I was recently asked to speak in front of a business class at Lakeridge High School outside Portland about building a career in digital marketing. I’ve given this presentation many times over the years, but have traditionally focused on the “digital” and “marketing” aspects of building a career, instead of providing life advice I think can make a much greater impact. This is especially true for young adults unsure of their career, and I can’t expect everyone wants to be in the world of digital marketing. As such, I decided to put together a list of 12 Career Tips for the high-schoolers, even though I believe they apply to any growth-minded individuals. Without further adieu…
- “Learn” how to learn today in school (be curious)
- Start networking and never stop (socialization is essential)
- You are not special (without 10,000 hours of practice)
- Don’t set limits (set goals)
- Find your Why (create a mission statement)
- Flaunt your Freak Factor (to achieve your goals)
- Build your online brand (and a socially-savvy resume)
- Ignore everyone else (social media + image crafting = disappointment)
- Listen, learn (then act)
- Fail fast and forward (success can be deadly)
- Master English and learn to communicate effectively (language is a powerful tool)
- Technology evolves (critical thinking doesn’t)
For more information on building a career, visit the pdxMindShare blog and the Business articles section of Anvil’s website. If, for some reason, you still feel the need to pursue a career in digital marketing, check out the following resources:
- Anvil’s Digital Marketing Resources section
- SEMpdx
- PSU SEM Workshop
- Article: Five Steps to a Successful Career in Search Engine Marketing
Happy hunting!