Career Development | Glen Cove, NY

A group of Wake Foresters gathered over dinner in Glen Cove, NY on September 20, 2018 to discuss Career Development.

Overview and highlights of our Call to Conversation:

• “You don’t have to see the whole staircase to take a first step.” We started with this thought that is often shared with our Wake students — taking a step in the career path doesn’t have to define the journey. It’s about the learning of that first step.
• We talked about how our first jobs, no matter how menial, provided life-forming lessons. New skills, responsibility, accountability, coming of age and maturity.
• Many shared anecdotes of experiences with previous supervisors who, by their example, shaped our treatment of colleagues and subordinates and mentees for years to come. Impact on our own management and mentoring paradigms were long-lasting and indelible.
• When we spoke about lessons learned that were worthy of passing forward to the next generation, we heard a number of stories that reflected the importance, in retrospect, of “stepping up and saying yes,” — grasping opportunity, taking risk and forging ahead with confidence and a spirit of discovery.
• Listening, being present and meeting others (superiors and subordinates) where they are were paramount themes. The not knowing is often the best moment to be in … and leads to taking risks! “You rarely end up where you start out. So just Start!”