The lesson is there, can you find it?
Did you go to college? Did you major in what you thought you would the from minute you stepped on campus, or did you switch it up a few times? Did you enroll in a professional training course? Regardless of how you got to where you are, do you realize how much you learned along the way?
Training and education many different forms, and what works for some people may not work for others. The important thing is to seek out information and find what will help you! Every path is unique. Think about it. Two people working at the same company that hold the same title arrived at that point via two very different roads. How can you make the most of your training and education? Look for the lessons.
I admit, I loved college. Everything about it. Living on campus, going to classes, joining student organizations, and of course, the social life. Looking back I learned so many things, some from books, but mostly from experience. For the first time I was on my own and was truly in charge of my destiny. Some lessons came easy, some I learned after overcoming significant challenges. I wish I knew back then what I know now. That is why I want to share this information with you.
Through training and education you learn two different kinds of skills – hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are things like computer programming, accounting, how to repair a furnace, and how to perform medical procedures. Soft skills include teamwork, communication, flexibility, time management, and creative problem solving. Both kinds of things are important, although you might not even realize you are developing those soft skills at the time. If you end up in a professional situation where you need to calm a frenzied client, those soft skills will come in quite handy.
Did you have favorite classes in college, and others that you dreaded but had to get through to complete your degree requirements? For me that was science. I love facts and nature, but for some reason I struggled through every single science class. Business classes, on the other hand, were like recess to a fourth grader for me! Although they were challenging, those science classes taught me that sometimes in life you need to do things you don’t really want or like to do. I challenge you to find a job where you love 100% of your responsibilities! Doing what you love is great, but handling the not-so great stuff that comes along with it is important too, as it teaches you to focus and persist. See, a lesson!
Did you ever get a bad grade? Well, I did, a few times. Maybe I didn’t study enough, or put enough time into the paper. Maybe I decided to go on spring break with my friends to the Bahamas right before a huge class presentation? In my defense I did fly about 10 giant books across the ocean with me, only to have them hang out in the hotel room all alone for the majority of the trip. I had good intentions! In any case, sometimes you goof up and make bad choices. It’s great when it happens in college, because when the same thing happens in your professional life you’ll be ready. I’ve seen some people transpose numbers on a budget, and let me tell you $510,000 is a whole lot different than $150,000. In college, it’s clear that if you get a bad grade, it’s on you. When you are working, it’s important to take responsibility for your actions, especially if you are part of a team. We all make mistakes, and the most important thing is to own up to them and do everything you can to resolve the situation. That’s where you learn the best lessons and build character, which is a very good thing to have going for you.
