Two Decades of Work: 20 Career Lessons That Shaped My Professional Journey

This fall marks a significant milestone for me—20 years of paid employment. about 14 of the 20 in Canada. It feels like just yesterday that I graduated from university in 2004 and began my career as a research assistant at a law firm while waiting to proceed to law school. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with diverse organizations in various roles.

Looking back to when I started as a fresh, inexperienced, and single-skilled law graduate, I can't help but feel immense gratitude for each step of this journey. The lessons learned, the experiences gained, and the people I've encountered have shaped my career and who I am today.

As I reflect on these two decades, I’ve gathered some key insights that have guided me. While these may not be universally applicable, they have certainly had a positive impact on my career. I continue to internalize and apply them as I grow, both personally and professionally.

1.?Where and how you start your career can shape your entire life.

Your first job sets the tone for your career. The skills you develop, the network you build, and the mindset you adopt in those early stages can significantly impact your professional journey. Personally, the work ethic I saw around me in my first paid employment was very difficult to break from. I found very early that laying that strong foundation was non-negotiable if I wanted a more fulfilling and sustainable career growth.

2. Building positive work relationships is crucial.

Healthy relationships with colleagues, superiors, and even subordinates help develop your personal brand in the workplace. While not only creating a supportive environment that fosters productivity, innovation, and personal well-being, it may make the difference between being a desirable employee or a dispensable college. In every role, I’ve seen the benefit of strong workplace connections which enhances collaboration and creates opportunities for me. Good relationships open difficult doors!

3. Having a mentor is essential for career growth.

A mentor provides guidance, offers perspective, and helps navigate career decisions. I’ve learned the importance of seeking out someone whose experiences you admire and who can challenge you to grow in ways you never thought possible. Mentorship shouldn’t necessarily be formal, I am a big advocate of allowing positive role modelling to mentor my career development, replicating excellence and good practice is a direct benefit of such mentorship.

4.? Work friendships can be complex and require careful navigation.

While it's great to bond with colleagues, mixing personal and professional relationships can be tricky and costly too. You should always seek to understand, respect boundaries and maintain professionalism at all times. It can ensure long-term career success. Not everyone at work will or should be your friend, and that’s okay. Endeavour to be cordial and neutral in conflicts. You never know who is watching and taking notes.

5.?Maintain connections with those who have supported or mentored you.

Keeping in touch with past managers, mentors, or colleagues who added value to your career is crucial. Appreciate and celebrate the contributions they have made to your growth. It is a small world after all. Moreso, they often serve as references, provide career advice, or open doors to future opportunities. This I have benefited from over the years, my references are my past employers and bosses, and they are always pleased to provide any references.

6.?Regularly assess your career path in the early years and be open to adjustments.

Your first few years in the workforce are formative. Take the time to evaluate where you’re heading, and don’t be afraid to pivot if necessary. Career paths aren't always linear, and sometimes adjustments are essential for long-term success. The frontiers of work and learning are constantly expanding, and the future belongs to those who can sense the change before it happens and ride the waves into the future!

7.?Self-development requires proactive effort and initiative.

No one will drive your personal development for you. If you want to grow, you cannot wait for your organization's training and development budget before deciding to improve yourself and invest in your career. Employees who do this grow faster and take on more responsibilities quicker as it demonstrates initiative and determination to succeed. Whether through certifications, new skills, or exploring new roles, you are the architect of your career growth. Lifelong learning and curiosity have always been my guiding principles, there is no limit to our capacity to acquire new skills, none!

8.? Avoid staying in toxic work environments as they can affect your overall well-being.

There is always a choice here. Toxic workplaces can negatively impact your mental health, job performance, and personal life. Often we are tied down because of factors we can't immediately control, however the longer in that situation the worse on all fronts. My worst employment significantly impacted my personal life and well-being. It is just not worth it, regardless of compensation or benefits. If you find yourself in such an environment, it’s important to recognize it early and plan your exit strategy.

9.?Effectively manage relationships with your superiors.

Learning how to “manage up” is a crucial skill especially if you intend to end up as a leader yourself. It is endearing and refreshing when a subordinate understands the leaders and can work around some of the challenges in the workplace with ease. This often entails understanding your boss’s work style, anticipating their needs, and communicating effectively. A strong working relationship with your boss will always open doors for career advancement.

