7 Important Career Tips For Millennials Who Want To Excel

This is one of the most highly requested posts on the blog. I have held back from writing it because I feel like I am not equipped with enough knowledge to give career tips for millennials, seeing as I consider myself a starter too. But since you all won’t stop asking, here’s me pushing aside impostor syndrome to share tips for building your career in your 20s.

A little background story, I have had one job or the other right from my University days. I started to learn how to fend for myself early. You see, I love the freedom and joy that comes with being an independent woman.

Career Tips For Millennials

It’s okay to start from ground zero: Hello dreamer, I will like to bring you forth to reality. I know the thoughts that run through the mind of most millennial when it comes to their career.

For a Nigerian millennial, the dream is to either finish school and secure a high paying job or to go the entrepreneurship route. Trust me, there’s nothing wrong with having big dreams, however, I have found actionable goals produce better results.

So this is me telling you that you might not get a top position at your first trial. No that’s not how it works in the corporate sector, you need to gain experience, you need to build credibility. It’s a slow process. So don’t be afraid to start with as an intern, graduate trainee or associate role, Just ensure it’s a company that has structure and growth process.

Be Open to learn: Yes, you are done with university, but in case you didn’t know, the learning process never ends. You are in another phase of life and it’s imperative that you are open to learning how stuff works in your place of work.

Prove your worth: Aha, my favourite part, see forget all those things they tell you about shrivelling yourself for others. All my life, I’ve constantly fought with an inner feeling of not truly showing how ingenious I am, especially when I am with new people or in a new place but truth be told, you can’t hide a shining light under a bushel.

My advice is you start early to prove that you are an asset to your establishment. Don’t mistake this for being jumpy or too forward, rather steadily prove yourself by meticulously carrying out tasks and delivering in record time. Do your job and do it really well. Your bosses will notice, your colleagues will notice, everyone will know that you are efficient at your job. Slowly, you become the go-to person because you’ve proved yourself to be damn good at what you do.

Avoid Office Politics: They are dirty and they add zero development to your life, except you count being the go-to-office-amebo as an accomplishment.

To be honest, office politics are dicey, sometimes all you have to do is breathe and you will find out other have chosen to pick on you, bully you and generally try to frustrate you and your efforts, especially when you are the new guy. But don’t let it deter you, keep working hard, keep adding value and in all your dealings be wise.

However, I must state that if it becomes a horribly toxic environment and you can’t deal, then take a walk. You are made for more and your peace and mental health is far more important.

Related: Self Care Tips For Working Women

Career development: Like I already mentioned, the learning process is amaranthine. While at your current job, don’t fail to learn new things, don’t fail to invest in your career development. Take professional exams if any applies to your field, start a part-time masters program or even run one online. Just continue developing yourself.

Some Jobs won’t work out: So you are currently at a job but somehow you feel off about it. Maybe you don’t think it’s the perfect place for you, then look out for better opportunities, secure one, then resign.

I honestly don’t advice you quit your job without securing another or without having a proper plan and financial backup. It can be very frustrating. So plot your move before you make that “move” to resign.

Routine Career Evaluation: As humans, we are very mutable. Well, that’s why the phrase “Change is the only constant thing” is quite popular. As we grow older, our aspirations might change. It is very important to routinely evaluate if your dreams still align with your current career path. I’ve read stories of people who found out they had strong interests and zeal for something else and made the seemingly impossible move to make a career switch.

I occasionally think of what making a career switch can be like and it looks like a scary herculean task but so many people have done it. So if you ever feel a strong and justified need to do so, then take the leap.

I like to think of the 20s as the formative career years. This is the time you have to test the waters, find your footing and build yourself as a force to be reckoned with in your industry and the world at large. Your 30s I believe are to further strengthen the foundation you’ve built in your 20’s.

Actually, I just realised I loved writing this post, should we make this a thing? what do you think? I think we should.

Oh, my mind is going on an overdrive already! How about we have a category on the blog, something solely for millennial to share their career journey. Each post will have a millennial who is thriving in his/her chosen career path, share their journey with us. I am excited already, we can call it Millennial spotlight or something.

I’ll like to know if you are interested in this, leave a comment below.

At this point, I know some of you are wondering what it is I actually do (Asides from blogging)

Well, I believe a re-introduction is in order. My name is Gift Collins-Amadi, I am a Nollywood Scriptwriter and Filmmaker. In January, I wrote and produced my first feature-length film which will be coming to your screens soon. I have written over 6 feature-length screenplay and several others for short films.

On the side, I work as a freelancer, my speciality is in content writing and editing/proofreading.

I am currently writing my first E-book and working on compiling poetry pieces, I’ve been writing from the age of 9, into a book.

Now you know me, can I get to know you too? Tell me what you do in the comment section.

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