Top 10 nuggets of career advice from Grady alumni
Top 10 nuggets of career advice from Grady alumni
The Grady Career Fair takes place Feb. 13, 2020, making this a good time to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience of Grady alumni.
Following are the top 10 nuggets of career advice from members of the Grady Society Alumni Board shared during the mentoring panel in fall 2019.
“You are a walking billboard: for your family, for yourself and for the company that you join. Everything from meeting deadlines and being prompt to customer service and going the extra mile, it’s all a reflection of you.
— Heather Adams (ABJ ’98), founder, Choice Media and Communications
“Be open to doing something very different from what you might have had in mind as the perfect job. The best experiences in my career were jobs I hadn’t really envisioned for myself.”
— Tracy Brown (ABJ ’88), managing editor, WBEZ 91.5 Chicago
“Make sure you’re living in the present. So many of us get so focused on the future, we forget to enjoy our daily lives. Also, don’t be afraid to put the phone down.”
— Will Carr (ABJ ’06), news correspondent, ABC News
“Don’t rely exclusively on email for communication in your careers. Picking up the phone and calling, or talking face-to-face, are still the most effective and meaningful forms of communication.”
— Jeremy Friedman (ABJ ’96), senior manager of public relations, Golf Channel
“Take initiative. Don’t wait around for someone to tell you what to do. Ask questions, be curious, and show how valuable you are by always being a step ahead.”
— Michael Gray (ABJ ’11), assistant vice president, corporate communications, Wells Fargo
“Say yes! — Move to new cities, take on new/unexpected/scary challenges. Every new experience brings learnings and growth . . . and you just never know where it can take you next.”
— Ashley Hurst (ABJ ’06), digital brand/content media strategist
“When negotiating a salary, always ask about a bonus structure and benefits. Always ask for more. They may not give it to you, but at least they know that you are advocating for yourself.”
— Chad Mumm (ABJ ’08), vice president, head, Vox Entertainment
“Keep your ambition and ethics at the same level—and, push yourself to grow both. You’ll never regret being a good person, in any position you hold.”
— Dana Todd (ABJ ’91), CEO, Balodana
“Always realize that a job interview works both ways. You should also go into the interview to ask questions in order to find out if that place is somewhere you want to be and fits you.”
— Alex Wallace (ABJ ’04), meteorologist, Weather Channel
“Always write a thank-you note—and make it a nice, attractive note people will want to keep on their desk. A thank-you email is fine in a pinch, but if you have time go the extra mile and hand write your card. People don’t print emails and stick them on their desks!”
— Mandi Woodruff (ABJ ’09), executive editor of content, LendingTree