Dear Class of 2015: Your Career Isn't A Straight Line

In this series, professionals share what they'd do differently — and keep the same. Follow the stories here and write your own (please use #IfIWere22 in your post).

When asked for advice on how to get ahead, Eleanor Roosevelt was fond of saying, “Do one thing every day that scares you.”  If I could offer some advice to my younger self, this idea of embracing new and different opportunities would be a good place to start. 

In today’s heavily prescribed, overly programmed world, it’s easy to believe – even at age 22 – that you need to plan every detail of your future career.  But that’s simply not the case.

While planning for your future is great, the fact is, things change.  Opportunities will arise tomorrow that you simply cannot imagine today.  If you pass on them because they don’t fit neatly into your current plan or because you’re afraid, you could easily miss your best opportunities for growth.

In my case, some of my most important career learning opportunities came from situations in which I initially thought, “You want me to do what?”  Like supervising a team at an assembly plant early in my career, or being asked, as an engineer, to lead Human Resources.

That pang of fear you get when you’re given a challenging opportunity is a good sign.  See it as a motivator and an opportunity to learn new skills, work with new people, and expand your experience.

Remember, too, it’s important not to limit your potential.  You want to drive your career forward, of course, but progress doesn't always travel in a straight line.  Each new opportunity broadens your skills and perspective, and the wider your experience, the more you bring to the table as you advance to leadership.

Embrace these opportunities.  Conquer them.  Learn from them.  They will be important investments in your career and the milestones that mark your progress.

Nothing scary about that.