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Naturally, employers seem to want to get the most out of you for the least amount of money. When it comes to advancing in your career, many companies seem to lend a deaf ear to you. All those education bennies they claimed to offer, all the advancement opportunities they claimed to offer, they never seem to materialize.
Colleges want to sell you their educational services. They don't care how much it costs you or where it gets you in life. They just want your money. So how can they be trusted to offer you a better future?
My question is simple. How do you get ahead in life? Has it come to a point where you need to job hop every couple years to move up? Is additional education a waste of time and money particularly when it's in a company's best interest to pay you the least amount of money? What are your thoughts?
I'd like to hear from the experienced veterans who have had success (i.e. higher salary, crucial roles in a company, etc.) in their careers. How did you get ahead in life? What strategies did you use?
A lot of success in the work world is about how you network, schmooze people and make yourself appear. I've noticed that the outgoing guy who knows how to work people and who makes it appear as if he is indispensable gets more praise and attention than the quiet little mouse who keeps his head down and works hard.
For you to post such a thread I can surmise that you are jaded about your current workplace. When it comes to your company - keep your eyes open. Look at the people who have been there a long time. That is your future. If there is a lot happening with the company and people are being moved up then it will be apparent. But, if you look around and see beaten down guys making barely $40,000 a year after 20 years of service....screw that. If you are not content or it is obvious there is no future then look for another job. I've had to do it myself.
This all coming from a college dropout non-professional.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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How do you define "moving ahead"? For me, it's been about money and benefits to a certain extent, but as I get older (and have more savings); I'm much more interested in freedom and flexibility.
I think I'm more of an opportunist. I tend to see opportunities and go for them. I'm open to anything. I also always have more than one income stream--one of them is always passive and I'm always earning some kind of self-employment income. I work hard for my employers, but I don't feel any sense of loyalty to them (as in I'm looking forward to the gold watch or anything). I always, always have a plan B and usually a C, too. I'm always taking classes or studying something in my personal time.
Also, I used to think that big corporations= big bucks; but I have to tell you that I've made the most money and had the most opportunity for learning at small businesses.
Naturally, employers seem to want to get the most out of you for the least amount of money. When it comes to advancing in your career, many companies seem to lend a deaf ear to you. All those education bennies they claimed to offer, all the advancement opportunities they claimed to offer, they never seem to materialize.
Colleges want to sell you their educational services. They don't care how much it costs you or where it gets you in life. They just want your money. So how can they be trusted to offer you a better future?
My question is simple. How do you get ahead in life? Has it come to a point where you need to job hop every couple years to move up? Is additional education a waste of time and money particularly when it's in a company's best interest to pay you the least amount of money? What are your thoughts?
I'd like to hear from the experienced veterans who have had success (i.e. higher salary, crucial roles in a company, etc.) in their careers. How did you get ahead in life? What strategies did you use?
It pains me to tell you this, mcb1025, but getting ahead in life is all about one thing, and one thing only. It's who you know. I have discovered, lo, these 55 years, after beating my head against the wall REPEATEDLY, getting a degree and 20+ years experience in the workforce that you cannot get ANYWHERE in life without sucking up to the RIGHT people.
It is unfortunate that being capable, intelligent, professional, educated and experienced is not enough. Even being able to do the job well is not enough. Quite to the contrary, many people who hold upper-level positions are not effective at, but are there simply because they know the right people.
If you truly want to get ahead in your chosen profession you must concentrate your efforts on getting to know the "right" people so that you can use them to further your career. Be careful though, it's not as easy as it sounds. Often these people have been establishing relationships for decades and it is not easy for an outsider to waltz in and start hob-nobbing with the "big boys". Your efforts to become "one of the gang" instantaneously will be seen through. It must be gradual. If you know someone who "knows someone", who can introduce you to the inner circle, is much better.
Sadly, I have been trying for many years but my unwillingness to prostitute myself to this end has resulted in failure. I cannot pretend to like people solely for the purpose of getting ahead. So I am doomed. I hope you have better luck.
The sad thing I have noticed is the utter **** ups at college or in life in general (personality defects, wackos, losers, schemers) seem to get ahead quicker than those of us who play fair and try to be normal, hard working citizens.
Some manage to segue into sectors where they cannot be fired (teaching for example) and once they do their time, they can basically do whatever and still collect a check.
It pains me to tell you this, mcb1025, but getting ahead in life is all about one thing, and one thing only. It's who you know. I have discovered, lo, these 55 years, after beating my head against the wall REPEATEDLY, getting a degree and 20+ years experience in the workforce that you cannot get ANYWHERE in life without sucking up to the RIGHT people.
