Managing A Young Career: Part 2

Managing a young career is one of the most stressful ventures anyone can experience in their life. Young professionals generally don't share their experiences, especially their failures, as well as their successes. It's easy to focus on successful stories, particularly with social media, where everyone presents their best selves without revealing the hard work behind the scenes.

Understanding Your WHY

In Part One, two years ago—before I left Zambia to join Citibank Europe—I discussed my journey and how I got to where I am, hoping to inspire others. I'm not the only person who's achieved or overcome certain things in their life. The first point I want to highlight in managing a young career, Part Two, is that many of us have a vision of where we want to go. You need to understand your why.

For example, someone born into a family where parents have already sacrificed many hours and years building wealth and investments may not necessarily be fighting poverty.

This isn't because being wealthy or having privilege is a bad thing, but because those who went ahead of that person already laid a strong foundation. That's why it's called generational wealth.

People like me, who did not come from generational wealth, have to build it and extend the progress made by our parents. As a result, my why is different from the next person's. When you're 14 or 15 years old, it's difficult to navigate your why because you don't fully understand your purpose. You're still figuring yourself out, balancing social, cultural norms, religion, politics, and family. But when you get into university, your why starts to develop, and you gain context.

For instance, in university, I couldn't go out as often as my friends because I feared getting into trouble and being deported. My situation was different from theirs. Some didn't have to fear such consequences because they had job security or other safety nets.

Now that you're here and you understand your why, you need to do what you have to do.

Give Grace to Yourself

Now that you've come this far, here are a few highlights you may find helpful:

Slow Progress is Still Progress

I'm happy you're giving grace to yourself. Understand that slow progress is still progress. As you build a portfolio in a company, a project, or a school activity, realize that you won't always get everything right. The foundation will be shaky from the start because you'll navigate many issues and politics, and no one teaches you "how to people" or how to interact with others. Human beings are naturally complex, and you are a complex individual as well. Offer the same grace to others as you navigate your career.

Remember, you don't always have to be 100%. If you can do 40-50% or 50-80% of the work towards who you want to become, that is still progress.

For those in school or the early years of their contract or career, remember that slow progress is still progress. As long as you're taking the first step and laying the next brick, you are making progress.

Experience + Skill specialization

Pursuing education is commendable and challenging. An undergraduate degree is a foundation for employability in most industries, but skill specialization provides a competitive edge. Dream of your master's and Ph.D., but also obtain certifications and attend training programs. Visibility isn't limited to academia; upskill continuously.

Corporations seek solution-givers and innovators, not just A+ students with numerous academic accolades. Evolve, network with business owners, and combine street smarts with academic knowledge.

We're taught many technical skills and ways to navigate spaces we intend to dominate or be a part of. However, we’re rarely taught preparation. You can have all it takes but if you're unprepared, you'll miss your chance. Opportunity manifests where preparation dwells.

Your Outlook is Vital

Perceive life how you want to be perceived. Your outlook is crucial. As you navigate a young career, remember that how you are perceived is just as important as how you perceive others. We live in a very expressive generation where it's okay to be yourself. You can be whoever you want, which is very noble. But in the outside world, you need context to your life.

People need to identify what category you fall into.

If you're an artist, you're an artist. If you're a photographer, you're a photographer. If you're a banker who's also a football player, restructure your life in such a way that there's a clear distinction to who you are at work and who you are when you're creating reels or tiktoks or playing golf or who you are when you're playing football. As a result, your outlook will represent context.

People will watch you, listen to you, and need to place you somewhere. If they're going to offer you a job or a speaker role, they need a place to start from.

You cannot be everywhere at once, no matter how talented you are.

I made this mistake once and learned from it. Know the bricks you're laying down for yourself because outlook is important, especially in today's climate.

Watch out for your social media engagement as well. Follow accounts of individuals you align with, DM them for coffee, a catch-up session, or arrange a call. Don’t give up when you don't get a response. Some of the people we look up to have lives away from social media too. They deal with things we may not know of, so be kind and considerate in how you approach them as well. They won’t always owe you their time, and you cannot demand it by being rude.

Switching Perspectives

Growth is most valued when you're consistently switching perspectives. As you grow in your career, you'll learn and unlearn many things. Always have a teachable spirit. You don't know everything.

Some people are still stubborn, wanting to do things the same way they did three years ago.

Always be open to new knowledge and challenge yourself to reconsider when presented with new evidence. Adjust accordingly. Review new information, weigh it against what you know, and introduce yourself to new frameworks.

This is good for your career, helping you get along with managers and superiors. Showing that you're teachable and able to adjust without ego or pride will help you make progress.

Dealing with demanding managers in any professional field can be challenging, but it's important to remember that supervisors and direct managers are tasked with protecting the company's interests. It's easy to take things personally, but try to express your concerns diplomatically and present your views professionally.

Often, conflicts stem from misalignment rather than malice. It's rare for a manager to be intentionally adversarial. Ask yourself if you're meeting your responsibilities effectively. Effective communication is a skill that takes time to build, it’s not just a slogan.

Alignment and Rebranding

Birds of the same feather do not always flock together (my unpopular opinion); sometimes you could just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You cannot always control this but you can navigate it.

Associations can create perceptions of you that may not be consistent with who you truly are, especially in friend groups you are trying to outgrow and areas of your life you need to improve in should you desire to elevate in your personal life and career. Be careful.

I learned this the hard way and will never make the same mistake again. Give yourself grace to be open to different people but learn quickly when to withdraw and set boundaries.

As you manage a young career, offer context to your journey and build an image. If your image is to be a financial literacy expert, align yourself with brands that do that. If your career involves sports, align with people and brands in that field. When attracting investors, potential employers, or project collaborators, they need to place you somewhere.

Alignment is important. If you want to get into sports, invest in sports literature and knowledge. If you want to venture into private equity, align with private equity firms. Network with private equity analysts. Use LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for alignment.

Rebrand yourself in the direction you want to go. I do not mean that you should become unfriendly or egotistic - I mean, be firm in the direction you want to go. This is personal for you.

Transitioning into a New Role

As you transition into different roles, challenges will arise, such as imposter syndrome. Understand that you got here by being intentional. Nothing happened by chance. You are smart, deserving, and in that room because you wanted to be there.

Most of what we experience in life is manifested because we put our best foot forward. Never feel like you're begging or someone is doing you a favor.

If you've worked hard to get into a certain room, it's not easy. People will talk, some will make fun of you, some will feel used, and some will not understand you fully. It's not your job to get everyone to like you. Eventually, you'll have the confidence to walk into a room and announce yourself because it's time!

Let people know you're there because you've envisioned it since you were young or in university. You deserve to be heard in a respectful, professional way. Make yourself known in the rooms you enter.

A good friend of mine Omar Njie, MBA advised me this year after the Oxford Africa Freedom Day Event that I should consistently reframe my mind. You should focus on the pointers below too:

Reframe: Remind yourself that you got where you are because you worked hard for it. Nobody did you a favor. Celebrate: Your victories are yours. You earned them. Observe CANI (Continued And Never -ending Improvement: Stay on this path.

Now That You're Here…

Always remember, nothing happens by chance or coincidence, well, maybe a few things do, but that's not the point. You are here because you've put in the effort to become the professional you need to be. Swim in this privilege.

Understand your WHY. Navigate the reasons why you're building wealth or walking the path you're on. This is personal.

Understand your relationships, from who you're dating to friends and acquaintances. Understand why you're in that setup. It will help you manage your young career as you ascend to the next level.

Good luck, friend. You’re doing great!