For the young, what you learn is critical

For kick starting your career, what you learn is far more important than what you earn.

Good luck to those who find themselves both earning and learning straight out of school or university.

The reality is that it does not happen often.

The link between academic knowledge and business practicalities is often tenuous. Academic knowledge often doesn’t translate well into business culture.

Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and architects are more likely to be able to instantly apply their academic training to their workplace. They are generally paid well as soon as they are fully qualified.

But graduates of Business Management or Human Resources Management, for example, are less empowered and less able to apply the principles and theories of their training to their job - and they are therefore not as generously compensated in the early years.

The business world is complex, continually changing and variable. When young management hopefuls start a new role, they have to learn to cope with the day-to-day workings of the business and the complexities of organisational communication and structure.

This experience can’t be gleaned from a book or a course. Being at the ‘coal-face’ will give the young manager invaluable lessons in people management, processes and organisational behaviour. While financial rewards may be in the future, another valuable lesson will be patience.

Rather than simply paying one’s dues, the time spent at the bottom of the ladder is a rite of passage. Many of Australia’s top managers are proud of their lowly beginnings. The manager of one of Australia’s biggest retail chains proudly proclaims his beginnings as a ‘trolleyologist’ – a shopping trolley collector.

The key for a young manager is to put aside his pride, and focus on learning as much as he can as soon as possible. ‘Glamour’ industries such as advertising, the media and fashion are notoriously tough to enter. Young people with their hearts set on these fields, have to recognise that they will most likely be paid very poorly to begin with and be worked very hard. However, it can be worthwhile in the long run.

The compromise is to take a role in a company that pays well but is in an industry or role that doesn’t excite you. Unfortunately, many people start their careers this way, slowly work their way into management, and realise too late they are in the wrong job or even the wrong field.

Tips for kick starting your career

For managers not yet commanding large incomes, there are many opportunities to learn and advance. Here are a few ideas for getting the most out of your position:

• Learn as many different roles as possible. This broadens your appeal for a potential promotion;
• Network with those you admire. Learn from them as much as possible;
• Take initiative and go beyond the call of duty - it gets noticed by your managers;
• Move sideways rather than stagnate in an unchallenging role. If necessary change organisations;
• Find a way to stand out, take calculated risks;
• Go back to school part time;
• Try not to generalise your skills, be the master of a few trades; and
• Get a coach or mentor who can keep you focussed on your goals.