I can definitely say I learned more at Her Conference 2015 than I ever expected. I thought that maybe I would come out of it with some new ideas of how to run our chapter, or some insight into the future job market for a girl who loves both fashion and writing. Well, two notebooks full of notes later, I left the conference aware of pretty much every do and don’t about getting (and keeping) a job that I will ever need to know.  After hearing so many women speak about how they go to their dream careers I was undeniably excited about what my future held. I felt like the possibilities of my suddenly not so far away career were truly endless. I want to share this newfound knowledge and excitement for the future with all of you HCLMU readers. Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, here’s my top 5 things I learned from Her Conference that can help you navigate joining the working world.
1. Create a Linked-In profile… and use it! It’s way more important than you think. Networking is so important; even if you hate it you have to do it. Whether its at a networking event on Linked-In, get yourself out there and start introducing yourself. Maintain those new connections or prove how perfect you are for the job after an interview with thank you notes. You’d be surprised how far a hand written thank you note can go in any industry.
2. “Take big risks and fail forward.” Don’t let fear keep you from taking risks but at the same time be strategic and only take smart risks. Even if you fail, fail forward aka learn from your mistakes and use it to help you contribute above and beyond to your team.
3. You aren’t too important for any task as an intern OR an employee. Paying your dues is pretty much a standard in any industry. Being excited and dedicated to every task you’re given shows your employer that you really do care about your job. And don’t forget to always do it with a smile.
4. You shouldn’t stay in a job where you aren’t learning. Whether it’s your “dream job” or just something to pass the time, if you aren’t learning it’s not working. Frankly if you stay in a position where you aren’t learning you’re wasting your time and your employers time. Instead take time off to figure out what you want to do moving forward, see if there are any opportunities for promotions within the company, or simply start searching for a new job.
5. Don’t just coast. While getting the work done alone may seem like enough, it’s not. Do your best to be a problem solver in any position and show how much of an asset you are to your team. Remember that you are the only person who can bring what you bring to the table so don’t be afraid to speak up!
And always remember to follow Neha Gandhi’s (VP of Editorial Strategy at Refinery 29) number one rule: “Don’t be an a**hole”.
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