended audience - students transitioning into the first five years of their career - as well as mid- and late-career professionals reflecting on their own growth journey. 📅 Six months in, let's talk about the three key themes we've learned along the way >> #notesfromthefield #careermentor #sixmonthreflection

❓ Do you trust people? ❓ Do people trust you? In both our personal and professional lives, trust is the cornerstone that supports strong relationships, effective collaboration, and meaningful achievements. It's more than a nice-to-have quality; it's a fundamental building block for any successful endeavor. Read more on the "trust equation" and how to cultivate (and erode) trust >> #notesfromthefield #careermentor #trust

💡 Feedback is a conversation that’s rooted in the need or desire for improvement, often associated with beneficial constructive (helping you build) or corrective (helping you re-align) action. But - there is good feedback and bad feedback. How do you distinguish which is which? Read more about how to ask for & receive feedback - and ensure feedback is beneficial for your goals >> Thank you to our field contributor Morgan Pier for her insights on this topic! #notesfromthefield #careermentor #askingforfeedback #receivingfeedback #goodfeedback

Understanding and mapping the expectations for your role one of the most important activities when starting in a new role - and one of the most overlooked keys to success. Read more for advice on how to set expectations, understand the actual work to be done, and ensure you're aligned with your manager >> https://lnkd.in/g7R5As9K #notesfromthefield #careermentor #newjob #newrole #onboarding