In a job market that is changing at hypersonic speeds, students entering college or those already enrolled need all the ammunition they can get to navigate from school to a career that suits them. In a recent article in Parade, entrepreneur and CEO Ilya Pozin shares the 7 Things he wished he had known at the age of 25. Pozin makes a good case for being proactive, developing speaking skills, seeking mentors and taking risks, as well as compromising on the ideal of perfection. Additionally, he suggests that you know what makes you better than the rest and that you be passionate about your work.
I would also include “know thyself,” a process that should begin before thousands of dollars are poured into a college education. You need to find the “distinctive lens” through which you view the world, what comes naturally to you, whether it is making connections between people, seeking peace or always being able to see what’s missing from the big picture.
Once you know this unique and instinctive quality, you can marry it with your talents, passions and the ever-changing job market. It is a constant that will be with you for the rest of your life and drive you to a career where work feels like play because it is so natural.
