Career Advice

Everyone wants a career that will give them stability and prosperity, but identifying the job or business that will get them there is easier said than done. Investing in your personal and professional development will help you realize your goals and discover expectations that are necessary to grow. We interviewed local professional influencers and here is what they had to say:

FROM LOCAL INFLUENCERS

“If we aim at nothing, that is exactly what we will hit, NOTHING!. At whatever level of career or life stage you are at, set your sights on a goal, begin to understand the steps needed to work toward that goal, and then formulate a plan, with action steps, to begin achieving that goal. If we are not moving forward, then we are standing still; and while we are standing still, opportunities may pass us by. Whether personal, professional, financial or health-wise, being intentional about taking even small steps, as long as they are consistent, can soon become giant leaps”

Jason Benitez - Capital Region Chamber Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Albany, New York

Email: jbenitez@capitalregionchamber.com Website: Capitalregionchamber.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-benitez-64a269b3/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/capitalregionchamber

“What’s for you will be for you, and what isn’t, won’t.”

The best thing you can be is yourself, and if that isn’t good enough for your employer or client, then that employer or client probably isn’t the right one for you! Don’t allow an employer or client to dim your light, your fashion, your style, your professionalism, your cultural identity and/or expression, your passion for things outside of work, the way you own or manage your position, or who you are during your personal time. No dollar sign is worth giving up who you are, because you were born to shine. Always remember to be bright, be bold, and be YOU!

Jermaine Wright - 8 Count Kitchen Personal Chef, Dance Instructor, Millennial Marketer Capital Region, New York

Email: jwright@8countkitchen.com Website: 8Countkitchen.com Instagram: @maine_oh Facebook: @8countkitchenTM

There are two pieces of advice that have served me well and I believe have helped me on my journey. The first is your career is not a linear path, life is not linear. Many times we think we are going in one direction and a new and different opportunity appears that we might not have thought of a few years ago but hopefully we learned and grew along the way so an opportunity presented itself. Directions may change and this is ok, in fact it is often a blessing. The second was to find mentors, coaches, and people who you respect and have integrity to learn from. Having someone like that can, of course, help you move along in your career path but also help you learn about life, how you want to be in your career, how you want to show up, and can help provide advice when/if things become challenging. Those people for me made all the difference, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. The last thing I would add is to always be true to who you are, even when it isn’t easy.

Jessica V. Gilbert Senior Operations and Contract Specialist Schenectady, New York

Email: jgilbert@matransitionservices.org Website: Matransitionservices.org

“There is a version of you in the future that is waiting for you to catch up!” As long as we are making strides to be better today than we were yesterday, even when something seems insurmountable, it can be achieved, one day. Set your sights, prepare and don’t lose confidence. Sometimes we move sideways before we continue our journey, but everyone has a purpose, you just have to find yours and make it your own.

Jessy Santana The Way We Work Canada

Organizational Culture Strategist Email: j.santana@theway-wework.com Instagram: theway_wework/ LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/jessysantana/

Goals are important to have so that you know where to direct your energy and efforts. But being successful is more about growth setting than goal setting. Learn through your journey, go at your own pace, and just be a little better each day.

Atena Crain Styled by Atena, Inc. Capital Region, New York

Personal Stylist Email: info@styledbyatena.com Website: StyledbyAtena.com Instagram: atena_crain Facebook: Atena crain LinkedIn: Atena Crain, E.A.