Ashna Haji Shares Her Career Tips for Young Professionals
Ashna Haji Shares Her Career Tips for Young Professionals
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Do you remember the first answer you ever had to that question? Chances are if you’re anything like me, your answer has changed – maybe even several times.
From the time we are children, there’s a strong focus on the job or career we want to pursue. In Kindergarten we’re asked to draw pictures of ourselves as firefighters or astronauts. In high school we’re asked to select elective courses to fill up our schedules. And then, in our late teens, we’re asked to choose a post-secondary program that is supposed to set us up for the career path we’ll follow for the rest of our lives.
But how do we decide on an answer to that all-so-important question? And what are we supposed to do if our answer continues to change?
Gone are the days where our parents found a job and kept it for decades. With current job-hopping trends, Canadians are expected to hold up to different 15 jobs throughout their careers, with many people changing their entire career paths 2-3 times throughout their lives.
With little guidance and so many options available to us, finding the right career path can be difficult and frankly, intimidating.
As a millennial trying to navigate my own career, I wanted to share a few pieces of advice with young professionals who may be facing similar challenges. Whether you know what you want to do or not, these 5 tips will guide you through your journey and make sure you stay happy along the way.
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Find a supportive work environment
You spend the majority of your waking hours with your work team, so it’s important to find a work environment that you fit into well. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that work culture and the relationships you build, especially with your manager, can make or break your experience at work. When you’re surrounded with good people, even the most difficult work can seem like a lighter load.
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Think long-term
It’s easy to get distracted with a shiny new salary or a ping pong table in the break room, but these are likely not be the things that will help you grow your career. To me, working at a company like Panasonic that upholds similar values to the ones I live by and that has ample growth opportunities is much more important, especially when thinking about my future. Remember to do what’s right for you, but always keep an eye on your future and a foot in the door for new opportunities.
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Build a personal brand
Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I’ve found that this holds true in every aspect of life, even in the workplace, which is why I am never afraid to bring my personality to the office. Your colleagues may not always see the hard work you put in every day, but they’ll remember how you supported them through a tough time, personal or professional, and that they enjoy working with you. Make your personality, values, and attitude known, and support your character through your actions. For me, this includes doing things outside of my day job (for example, volunteering), that align with my personal values. Be your authentic self, and you’ll be surprised at the opportunities that will come your way from the people within your network.
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Never stop learning
One thing I truly believe in is the importance of continuous learning. No matter what role you’re in, you’ll always need to learn; new skills, new processes, how to navigate office politics, you name it. Growing your knowledge in any of these ways will also help to grow your value. During the pandemic, I took the opportunity to complete my MBA while continuing my job at Panasonic, and while this came with a lot of personal sacrifice (and a hefty price tag), the new skills and confidence I gained have already proven to be invaluable in the growth of my career.
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Make time for self-care
We’re in a weird time where we wear our exhaustion from the “grind” as a badge of honour. While I’m a strong advocate for hard work, I think it’s also extremely important to take a step back when you’re feeling overworked or overwhelmed to remember what’s most important in life. Don’t be afraid to take breaks or time off when you need to take care of your own physical or mental health. You won’t be able to perform at your best when you’re burnt out, and a good manager will be supportive and understanding of the work-life balance you deserve to maintain.
Whether you know what you want to do or are still trying to figure it out as you go, remember that everyone’s career path will look different, and your happiness and fulfillment throughout this journey is what will matter the most in the end.
Interested in joining the Panasonic team? Check out our current openings and explore roles that fit your background here.
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