Yesterday I was inspired by two Darden second-year MBA students. One of the two has recently turned down a job offer with a typical MBA hiring company to stay in the job hunt and pursue his passion, technology. My conservative reaction: are you crazy? In this market? With no US passport? The other student is his wife, also a MBA student, with no job offer either. I was inspired for two reasons: one, these two students are willing to take career and financial risks to pursue their passions; two, they have a thoughtful plan and are executing that plan to be successful. I believe we can learn from these two students.
One of our recent speakers at Darden’s Leadership Speaker Series used a quote that really struck me: the quote was something like, “If you don’t take a risk, then you may never reach your full potential.” This resonated with me, as I reflected on my own career and thought about our students at the beginning of their career.
This year I’m twenty-five years into my business career. I’ve taken a couple of large, life-changing risks and innumerable small ones. I’ve also “chickened” our on a couple of risks that could have been life altering and maybe career enhancing. In 1998 I sought and accepted a senior marketing role in Singapore. My wife, Sally and kids (ages 10, 7, and 5) moved to Singapore for nearly two years. Many advised me that an international assignment was career limited—I’d be lost and lose “pace” with my peers. What the move actually did was change the career game for me, caused me to think more deeply about my career aspirations, and provided enormous personal growth.
Six years ago I took another substantial career risk by leaving corporate America and pursuing a passion in educational leadership, marketing a brand for which I had passion and a deep sense of gratitude. While I thought the move was risky, I felt it was a risk worth taking. In the words frequently used by Dean Bob Bruner when speaking about Darden’s future: for me, standing still was not an option. (Perhaps more details should be the subject of a future blog.) I’ve not looked back for the past six years. I’ve grown and developed: it would be hard to find a job I love more.
On the flip side: at one pivotal point in my career, I turned down an offer from a Fortune 50 multi-national company because I thought it was too risky. The job was for a company I considered not in the top tier of “marketing” companies and would have required another relocation (my eighth, but who was counting). Within a year the person that was hired was promoted to president of the division. It could have been me. Or could it? I’ll never know. I was afraid to take the risk. Maybe right, maybe wrong.
A few principles I have learned when experiencing career risks:
· Career risks early in one’s career leave more time for recovery from a bad mistake;
· Career risks must be balanced with and taken in context of personal (familial) needs and personal risks;
· Career risks in pursuit of a passion leave little room for regret;
· Career risks should be taken only when a thorough action plan has been created to minimize the risks;
· Nearly all career risks provide opportunity for growth;
· Standing still in not an option—not taking the occasional career risk is in itself a career risk.
The reason the two students mentioned at the beginning of this blog are taking such a risk is that they have to: they have to bet on a market that may or may not develop. Technology companies don’t generally define their hiring needs until spring. Yet, the on-Gounds recruiting machine will come and go by then. In addition most technology companies are 3000 miles away and require personal investment of time and money to build the relationships necessary. What excites me about these students is their detailed action plans for managing this risk. They are not waiting until the spring, but are investing now in building the network to be successful.
So, to the two students with whom I met this week: thanks for reminding me personally that career risks lead to substantial rewards. More importantly, thanks for reminding me how I should be counseling new MBA student risk takers. I’m sure I’ve said it before (Breakthrough Career Development Advice, Mariah Carey’s Career Advice on American Idol, Bee Movie Guide to Career Development—Part 1), but it’s worth saying it again:
· Pursue your passion. Now is the easiest time in your career to take a risk. Don’t follow the MBA sheep unless they are pursuing your passion.
· Be patient. You may have to wait until spring. You may have to wait until five years after graduation. (Yesterday, I ran into a 2004 alumnae who went through three jobs since graduation before landing a few months ago in the job she really wanted at graduation.)
· Own it. Don’t blame Darden for not being strong in your area of passion. Don’t blame the recruiting calendar for presenting some opportunities before others. Don’t sit back and wait for it to come to you (or to pass you by).
· Let me (or others in your life) help you along the way.