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WORST
Let’s first get the WORST out of the way! This advice did not come from one person, but it was a pervasive attitude in the social work agencies that I worked in early on in my counseling career. In fact it was often unspoken, but at other times drilled into me verbally by well meaning co-workers and supervisors. Here it is: “Go with the flow; Don’t make waves; Suffer in silence (and allow clients and co-workers to suffer in the process). Do your job, collect your pay check, and eventually you will be promoted.”
In the process of living and working this way you have to swallow a lot of baloney, suffer a degree of personal abuse, and you lose yourself. What do you get out of it? A steady paycheck (as long as they need your services), insurance, and a 401K plan. You get a degree of security. But you lose bits and pieces of yourself. This bears a great resemblance to a co-dependent, dysfunctional, or abusive relationship. It never worked for me because I could never keep my mouth shut. I never got fired, but I sure knew when it was time to leave!
BEST
Which brings me to the BEST career advice I ever received; here it is: JOB SECURITY IS GOD’S ABILITY TO FIND YOUR NEXT JOB! This has always worked for me. As if I were walking on well laid-out stepping stones, I have walked out of one job into the next, with ease and always with a pay increase and a better opportunity to develop who I am as a person and as a mental health professional.
I have revisited those agencies where I worked early on and found the same people ten years later doing the same work, complaining (amongst themselves, never to anyone higher up) about the same issues, and making the same low salaries. Some got promoted, i.e. they have to bear more responsibility and work longer hours in exchange for a marginal pay increase. Today I work as an independent contractor and for myself. I produce twice the income that I would have made had I learned to keep my mouth shut and be a quiet little worker bee. Is my job and ability to produce secure? It is as secure as the promise of my God to always provide for His own. I probably have an inferior health insurance plan to those in the agencies. But the good news is that in the last five years since I have been on my own, I have been to the doctor one time. Stress relief does improve your health. I don’t have a 401K, but I have many treasures stored up in Heaven. Most of all I have myself and my integrity. These things are priceless.
- Lindy Diffenbaugh
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GOOD
I was once told never let your employer know everything you know because they tend to take advantage of your experience and knowledge and they began to strategize on how to get you to do a training and later promote someon else to a position.
Unfortunately, I didn’t follow the advice because I was just trying to get things moving at an “agency” that had no clue. I later regretted it.
- Jo ann M. Bonsell
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BEST
In a conversation with my aunt, she told me never to ask people to pray that you get a job but that God’s will be done in the job interview. Simply because it encourages us to remain determined to stay in God’s will for our lives and not just go for something just because you may be qualified for it. Even if you don’t get the job, remember what God has for you is for you...
The other piece of advice came from my father. He said never stop looking for a career move, even if you just started a position, continue to network.
- Chelsea Reeves
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WORST
I would have to say, “Work hard”
BEST
“Work smart” is the best!! For me, working in a man’s job, I understood that I had to work harder than my male counterparts. I just have to work smarter than they do. I am still trying to figure that one out. I am a woman and have a unique perspective that men don’t; I am in the process of developing my own style to accomplish the same result. I am working on being happier with the process of working and being fulfilled. I have learned that a well balanced work, home and spiritual life for me is the answer.
- Gladys Garavito
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BEST
The best advice I ever got was: It can’t be just about the amount of money you make. Happiness on a job is like having a good marriage or being in a good relationship. You feel needed and appreciated and part of a team. The things you do are vital to the success of the business. And you know that you are where God wants you to be and you are doing his will.
- Janice Dupre
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BEST
The best career advice I received was approximately a year after I became a Christian. A Godly man that worked in the same building where I worked, who happened to attend the military post chapel that my family and I attended, shared with me the importance of staying home, raising my children and instilling Godly principles in them at an early age. I made the decision to become a stay-at-home mother because of my conversation with him. I believe the wonderful relationship I have with my children is due to the special bond we share because of the years I was home with them. Three of our four children are grown with the exception of my fourteen-year-old son. The years passed so fast, I never regret being home with them for a decade.
- Nina Frambo
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BEST
The best advice I ever received came from my pastors... “You have to pursue your destiny...until it overtakes you."
WORST
The worst advice I ever received...(came from various people) "Trust in yourself...because in the end...that’s all you’ve got.”
- Keisha Hayes
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BEST
I am a single mom in the military. It is a journey by itself. I have been in this uniform for 10 years, so sometimes I think that I confused advice with acceptance. The best advice I ever got was to always plan to stay in the military. I was told to always have options, so I’ve done just that. I am in school, and my son has benefits.
- LaDetrick Smith
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BEST
The best career advice that I received was to take ownership of my position. Never bring a problem to someone’s attention without also having an idea for the solution as well. There is always someone else who can fill your position, but they can’t work it the way you can. Present yourself with high morals, standards, and goals which will set you apart, making you indispensable.
WORST
The worst career advice that I have ever heard was the sayiing "?it’s a dog eat dog world out there.” There may be some truth to this saying, but your actions and reactions towards others should not be dictated by the “world.” You have to remain true to who God made you, walking worthy of your calling, no matter what or who comes against you.
- Saundra Taylor
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BEST
In college, I was going through the angst of switching majors, and worrying about what career would make more money. My mom sat me down one day and said “Scarlett, don’t worry about the money. Follow your passions, and from there the money will follow when you are doing what you love.”
- Scarlett Williams
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WORST
“It doesn’t matter if you hate it, just do it for the check.”
BEST
“God is able to open doors of opportunity for you, why go to a job you hate every day when you have that kind of access?”
- Tandeace Gillette
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BEST
The best career advice is also the best life advice I received from my mother; treat others how you want to be treated, always, no matter what they say or do to you. It has always worked for me, and I’m now teaching it to my daughter.
- Renee
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BEST
The best career advice I’ve received was early in my career. It has been quite a while, so let me see if I can remember most of it. I went to a noon Bible study class at a local church, and the teacher was talking about how God was talking to Moses in Exodus 3. God gave Moses the confidence he needed to lead Israel by telling Moses to tell the people, “I AM WHO I AM.” She talked about how we should walk in our “I-am-ness.” If God has empowered us to do something, we should stand on His name and walk in it by believing “I am.” God said it, and I am a top (_______________) in Jesus’ name. It was really about having the faith to believe before you could see. At the beginning, you can’t always see how a task will end up. Will I be successful with my business? But by believing, “I AM” and telling yourself that you are in Jesus’ name and working towards your goal, it’s only a matter of time before you begin to see it happen.
- Anonymous
