Barack Obama's Career Advice for Gen Z Professionals

If you've been scrolling through Netflix recently, you might have stumbled upon a new documentary series titled "Working: What We Do All Day." Inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning book written by Studs Terkel and narrated by Barack Obama , this series offers a glimpse into the lives of individuals from various professions.

As Gen Z professionals navigate the ever-changing landscape of work, former President Barack Obama offers guidance and inspiration during a conversation with the LinkedIn editor in chief Daniel Roth . From their exchange, we pulled some valuable career advice to share with you.

“Learn how to get stuff done”

He starts by emphasizing the importance of being a problem solver in your career. He notes that many Gen Zers entered the workforce during the pandemic, facing hybrid or remote work environments. According to Obama, the key to building a successful career is to be someone who doesn't just describe problems or explain why things went wrong but takes the initiative to say, "Let me take care of that." By cultivating a proactive approach and actively seeking solutions, you not only contribute to positive change but also inspire others with your ingenuity and resilience. Obama explained. “I’ve seen at every level people who are very good at describing problems, people who are very sophisticated in explaining why something went wrong or why something can’t get fixed, but what I’m always looking for is no matter how small the problem or how big it is, somebody who says, ‘Let me take care of that.’”

This advice is closely related to the wisdom shared by Bill Gates during his graduation speech to Northern Arizona University's Class of 2023. Bill Gates emphasized the importance of focusing on work that tackles problems. According to the Microsoft founder, engaging in projects that aim to solve important problems not only feeds the motivation to give one's best but also stimulates creativity and gives deep meaning to your life.

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“Worry more about what you want to do rather than what you want to be.”

When evaluating their career plans, Barack Obama advises Gen Z professionals not to focus on specific job titles or monetary rewards. Instead, he stresses the importance of finding genuine interest and passion in the actions and activities they wish to undertake. "I believe that very often, people say to themselves, "I want to be a Congressman at 30. I want to make X amount of money at this age," Obama remarked. If instead, you start following your true passions, you will pave the way for remarkable professional success and fulfillment. Focus on the problems you want to solve and the impact you want to have, rather than setting rigid goals based on titles or income. Passion boosts creativity. When you love what you do, you're more inclined to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and find innovative solutions. Your passion stimulates your imagination, enabling you to approach tasks and problems with fresh perspectives. The result is a more stimulating and rewarding career journey.

Obama's analysis is spot on. It's easy to talk about ideas and concepts, but what counts is taking action and turning those ideas into reality. As the former president concluded, when you demonstrate a positive attitude and actively get things done, those in positions of authority within the organization will undoubtedly take notice. Passion and problem-solving must drive your daily efforts and these are the qualities that lead to individual success. "The people that I find are the most successful are the people who say, 'I'm interested in computers and figuring this stuff out,' and they end up being a Bill Gates," he said.?

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