Readers’ Advice for the Next Generation

Last week I asked people to give me advice about what to include in my course (“Managing Professional Relationships”) at the Ross School of Business at UofM. The course is designed for junior and senior undergrads who soon will be entering the workforce. I had many extremely interesting and helpful responses which I would like to share with you.

This week, I am sharing some of the responses and will continue to share more over the next few weeks.

I want to thank everyone for their contribution, and I would like to encourage everyone to comment on these and feel free to add your own.

Here are a few of the responses:

1. Perform your responsibilities at an extremely high level
2. Go out of your way for other people
3. Find people you respect, and find out their birthdays, children’s names, and interests
4. Read Harvey McKay’s “Swim with the Sharks”
5. Read Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”
6. Show up on time and stay late
7. Don’t let your guard down, you don’t want to be known as a partier, playboy, or golf addict. You want to be known for what you can deliver.

1. Ask for advice constantly from more senior professionals
2. Remember that most everyone wants to mentor younger people, but they don’t want to start the conversation
3. In the “its who you know” world, having a few good references early can be a big plus
4. Working in the not-for-profit sector can be extremely beneficial

1. There are valuable lessons to learn wherever you go and whatever you do.
2. Consider all your early jobs as long term paid interviews. You’ll learn negative lessons and positive lessons from everyone around you. You can learn a tremendous amount from both.
3. Volunteer as much as you can. If you are an engineer, volunteer to help the sales team. If a salesperson, volunteer to help a customer with a non-profit they are supporting.
4. Read Adam Grant’s “Give and Take”
5. Find the moments that make your heart sing, and learn why.
6. Read Michael Ray’s “The highest Goal”
7. Don’t stay in a bad job too long, but don’t quit at the first sign of trouble. Some times things improve.
8. If you see bad examples of leadership or morality, take them as lessons of what not to do. Don’t emulate them.
9. If you see good examples, build relationships with these people.
10. Be a good example to those around you.
11. Know yourself
12. Follow what your heart says
13. Mind your other responsibilities in life, and then choose. Don’t let the choice be made for you.
14. Take charge of your life

1. Be a good listener
2. Learn from others in the field
3. Share what you are doing with those who might need to know
4. Follow your passion and your dreams
5. Find a way to make things happen
6. Don’t look for the easy way out of situations, but always the right and honest way
7. Don’t stray too far from the profession you are trained for, because all of your wonderful knowledge is fresh and it is important to put it to good use.
8. Don’t necessarily do what your parents want you to do.
9. Draw from every life experience as you go forward in doing the job you want…. one that makes you happy