What do you do if you're an entry-level professional in Strategy and unsure of your career path?

Settle on your purpose in life--before you die--especially if you are in "strategy." Then create a robust clear and inspiring (to you) personal charter. A) your purpose in life, B) what you want to look like at 75, C) clarity on your core VABEs, D) A strategy for each of the visions in B (physical, financial, etc for all the -AL aspects of life), E) Carefully select short-term measures of your progress in D and F) Choose to make these decisions--that is, LEAD your own life with strategy. If not you, who? Live inside-out not outside-in. IMO every intentional person or leader who does not have a clear, robust and inspiring charter is negligent. At ALL levels from individual up to national.

Navigating your career path is unique to each individual, so embrace risks and new experiences. Take proactive steps like assessing skills, seeking mentorship, and staying informed. Network, be open to learning, and maintain curiosity. This approach fosters skill development, adaptability, and resilience, leading to achieving long-term career goals.... some flow that can be considered ..Assess skills, interests, and career goals. Seek mentorship. Explore education and certifications. Stay updated on industry trends. Network and attend events. Be proactive and open-minded. Stay curious.

1. Read from people whom you respect and that intrigue you 2. Find a mentor who has had practical experience in the field at the highest level, who is human, trustworthy and generous with his/her time focused on you 3. Seek out a practical online program that accelerates your learning curve, gives you confidence, 'upskills' you and gives you ready-to-use processes and strategic tools that work Modesty prevents me from recommending where you might start looking :)

Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and continue learning. Also we need to lift others while we climb. Adopting a growth mindset allows you to continuing moving forward in an inspired way. Be genuinely curious and think less about what you want to "be" and more about what problems would you like to contribute positively to, then build your network and learning objectives accordingly.

In my experience, -Start by finding what you love, and picture yourself in the next 5 years and 10 years. -Reflect on what makes you stand from the rest, skills you have, but also the ones needed to reach your goal. Updating your CV is a good excercise to scan your professional/personal life and identify skills and achievements. -Make an elevator pitch of YOU, interiorize it, and say it with confidence; then you will be one step closer to acknowledging your worth. -Make a plan: Think of the actions that lead to your goal, list them, analyze them and pick the 3 first steps to start with. -Find an inspirational quote that relates to your purpose and keeps you motivated againts the setbacks. -Remain positive -Act and don't give up!

Strategy encompasses diverse functions. Go beyond your current role and delve into different specializations like corporate strategy, competitive intelligence, or business development. Research available positions within your / any organization or explore industry trends to identify areas that pique your interest. The beauty of strategy is its versatility. Don't limit yourself to traditional consulting firms. Explore the diverse paths within different industries. For instance, are you passionate about sustainability? Consider a role in a company spearheading environmentally or sustainability-conscious initiatives.

Find an industry, sector, or function that you are most interested in—this could be based on personal interest or something you feel compelled to be a part of. Whether that’s business, finance, retail, science, design, healthcare, manufacturing—it doesn’t matter. Strategy is valuable and has an impact everywhere. You need to be intrinsically motivated to dig in, and it’ll be a whole lot easier to stay curious if you love the space you immerse yourself in.

Being part of a strategy team can be exciting and challenging. Learn from the team and find an area that excites you. To be a good strategist you need to listen and learn from your clients, communities and the target audience- they usually have the answer to most of their issues but need it to be strategically presented. A strategist needs to be able to facilitate discussions, understand the context and requirements and finally package the solutions in a way that is sustainable and effective. Find different areas to work on until you discover an area that you are passionate about, keep educating yourself on new trends in the industry and be open to all perspectives.

Engage with folks that have been through building strategy and all of the components, being part of a team developing a strategy is exciting and allows you to be part of the business journey and watching the impact. Building upon the ideas of the team and looking at ways to continue to add to the strategy once it’s in place. The strategy needs to be accessible to the people who are executing it as well as measuring the progress. There are a lot of roles and parts to play.