10.?Understand and adhere to workplace rules without exceptions.

I have seen great careers being torpedoed because the employee is lackadaisical about workplace policies and procedures. These policies and procedures exist for a reason. By knowing the rules and adhering to them, you minimize risk and increase your reliability and reputation within the organization. Failure to adhere to these rules often ruins any possibility of consideration for a leadership position and can lead to serious consequences up to and including permanent separation from the organization.

11. A deep understanding of your business sets you apart for success.

One of the ways to easily separate yourself from the pack in paid employment is by demonstrating a sound understanding of the business. It is often easily noticeable and regardless of your role, everyone wants someone who knows the business in meetings, presentations and critical stakeholder meetings. Going beyond just doing your job and truly understanding how the business works can put a good spotlight on you. Knowledge of the company’s goals, finances, and industry trends enables you to make more meaningful contributions and sound decisions in your role.

12.?Organizational politics is real; navigate cautiously or opt to stay neutral.

Office politics are inevitable in any workplace. Being aware of them without engaging in unhealthy behaviours can save your career from unnecessary conflict. Stay professional, and focused, and avoid getting entangled in gossip or power struggles. People have agendas and be careful not to be an item in a game you know nothing about. Stay vigilant and cautious.

13.?Treat every job as temporary and plan your career trajectory accordingly.

Paid employment is temporary. No job lasts forever. Plan ahead, stay adaptable, and always have a strategy for your next move. This mindset helps you stay flexible in an ever-changing work environment and ensures you’re always prepared for new opportunities. Don’t ever be caught flat-footed, the work is changing fast so is the workplace too!

14. Practice fairness and consistency when in leadership roles.

As a leader, fairness, and consistency build trust with your team. Once there is the perception of an absence of this, the leader’s credibility becomes a serious consideration for the team. Your team will always appreciate knowing that decisions are made with integrity, which fosters loyalty and respect, regardless of how complicated the decision is.

15.?Dedication and reliability are key to being a valued team member.

The golden rule is for you to do your job! Consistently delivering on your commitments and being someone, your team can rely on is crucial for long-term success. It's one of the most straightforward ways to build a strong professional reputation over time. Let your reputation for excellence go ahead and speak for you!

16.?Maintain a healthy work-life balance and prioritize vacations.

After all, we work so we can have the quality of life we desire. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle, but balancing your career with personal time is critical. Taking your vacations and downtime seriously helps avoid burnout and keeps you refreshed and motivated. Sadly, a lot of us do not know when to shut off, and even more tragic is to see people pass on immediately after retirement or become disabled in some form or the other leaving them no time or conducive state to enjoy all the work. Hence, strive to work to live, not live to work!

17.?Changing jobs is a natural part of career progression; consider all factors thoughtfully.

Changing jobs is no longer seen as a negative; it’s often a sign of growth. When contemplating a move, weigh all factors—career growth, work culture, and personal satisfaction—before making a decision. Do not feel guilty to leave a toxic work environment and ensure that you are sure of organizational culture and how it aligns with your values before jumping ship! No one is indispensable, which is why it’s important to protect your career by staying relevant, continuously learning, and safeguarding your interests, whether through networking or building your personal brand.

18.?Enjoy your work; it doesn't always have to be serious.

While professionalism is essential, finding joy and humour in your work helps keep things in perspective. A light-hearted approach to challenges often leads to more creative solutions. Often, there are tense moments in the course of work, but from experience tough times never last as long. Don’t let the gloomy days steal the shine. Stay positive, always!

19.?Embrace work challenges; they contribute to personal growth.

Challenges at work might seem overwhelming at times, but they offer invaluable growth opportunities. Tackling them head-on can help you develop resilience and a skill set that will serve you in any role. I have interviewed hundreds in my career, and it is always very apparent candidates who have gotten their hands dirty doing the tough work, they come top every time!

20.?Approach your work with humility, regardless of expertise.

Expertise should never overshadow humility. Approaching your work with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others—even if you are a subject matter expert—builds strong working relationships and promotes team cohesion. Treating others in the workplace regardless of their hierarchy and competency level with respect and grace creates a healthy work environment and encourages even greater performance. Remember, everyone is replaceable.