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Chief
Several officers in the Army tried to tell me I’d look more attractive to civilian employers if I stayed in to take a command (I didn’t listen, fortunately).
Never take advice from someone who’s not where you want to be and has never been there.
Chief
I was enlisted and got pushback for working on my bachelor's instead of taking on more collateral duties.
Got pressured to reenlist, but got out and got MBA. Seems to have worked out.
In a first year, from a female manager: wear your shortest skirt for your meeting with [Managing Partner] if you want him to listen to you.
I didn’t follow her advice, impressed the partner with my actual work, he was my reference for my next two jobs.
Chief
That doesn't even make sense. Seems like a short skirt is an effective way to get attention, but that doesn't mean he's listening.
Chief
Senior year of high school, a guy tried to convince me to turn down the Ivy League school I’d been accepted to, and join an apprenticeship program to become a union electrician.
I once had the head of an electricians union tell me that most days he drove a BMW but he had a car made in Detroit just for going to union meetings/conventions.
My Asian mom: “You must study math and science, because in this country only white people can be successful in business and law. You can only be successful as an engineer.”
Agree with @P1 here on the accent part. I picked up an Aussie accent in my second year living in AU.
My South Asian parents: you're going to get educated but you'll never need to work because you'll get married to a rich dude we'll choose for you.
All of that happened but I also got divorced, moved to Canada and forged my own path
Jumping jobs every 2 years would not look good for my career. Surprisingly that was the thing the PwC recruiter used to show me I had already been consulting for years and if I worked for PwC, the only change would be the same name on the paycheck every year. I’ve been here 6 years and have tripled my salary since starting.
Jumpers are also highest grade talent. Non-jumpers tend to be low skilled and risk averse
Everyone who has ever told me to make practical decisions: i.e. choose the safest job, go for money only, etc. Wrong! I've instead followed my intuition and instinct and taken risks that's worked out really well. And I will continue to do that, with the next jump being out of consulting and to non-profit
When BT acquired my firm, my boss at the time convinced me to jump ship with him to a competitor. Single worst decision of my life emotionally, financially, and mentally. I was back at BT within 3 months and have been promoted twice in 2 years. I think he wanted to keep being a big fish in a little pond. I, however, can and will succeed in any pond! Retrospectively, I think he wanted to keep me reporting to him so I wouldn’t be competing against him for work. 🙄
My parents thought I was crazy to leave the workforce for a year and a half to get my masters. I had a full fellowship. I am so glad I did. That time off allowed me to pivot and my first job after graduating was over $100k. This was 2007 so that was big money then. They also told me not to sell my condo at the height of the market. I didn’t listen and made $50k. I think they didn’t want me, as a young black woman, to take so many risks. They preferred the conservative slow and steady route.
I need to learn from you all! My dads voice telling me I can’t do things is a really strong memory; I have a hard time even visiting them because of all the comments, etc.
From family: go to a state pharmacy school because it's a safer option instead of going for an elite non stem masters on scholarship.
Maybe it wasn't terrible advice from that time but through a series of unforeseen events I ended up studying a lot of data science as part of the program because of the master's degree's quirks. By the time I would've graduated pharmacy school, I was making 20% more than a new grad pharmacist having spent just 2 years in grad school instead of 4, with a scholarship that'd made tuition cheaper than pharmacy school. And I still had way more upside even as a public sector consultant.
Now I have a job offer with FAANG that would pay me double what a mid career pharmacist might make, with public sector work that's way more interesting.
Combine all that with the facts of the PharmD degree that are clearer now: it's gotten way too easy to get into pharmacy school, leading to an oversupply of pharmacists, lower field prestige, and more difficulty with job hunting that PharmDs complain about every day on SDN. Plus their constant inferiority complex relative to MDs, and again, limited upside after a just meh starting salary.
I wish I enjoyed data science. Really. Maybe I just haven’t been in the right place.
“Your major doesn’t matter”
It depends. If you want credibility in scientifically evolutionary organizations, it matters. At every level.
Joining a FAANG for TC but totally hating the work
What role?
'You're not cut out for consulting. You should think ab a different career'
P2: where did that comment come from and in what context? Would like to learn more on what you did differently after that or if at all.
Chief
I was highly encouraged to get an MBA in the federal sector much earlier in my career, which I did.
In that sector, it's a complete waste of time and money. Took me 6 years to pay off the student loans and there was no real career accelerant effect from the MBA even with a job jump upon completion.
Rising Star
Congrats to you. I wish you well. And I hope that your Engineering manager lands on his feet. We’re all trying to figure life out.
Thanks!
As to my old engineering manager, I think he’s doing ok. He was a decent engineer but not a great manager of people (my example was one of many). The problem is that you can’t be just a decent engineer the further on you go. You either become a great engineer or you move on to management.
“If you don’t transfer from this office I will give you a promotion within 6 months. You won’t be able to in the new office” - Manager.
I ignored. Went to the office I always wanted to and did good work and got my promo there in 6 months.
„Your brother is doing engineering so you should do business.“ - me to myself as a teenager 🤦♂️
“You should stay at this company for another 3 years at least even though it harms your mental health”
Early career: Principal- Learning to process map is a waste of time. Me- Learned to process map. Existing client contract ended, principal was NOT clear on a source for new work....went to training and randomly met a Senior Associate with an office in my hometown. He had a defense contract that could float my rate. Flew to DC, interviewed with that Principal the following week. One of the requirements? Must be able to process map. Relocated home (a long-time prayer since leaving) exactly one week later. Thank God for intuition.
To join Northwestern Mutual over Big4 because it's a "top Vault internship."
I didn't listen and I'm now an investment banker at a BB bank.