Look for roles that prioritize sustainability and regeneration, such as positions focused on circular economy strategies, sustainable supply chain management, or regenerative business models.

My advice would be to identify individuals who possess the experience and expertise you aspire to, and reach out to them. Attend networking events, industry conferences, and seminars as frequently as possible to connect with potential mentors naturally. Additionally, explore online platforms and professional communities tailored to your industry, where mentorship opportunities are often plentiful. Building meaningful mentor relationships is invaluable for advancing your career.

Learning from and with others in different fields will lead you into that direction, which you will find as your own hot Spot. What is your definition of career? If career for you only is defined by role and Money, you are limiting yourself from the beginning, to Develop your own career together with Others will give you a fundamental better career Feeling.

Networking is about building relationships, learning from others, and being available to help each other. People typically enjoy talking about things they are good at but if there’s an alternative motive you’ll be wasting the time of both parties.

The economy, tech and companies change so often that charting a career path may be a fool's errand. Instead make a five year plan that will - at the end - give you a broad set of possibilities. Then make another. . . Along the way do your job well, please your boss, get along with everybody. Engage everyone you encounter and learn from them. Your boss today may well be your coworker or subordinate tomorrow. Burn no bridges. Evaluate organizations you think to join based upon compatibility with those in charge. Never fight a corporate battle unless you know you can win it. Gain consensus with individuals before you go into the meeting so you'll know the outcome.

Networking indeed serves as a cornerstone for career growth, especially for entry-level professionals in Strategy. However, beyond merely expanding one's connections, it's essential to foster genuine relationships based on mutual learning and support. Therefore, cultivating a robust network isn't just about expanding contacts; it's about nurturing meaningful connections that foster continuous learning and professional development.

If you're uncertain about your career path in Strategy, take time to reflect on your interests and skills. Research different roles within the field, such as management consulting, corporate strategy, or business development, to understand their responsibilities and growth potential. Network with professionals in these areas to gain insights and guidance, while also focusing on developing relevant skills and seeking out hands-on experience. Remember to stay flexible and open to new opportunities as you explore your options and work towards building a fulfilling career in Strategy.

Include yourself in meetings and opportunities to participate, work with your direct report and peers to ensure that you are a part of the process. Partner with other departments and teams to gain further insights as well as sharing your learnings with the leadership group.

Proactively seeking growth opportunities, diverse experiences and embrace challenging projects to expand your skills. Network extensively, connecting with professionals for guidance and opportunities. Additionally, pursue further training to enhance your expertise, and consider volunteering for additional hands-on learning.

Like in life, whenever we are exposed to new things, it is best to be in an Observation mode and learn endlessly and extensively. With time, one may imagine oneself on how they would approach a new project or initiative or a task. Watch what the Seniors did and how was it different from what they thought/imagined. These sort of small yet important exercises would go a long way to get acquainted and build on it !! Persistence is the key to success….

Like in life, whenever we are exposed to new things, it is best to be in an Observation mode and learn endlessly and extensively. With time, one may imagine oneself on how they would approach a new project or initiative or a task. Watch what the Seniors did and how was it different from what they thought/imagined. These sort of small yet important exercises would go a long way to get acquainted and build on it !! Persistence is the key to success….

Open yourself up to learning as much as you can. Focus on building the core consulting skill sets like structured approach to problem solving, data analysis and insight synthesis, communication, PowerPoint slides, etc. As you continue to experience more projects, problems, and industries, you begin to get a clearer picture of what you want to do long term. It could be exploring career growth opportunities to rise through the ranks in consulting, or you might want to explore an industry you find interesting, or even dive deeper into a knowledge area that resonates with you. In all of these, enjoy the process, seek mentorship, stay curious and be open to learning, and becoming a better version of yourself! Cheers ??

