When one door closes…

Today is the anniversary that almost wasn’t for me.

On July 11, 1987, I began my career at Deloitte. After receiving my masters, I was eager to put my skills to work in the “real world” and even more eager to get some money in my pocket (what new grad isn’t?). So, I cast a wide net, sending my resume to several companies, and waited for the offers to roll in (what I lacked in experience, I made up for in youthful confidence).

Ironically, it was Deloitte that would test that confidence right out of the gate. The letter to the right from Deloitte Haskins & Sells is among the first I received in response to my outreach – a rather unceremonious “thanks but no thanks.” Not exactly the response I was hoping for. But, I was lucky in that I didn’t have too much time to go down the rabbit hole of self-doubt. Only a few weeks after being rejected by Haskins & Sells, a couple of offers came my way, including one from Touche Ross (which ultimately merged with Haskins & Sells to become Deloitte!). I gratefully accepted their offer to be an associate consultant in their Consulting Practice. But, with 30 wonderful years [and counting!] at Deloitte, the lesson of that rejection is not lost on me – probably why I saved the letter.

The road to success is rarely a smooth ride. Rejections and failures come with the territory. They certainly have in my case. Perspective comes slowly on that, but it does come.

At the time, receiving that letter from Haskins & Sells was deflating. In retrospect, I think the initial ego bruise served me well. It gave me the perspective I needed to begin my career at Deloitte with just the right balance of confidence and humility – which I firmly believe is the winning mindset in any career situation.

And ultimately, it was a reminder that when one door closes, another one invariably opens. In my case, it just turned out to be the same door!