It is unfortunate that being capable, intelligent, professional, educated and experienced is not enough. Even being able to do the job well is not enough. Quite to the contrary, many people who hold upper-level positions are not effective at, but are there simply because they know the right people.
If you truly want to get ahead in your chosen profession you must concentrate your efforts on getting to know the "right" people so that you can use them to further your career. Be careful though, it's not as easy as it sounds. Often these people have been establishing relationships for decades and it is not easy for an outsider to waltz in and start hob-nobbing with the "big boys". Your efforts to become "one of the gang" instantaneously will be seen through. It must be gradual. If you know someone who "knows someone", who can introduce you to the inner circle, is much better.
Sadly, I have been trying for many years but my unwillingness to prostitute myself to this end has resulted in failure. I cannot pretend to like people solely for the purpose of getting ahead. So I am doomed. I hope you have better luck.
20yrsinBranson
mcb1025,
Take Branson's post with a grain of salt. It is true that a lot of success is dependent on "connections" and "who you know" but it is ludicrous to claim, as she has, that all who have attained success have done so by "kissing ass."
As one who, like Branson, holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature but who managed to come up through the ranks whilst simultaneously maintaining my integrity-and who kissesno ass other than GOD'S--I assure you hard work and talent ARE essential variables in the equation for most of us.
They are not, however, usually "enough." Learning how to deal with politics effectively is another essential component, but this is NOT the same thing as "kissing ass." For those of us who are not natural politicians, learning to navigate politics is a matter of experience, much of it gained through trial and error (and also training, if you can afford to pay for it on your own).
Given her tendency to overgeneralize based solely on her own unfortunate experience, I suspect perhaps part of Branson's problem is that she comes off in business interactions as a little too much as a "know it all" and that this rubs the right people in the wrong way. Yes, such a personal quality can hold back even smart, educated, and talented individuals.
Moreover, contrary to Branson's claim, you should never, ever "use" anyone for anything, including furthering your career. It is not only immoral, it is also unwise. It is, however, essential to learn how to "box clever" with all your higher-ups, most especially your boss, and "pretending to like people solely for the purpose of getting ahead" and good business manners are not the same thing. I know you will understand the difference.
Finally, the most important variable after the three I mentioned above is plain and simple LUCK.
Last edited by DreamingSpires; 05-10-2010 at 11:44 AM..
Take Branson's post with a grain of salt. It is true that a lot of success is dependent on "connections" and "who you know" but it is ludicrous to claim, as she has, that all who have attained success have done so by "kissing ass."
As one who, like Branson, holds a bachelor's degree in English Literature but who managed to come up through the ranks whilst simultaneously maintaining my integrity-and who kissesno ass other than GOD'S--I assure you hard work and talent ARE essential variables in the equation for most of us.
They are not, however, usually "enough." Learning how to deal with politics effectively is another essential component, but this is NOT the same thing as "kissing ass." For those of us who are not natural politicians, learning to navigate politics is a matter of experience, much of it through trial and error (and also training, if you can afford to pay for it on your own).
Given her tendency to overgeneralize based solely on her own unfortunate experience, I suspect perhaps part of Branson's problem is that she comes off in business interactions as a little too much as a "know it all" and that this rubs the right people in the wrong way. Yes, such a quality can hold back even smart, educated, and talented individuals.
Moreover, contrary to Branson's claim, you should never, ever "use" anyone for anything, including furthering your career. It is not only immoral, it is also unwise. It is, however, essential to learn how to "box clever" with all your higher-ups, most especially your boss, and "pretending to like people solely for the purpose of getting ahead" and good business manners are not the same thing. I know you will understand the difference.
Finally, the most important variable after the three I mentioned above is plain and simple LUCK.
I think our definitions of kissing butt are different. My problem is more one of being very independent and a tad anti-social more than coming across like a know it all. I only do that here on CD. LOL In person I am actually a little reserved and shy. Hard to believe, I know.
It is very painful for me to interact with people on *any* level, and that is my downfall. I will not - CANNOT - play the "social" game. While I agree that to be successful you do not have to go OVERBOARD, but you do have to be able to maintain some social connections. The MORE THE BETTER when it comes to getting ahead. And you cannot deny that many, many, MANY jobs are acquired solely due to who you know. Perhaps this is not so much the case in big cities, but I can assure you wholeheartedly, that in the area that I live (rural SW Missouri) it is by far and away, the most important criteria.
But you make very good points.
20yrsinBranson
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--I assure you hard work and talent ARE essential variables in the equation for most of us. 