Continuous learning is vital and it should never end! Embrace workshops, online courses, and further qualifications to expand your skill set. As well as investing in personal and professional development to stay relevant and competitive, this way you'll adapt to industry changes swiftly and accelerate your career trajectory.

Business school is interesting but theoretical. Study some of the masters to gain practical knowledge. Two great places to start are "33 Strategies of War" by Robert Greene and Sun Tzu's "The Art of War." Sun Tzu's principles of strategy are entirely applicable to life business and can be roughly summarized as: - Know Yourself, Know Your Enemy - Subdue Without Fighting - Never Reveal Your Strengths - Be Cunning - Attack When The Moment Is Right - Use Diplomacy - Choose Your Battles Wisely - Speed and Agility Matter - Understand the Terrain - Think Long-Term Take the time to dig into each of them. Apply them in your personal and professional life.

Some easy to implement ideas to improve your ability in Strategy are: Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor who can provide guidance, insights, and offer valuable feedback. Read Widely: Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices by regularly reading books, articles, and research papers. Attend Conferences and networking events to learn from experts and gain new perspectives. Cross-Functional Projects: Seek opportunities to work on cross-functional projects within your organization. Feedback and Reflection: Actively seek feedback on your work and reflect on your experiences. Experiment and Innovate: Be open to experimenting with new ideas, strategies, and approaches.

Continuous learning is the single biggest effort towards finding the pathway forward. The environment is becoming increasingly dynamic - it is essential to stay abreast of developments and have a point of view at each stage.

Sometimes we get too engrossed in what we are doing that we forget to reflect and recognise how our skills/ strengths have developed. By regularly reflecting, trying new experiences and pushing ourselves out of our comfort, we accelerate, empower, challenge and grow our capabilities. This means that at times we are lucky enough to inspire others.

Regularly reflect on what interests you, your strengths, and values. Experiment with different projects and tasks to discover what resonates with you. Find guidance from mentors to explore various career paths within strategy and take advantage of training opportunities and informational interviews to learn about different roles and industries. Stay open-minded to new opportunities, and be willing to adapt your career path based on your evolving interests and experiences.

This is very impactful but highly ignored practice. Reflect on your wins, failures, learnings and see the difference! Take a small instance and reflect.

From my perspective the reflection is crucial in all areas, not only reflection about the journey or progress but also in the critical thinking exercise which help you in the questioning skill which is the basic in the strategic planning

I find that regular reflection is crucial for navigating my career path. Prioritizing regular reflection empowers us to steer our career in a direction that aligns with our aspirations and values.

(V)olunteer to be on projects (A)ccept you know nothing, but you may be surprised that you know whole lot more than others. (L)earn at every moment, continue to learn. (U)nderstand the your universe, it's culture, it's ppl, and the community in which it serves. (E)ngage fully by being present, taking responsibility, ans being accountable

Explore unconventional career paths and opportunities to apply your skills in innovative ways that contribute to regeneration and sustainability. Consider how you can leverage your expertise in strategy to drive positive change within your organization and industry. Stay adaptable and open to new ideas and approaches that align with regenerative principles and contribute to a more sustainable future.

I always recommend beginning with the Clifton Strengths assessment. Taking the assessment will help you discover your top strengths. The key is to then evaluate how your top strengths align with your career choice. How can you leverage your strengths to be successful in your career. How can you ensure that you are using your top strengths in your work each day.

Figure out your sweet spot. Find the thing you were called to do. The thing you would do for free. Then assess your skills. Do a gap analysis to see how you get to where you need to be skill wise. Network like crazy!! Hire a coach!! When you get the job of your dreams … Kick ass!! ??

Even when considering an entry level strategy role, a key move many young professionals omit is building their own unique strategic insights on current affairs. Do not limit the importance of your insights on a topic - read, research, analyse and share the insights on public portals like LinkedIn or Medium. This practical habit can be done on a daily basis and will help you form an opinion before you go into a formal interview