Your Employment Matters

As Much as Things Change, They Remain the Same.

By Beverly A. Williams

Recently, I attended a writer’s seminar at watchung booksellers http://watchungbooksellers.com/ in Montclair, NJ offered by the “Book Doctors” http://www.thebookdoctors.com/.  I’m writing an employment advice book so I wanted to follow the Book Doctors’ advice to join a writer’s group because I felt feedbackfrom others would be helpful.  In fact, one of the TIPS in my manuscript is “Consider All Feedback a Gift.”   

Unfortunately, I didn’t how to find a group.  No one else in the seminar asked
the question, and I refused to raise my hand to inquire.  I knew if I put my mind to it, I could figure it out how to find a writer’s group.  And, I did. 

Once again www.ask.com came through for me.  I asked where I could find a writer’s group in Maplewood, NJ, and an article in Maplewood Patch was on the list of responses to my query.  The Writers Circle was scheduled to begin a writer’s group at the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School located at Columbia High School on Thursday evenings beginning May 31st.  I could walk to class, if I chose.  The Internet is a wonderful thing!

Many years ago, as a young person just starting the first of several careers, I was ignorant of basic employment dos and don’ts. The fact that today my young friends and loved ones like Matt, John, Erica, Joe and Nick have no way of knowing when they’ve made a career limiting move prompted me to write an employment advice book that also serves as a reference tool for young adults.

Over the years I’ve provided employment-related advice as an attorney, an executive, a human-resourcesprofessional, a family member, and a friend.  In the interest of full disclosure, I admit I haven’t always followed the advice I now offer. There is more than one reason I didn’t, but the primary reason was simply my ignorance.  I wasn’t aware of the rules that applied in the workplace.  I didn’t realize as I do now that there are universal rules as well as specific rules that evolve over time from the business culture or the way things are done.

That I wasn’t aware of the “do’s and don’ts,” brings home the fact that education isn’t enough…skill isn’t enough…networks alone aren’t enough and intelligence isn’t enough. All these things help, but I learned the rules from personal experience, including making mistakes, and the experience of others who were willing to share their experiences with me.

As much as things change, they remain the same. As a young person with a graduate degree, I egotistically thought that I should be paid more than the long-term employee with institutional and industry knowledge, but no college degree. I didn’t know that experience like education is important or realize the value of what others bring to the table.   There was so much I didn’t know and didn’t learn until much later in my career. 

How will my young loved ones learn not to shoot off irate emails when a coworker crosses the line?  When will they learn to respect the position of “supervisor” even if the supervisor is so much less than he or she should be?  Will they learn soon enough not to through their boss under the bus or go over their boss’ head?   

This afternoon over lunch, a HR friend pointed out that there isn’t much difference between me as a young person long ago, my young friends,and unfortunately, too many seasoned adults who should know better but apparently don't. 

When my book is published it will be a resource for young adults, but anyone of any age is free to read it.