MPW Insider is an online community where the biggest names in business and beyond answer timely career and leadership questions. Today’s answer for: What is one piece of advice all millennials should take before entering the workforce? is written by Barbara Bush, co-founder of Global Health Corps.
Back in early January I shared four tips for aspiring leaders, and while much of that advice applies to millennials entering the workforce, there is one more important lesson I would add: build and nurture a robust professional network. Building and maintaining a professional network will help you to navigate the increasingly complex business world and provide support throughout your career – here’s how:
Find your passion. Perhaps you’ve known what you wanted to do all of your life – or perhaps you have no idea. If you get excited about a certain field, talk to people in a variety of roles and specialties focused on it. By listening to other people talk about their job and their passions, it can help you find your own. Ask them what they do, why it is meaningful to them, what they love most, what challenges them most, and how they got where they are today.
Make informed decisions. The scope and complexity of business challenges today means that effective problem solving is collective problem solving. With an alumni network of more than 450 leaders around the world, GHC encourages relationships with fellow classes. This peer-to-peer learning creates a global community and professional network of innovative thinkers and partners. Identify a person or group of people you can call for guidance as you encounter both challenges and opportunities.
Find a mentor. Identify someone at a senior level in the field that you would like to enter, or ideally within the same organization, as they can help you navigate office politics and internal dynamics. Having a confidant when work gets challenging or frustrating can help you see issues from different perspectives and helps build the resilience necessary to avoid burnout. Remember, you never need to do your work alone.
And while experienced professionals can help you navigate workplace challenges, make sure you also nurture a network of your peers. Learning and growing together, and sharing experiences will help you climb the ladder of success. Whether you’re 24 or 82, we all have something to learn from one another—teachers can be found everywhere.
Read all answers to the MPW Insider question: What is one piece of advice all millennials should take before entering the workforce?
What you can actually learn from getting fired by Gay Gaddis, CEO and founder of T3.
Why social media is a blessing (and a curse) by Pam Wickham, vice president of corporate affairs and communications at Raytheon Company.
The most important thing to consider when accepting a job offer by Lisa Donohue, CEO of Starcom USA.
6 key benefits of having a mentor by Carolyn Rodz, CEO of Market Mentor.
The myth behind climbing the corporate ladderby Shiza Shahid, co-founder and ambassador of Malala Fund.
The one word that will boost your careerby Jennifer Steinmann, Chief Talent Officer of Deloitte.
6 ways to determine if you’re in the right career by Debby Hopkins, CEO at Citi Ventures.
There’s no such thing as a linear career path by Trish Lukasik, Senior Vice President of Sales at PepsiCo.
Want to succeed in your career? Get uncomfortable by Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn.
Listen to your gut — it could make you CEO one day by Kara Goldin, founder and CEO of Hint Water.
Why millennials have the power to change the workplace — for good by Lauren Stiller Rikleen, President of Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership.
Why passion may not be enough to build a successful career by Sarah Leary, co-founder and vice president of marketing and operations at Nextdoor.
How to build a career, not just a job by Alyse Nelson, president and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership.
Best lesson from your first job: discovering your weaknesses by Ann Marie Petach, Senior Managing Director of Solutions Group at BlackRock.
3 ways to get noticed at work by Liz Wiseman, President of Wiseman Group.
Can millennials revolutionize business? by Erica Dhawan, co-author of “Get Big Things Done” and CEO of Cotential.
Girl Scouts CEO Anna Maria Chavez: My best career advice for millennials by Anna Maria Chavez, CEO of the Gir