AmberCadabra asks Jun 27, 2008 12:19AM What do you know now in your career that you wish you'd known when you started?
Boomerette Jun 27, 2008 01:31AM doesn't really have a "career" yet, but wishes I'd known what I do about life in general when I was younger.
KDFrawg says Jun 27, 2008 01:33AM that I didn't want a career in mgmt. Did tech for a bunch, got shoved into top tech mgmt, hated it, went back to just running projects.
AmberCadabra Jun 27, 2008 01:35AM KDFrawg that's a pretty profound ability: to know what you like and stay there
KDFrawg says Jun 27, 2008 01:36AM I don't know about profound, but it kept me from going completely nutso.
AmberCadabra Jun 27, 2008 01:37AM lots of people chase the promotion and title, and lose touch with what they're really good at or love to do
KDFrawg says Jun 27, 2008 01:39AM I totaslly agree. I was uneasy until I hit exec vp / program mgr. That put me over the top. Back to consulting went I.
DebInAustin says Jun 27, 2008 01:41AM always be true to yourself- I know it is a cliche, but the times I got in trouble were times when I didn't listen to that little voice
KDFrawg says Jun 27, 2008 01:41AM That is a line that too many people cross early in their careers, and pay for for a while.
AmberCadabra Jun 27, 2008 01:42AM Deb, I think that's great advice. When you're starting out, it can be tempting to compromise
KDFrawg says Jun 27, 2008 01:43AM DebInDenver is right. I knew I should not take the upper mgmt job, but I did. And I regretted it.
AmberCadabra Jun 27, 2008 01:44AM I turned down an opportunity last year that seemed too "risky" at the time, and now I really regret it.
DebInAustin says Jun 27, 2008 01:45AM there is always something to counter that voice. "They're not as crazy as they seem..." "Well, they were a little unclear, but the $$$"
KDFrawg says Jun 27, 2008 01:47AM I love to work with people. I love to lead people. But I missed the hands on. I should have known that.
KDFrawg says Jun 27, 2008 01:47AM For me, the counter was something like a normal workday. But yes, there's always something.
AmberCadabra Jun 27, 2008 01:48AM My dad went through the same thing. Was in IT, got to an SVP level, missed getting his hands into the tech stuff and interacting w/the team
Jane Chin has Jun 27, 2008 03:25AM learned that I may actually enjoy the periods in between careers (transitions) than the actual careers themselves.
Jane Chin says Jun 27, 2008 03:25AM (P.S. this marvelous thread is going into Plurkaholics Plurk Philosoplurks category!)
AmberCadabra Jun 27, 2008 03:27AM janechin i enjoyed it so much i didn't go back to the "real" world and finally decided to do my own thing. Never been happier.
