Teddy Roosevelt said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…” The same holds true for your career path.
The reality of putting in extensive time and effort to achieve success is sometimes not emphasized enough to young adults starting out in their careers. The satisfaction of being the best at your occupation and getting your desired title, hours and pay rate is only achieved through years of gaining experience, perfecting skills and persevering through challenges.
Your first job out of school can sometimes fall short of your expectations. It’s common for first jobs to seem full of tedious tasks that aren’t contributing to a bigger, greater mission. For someone starting out in the auto care industry, your days may seem endless as you change the oil or rotate the tires on the tenth vehicle of the day. This is often the reality for many when entering the workforce.
As simple as your first job may feel to you, believe it or not, it is giving you marketable and transferrable skills that will get you one step closer to achieving your ultimate career goals. What sets the new graduate apart from the master technician? The answer is an extensive level of knowledge—gained exclusively through years of hard work and experience.
Spending your time proactively during the beginning years of your career on mapping out where you want to be professionally 3-5 years down the road is vital to advancing in your profession.
What are some steps you can take right now?
1. Set a career goal for yourself and map out step-by-step how you can reach it (and be realistic about timelines!).
2. Find ways to add to your skillset through advanced certifications, mentorship programs or networking groups—and don’t forget the importance of expanding your professional network.
3. Adopt a positive and motivated mindset that puts your current place on your career journey map into perspective.
Reminder: Where you are now is temporary, but a necessary stepping stone for the next opportunity.
In the long run, discipline and dedication in your current position are how you will gain the necessary skills needed to achieve higher professional goals throughout your career. To see great results, you must be committed to putting in great amounts of your own time and effort. As long as you’re learning, your career is growing.
Want to kick your career into high gear? Visit autocarecareers.org today!
Article sponsored by Auto Care Careers.
