Yesterday, someone asked me ‘so what did you study to get to where you are?’
This question always surprises me a little because in my usual professional bubble, it doesn’t come up. I do understand, however, that many people at the start of their career or while still at school, are trying to figure out what they need to do to set themselves up for a path in data, analytics and technology.
So in this week’s newsletter I want to reflect on the skills and attributes that really matter for our careers.
And I want all of you to please add your own to this list, because chances are that over the next few weeks, whether at family gatherings or during work conversations in the new year, people will ask this question of you as well.
Let’s give job seekers, career changers, and the next generation of data professionals a more comprehensive answer than the ones we grappled with ourselves.
Think back to when you started
What advice did you receive when you finished secondary school?
In my all-girls school, the options were basically:
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Become a teacher or nurse
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Study economics
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Train to be a business administrator
The only people encouraged to consider an engineering degree were the ones with top grades in math and physics.
Yes, it feels sad that in the early 2000s those were the suggestions from the adults that influenced us.
As you reflect, I’d love for you to think about (and share!!! – I love reading your responses, so hit reply liberally 🙂 ) what you expected from your higher level education or post-secondary school training and whether those expectations were met.
What skills are truly important for your career?
I loved my time at university. I loved learning, accessing so much knowledge, and challenging myself to express my own ideas.
I do recognise, though, that the skills I learned at university were limited to writing, researching, analysis, and comprehension. There was zero practical element. I came out of uni knowing plenty but without any experience in applying my knowledge.
As I reflect on 12 years of working full-time, here is what I think truly matters in my data and technology career:
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Understanding new information and ideas quickly
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Collating data and information from various sources and making sense of it
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Translating this information into plain English for a variety of stakeholders
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Being diligent and conscientious, delivering on commitments, and maintaining consistent high quality of outputs
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Being articulate verbally and in writing – my most used skill
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Thinking ahead and managing up, anticipating people’s needs before they’ve mentioned them
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Being a good listener. Listening to people and listening for specific problems and indicators that they may not mention
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Recognising opportunities and having the courage to say yes
You don’t need a degree to build these skills, but my time at university certainly helped get me ready for professional life.
What would you add?
I hope you’ll have more suggestions to add and I hope you’ll have the chance to speak to people about their career aspirations and share with them what truly helped you – beyond your education.
The most interesting career paths aren’t the straight ones, but the ones with detours and scenic routes. The most important skills and attributes for career success can’t be found in a certificate but within each person.
Let’s help people see this!
Have a great week,
Eva
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If you or someone you know would benefit from a career coach, get in touch by email and we can chat through the options to find something that works for you. I’d love to help you make 2023 your year of career progress and success!
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