The Most Important Career Advice My Father Gave Me

I grew-up in a military household, my father was a career officer in the United States Air Force. I guess this makes me a “military brat” (I’m okay with that). People may assume I had a strict upbringing, learning early to say “sir” and “ma’am,” and admittedly, I am still quick to use someone’s surname to show respect. But when I think of my childhood, my memory doesn’t linger on the rules of the household. Instead I recall and can feel the passion my father had for his job, and the commitment he had to serving our country.

My father, Colonel Mark Anderson, worked in Special Operations for the Air Force, and retired after 28 years active duty followed by 12 years as a civilian – 40 years of service. Often deployed overseas, he always had his duffle bags pre-packed, and was frequently called without notice to deploy on a mission. An employee of arguably the largest bureaucracy in existence, the United States Government, he had very little control over his duties, or when he would need to uproot and relocate his family. My parents moved 13 times during his active-duty career. His promotions were decided by a committee of senior officers whom he had never met, who judged his potential based solely on the paperwork that accompanied his file. In spite of the challenges, he just faithfully carried on year after year, and both of my parents quietly made all the personal sacrifices that a life of service required. At the time, I was too young to understand it all, but now that I have my own career, trust me, I get it.

Despite the hardships of deployment, the bureaucracy, and a starting salary of less than $40,000 a year (in today’s dollars) for a college graduate, my dad never complained about the rigid realities of his public service. Before I even understood what a job or career was, I knew my father loved his. Whatever he was doing, it was clear there was a purpose to the hours he spent on the job. When my father spoke about his work, I could feel the dedication he felt to the people on his immediate team, and his connection to the mission of the Air Force. I knew when he wasn’t home with us, he was doing something important, something that he loved.

I didn’t follow in my dad’s footsteps with a career in the military, but his sense of service continues to inspire me. My “military brat” upbringing and the example my parents set are in large part responsible for my own motivation to find passion for the work I do. I am grateful my dad showed me it’s possible to love a job and love and care for a family, and not feel like one must be a sacrifice for the other. This is a not a small thing.

Last year we spent Father’s Day together, but with thousands of miles and travel challenges separating us this year, we will celebrate on Sunday over video chat. And I’ll reminisce with old photographs, for the example he set for me.