Sometimes I think we underestimate our value, especially when it comes to our careers and the concept that sharing our knowledge may help others. I know I do.
Despite years working at some of the world’s top brands I don’t think of my career as anything special. Yes, I love my work and am energized when I share my experiences with others, but to me it’s just what I do.
After all, there are tons of people with the same level of education, with great experience who advanced even farther than I have in terms of title. So what’s the big deal with me?
I have discovered that my career is nothing to be shy about. Just ask one of the many university students I mentor.
Each semester I spend time on campus visiting with the students, guest lecturing and participating in panel discussions. There are many other career veterans who participate in the program and I’m honored to be included.
Suddenly it’s like I’m the popular kid in school. These students, who are far-brighter than I was at the same age – and are probably smarter than I am right now – treat me with a level of respect reserved for a CEO. They want to meet with me and they contact me for guidance as they wrestle with career questions, internships and job interviews.
Still, I’m left wondering why the students engage so well with little ‘old me. I think about this a lot, especially as I drive to and from the campus. Always wondering if I’m doing enough, and ultimately, if I am helping them at all.
The answer was never as clear as it was when Hubby and I hosted a dinner for current and past mentees at our home. We started this tradition a few years ago and it’s the highlight of our summer. Many of the students take internships in our city and it’s nice for them to have a break and a home-cooked meal.
That last part may be a stretch; at least it’s a meal in a home.
We were casual and relaxed as we talked about their internships, or their jobs, for those that had graduated. As we all listened to each of them share, I asked if there was anything I could help with right now.
Some of them had questions, others were simply happy to know I was available.
Most surprising to me was one of my former mentees saying that is was nice to be included in the group even though she was no longer a student. She was amazed that she would still be included in these events.
Suddenly I felt myself briefly going into “lecture mode”. Mentoring doesn’t “end” simply because they have graduated, I told them. True mentorship continues as long as it works for both parties.
Then it hit me that maybe this is one of the reasons the students and I connect so well. Not only am I excited about my career and willing to share my experiences, I am committed to each of these students, not only for the program but beyond.
I do this because I wish the opportunity to engage with an executive in my field had been available to me when I was in school and just starting out.
Someone to share the ins and outs and ups and downs of career life. Someone who would be very honest about it; someone who had experience under their belt. Someone to bounce ideas off of and possibly help me make connections when it came to a job search.
While I’m not going to do the work for them, I will be there to share my knowledge and help them connect the dots. They will ultimately have to make their own career decisions but it’s nice to have another person to consult.
To me, my career is simply what I do. To these students, it’s a lifetime of achievement and it provides a little insight into something that is unknown to them.
Honestly, I’m still in awe that sharing my career experience can be of benefit to others. And I’m not quite sure how I was fortunate enough to become a mentor.
But I’m sure glad I did.
Like Tami, I was terminated once (By my best friend, BTW – he is now on the board of the agency I lead, so I got him back – ha!), but you don’t have to be unemployed to learn something from this book. 
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