How To Connect Passion With Success

Over this past month I have come to a realization about myself and my career. I’ve learned that I will most likely be working in the advertising/marketing industry for the rest of my life. When it comes to practical, applicable knowledge, I know more about marketing than I do about anything else (even economics, which I major in). I’ve gained this knowledge of marketing through my internship experiences. Essentially, I inadvertently chose my career path without even realizing it. Luckily, I love what I do, and am very passionate about marketing solutions.

I'm not talking about this kind of passion. Unless you want to do risque photos for your career!

Had I obtained an internship with an investment bank or web development shop, I would be on a much different path than I am on now. I was very, very lucky to find an internship in an industry that I love before even realizing that I loved it. Now, as I move forward with my career, I can connect the dots that I’ve created over the past 3 years. As the old saying goes, “hindsight is 20/20”; it is very clear to me now that had I chosen an internship in a different industry I would be no where close to where I am now.

Strong and relevant internship experience is crucial to success in your job after graduation. It gives you real world experience that cannot be learned formally, and greatly reduces the learning curve of starting a new position. However, if you choose to work in a different industry than the one you interned in, you are basically starting over at step 1. You will have to learn the ins-and-outs of this new industry, and that could take years.

Obviously we all do not have the luxury of picking whatever internship we want. However, we all have the ability to begin thinking about what we want to do for the rest of our life. If you already have internship experience and did not exactly like what you did, it is time to move on. Even if the internship paid particularly well, in the grand scheme of things, a few grand will mean nothing. What will be meaningful is that you have a job you love and are excited to wake up to every single day.

That's the kind of passion I'm talking about

Never settle- keep working to find something you love. You’ll know it when you find it… your heart and intuition has a way of alarming you. It won’t be easy, but then again nothing in life worth having is. This winter break I followed my heart, and it led me to amazing places. I chose to not intern or work anywhere this break and spend the whole time networking, working on my career, and building my personal brand. From getting free lobster courtesy of the owner of a night club, meeting numerous executive at companies I admire, re-connecting with old friends, working on personal projects (more on this in my next post), visiting plenty of offices, and drinking a lot of coffee, I have had an absolute blast this winter break. I was able to accomplish everything I sought out to achieve this break, not because I am gifted, but because I am passionate.

In conclusion, follow your heart. It will take you on an incredible ride.

Dealing With Doubt

A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. -David Brinkley

I have noticed that whenever one attempts anything beyond the status quo in society that you are going to face a lot of doubt and adversity from those around you. There are going to be a lot of people who will tell you you can’t achieve what you are setting out to do and that you should just settle.

What do you think his peers originally said about his path?

Recently, with my job search, I have been facing a lot of adversity for the decisions I have been making. At this point in my life, I would rather pursue my dreams and fail rather than work a stiff job for the rest of my life and wonder “what if”. I understand that I have loans and bills to pay but, as scary as this sounds, college graduation is the time time where we essentially decide the track for our life.

I implore all of you with an entrepreneurial spirt to pursue your dreams and do what everyone else thinks is a waste of time. It will be hard sometimes to keep believing in your dream with so much doubt coming from the people closest to you but achieving your dreams is never easy. As long as YOU believe in your heart that you are doing the right thing and you have some trusted advisors who believe in you as well then keep moving forward. It is going to be scary, volatile and outright uncomfortable but I challenge you to not settle.

As a side note, my definition of an entrepreneur is someone who can turn life’s obstacles into opportunities. Being an entrepreneur does not mean necessarily starting your own business. You can be entrepreneurial in your job search by searching for jobs that are a bit more uncommon such as a position within Rolls-Royce.  In order to make a difference you must see things differently and do things differently.  The world is truly yours right now and ANYTHING is possible as long as you are willing to get your hands dirty.