Here's an interesting article I stumbled upon on the web....
By Book or by Bootstrap: Launching Your Career
Ready to jump-start your career? You're not alone. According to the Institute for Career Research--a
vocational guidance program for more than 20,000 libraries and schools in the
will change jobs ten times and will switch careers three times in a
lifetime. Whether your career change is motivated by stagnancy or an eagerness
to explore new opportunities, navigating uncharted territory can be confusing.
It also sparks much debate: What best propels career success--picking up your
career by the book, or by the bootstrap?
Book smarts
Nyema Pinkney, a recent marketing and supply chain management M.B.A. graduate
of
in
opportunities his college gave him to get involved in various activities.
"Whether it's case competitions, business plan teams, mentor/mentee
programs, graduate associations, or class social activities--become a part of
something," he recommends.
Pinkney says that his M.B.A. has opened the door to a range of
opportunities. Last summer, for example, Pinkney won a scholarship to attend
the National Black M.B.A. conference, an event dedicated to developing
partnerships to create intellectual and economic wealth within the black
community.
While Pinkney supports the pursuit of a master's degree, he emphasizes that
on its own, it's not the golden ticket to professional success. "The
largest myth is that an M.B.A. will catapult you to business stardom. Hard
work and good business acumen are still the best keys to opportunity."
Will Mitchell, deputy dean of
of Business, says savvy M.B.A.-inspired behavior involves listening beyond
classroom lectures to what's happening in the industry. "The key education
is only partly in the classroom; the networking of fellow students is equally
important," he says. "Learn by taking on formal and informal team
work, embracing leadership opportunities, and working on projects within the
school and in the community."
Street smarts
Life coach Simon T. Bailey attributes his success to breaking out beyond the
classroom to complement what he learned in school. He found a mentor who
introduced him to key contacts. The former college dropout and author of Release
Your Brilliance explains, "My encouragement came from being
flat broke and having to do something to make it," he says. "I wanted
to give up, but there was a small voice that encouraged me to keep going."
Bailey initially dropped out of
as a hotel front-desk clerk earning $5.10 per hour. "That's where I cut my
teeth in the hospitality industry," he says. And it paid off: Bailey
eventually worked his way up the corporate ladder from desk clerk to sales
director at The Walt Disney Company. A report from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) reinforces Bailey's experience: Although desk-clerk positions
are entry-level and require only a high school diploma, they often create
opportunities for employees to learn about their company and grow into more
advanced positions.
Bailey's Cinderella story didn't happen overnight. Although he did return to
school to earn undergraduate and master's degrees in theology, Bailey admits
that his years in the industry provided him with a distinct advantage over
those armed just with degrees. "People who are street smart can always go
back and hit the books."
For Tana Goertz, being street smart means "being self-sufficient,
resourceful, and skilled enough to succeed at any occupation." Goertz
should know. She's a successful entrepreneur of clothing, furniture, and
e-commerce businesses; a top saleswoman for Mary Kay Inc.; and a motivational speaker.
She's also a former runner-up on the NBC reality-TV show The
Apprentice, which pits contestants in a competition to work for business
tycoon Donald Trump. Season three's premise just so happened to separate
street-smart contestants from book-smart contestants in an effort to see who
would emerge victorious.
"You must have positive traits from both sides to be whole,"
Goertz says. Among her suggestions: taking a personal inventory of your talents
and strengths.
"When making a career move, jot down what you are good at and what jobs
would be a perfect fit," she says. "If the job doesn't exist, make it
exist and tell people why they need you." For example, in 2002 Goertz
designed and sold T-shirts via the Bedazzler, a stone and rhinestone setter, at
the Winter Olympics in
"I saw a need and filled that need. When you get creative, great things
can happen."
The education and experience blend
When it came to re-creating his professional persona, Tom Ingrassia did a
complete 180. The former assistant dean of a business school founded Tom
Ingrassia Productions/Ingrassia Artist Management. "I chucked my academic
career to pursue my lifelong dream of working in the entertainment industry,
for which I had no training," he says. According to the BLS, careers
within this industry are ideal for college graduates with a high level of
creativity and strong communication skills. In fact, in 2004 the median
salaries of promotions managers, public relations managers, and marketing
managers were $63,610, $70,000, and $87,640, respectively.
So how did Ingrassia snag a high salary for managing eclectic artists,
negotiating recording studio contracts, and coordinating concert venues? By
integrating prior work experience with the knowledge he garnered from a
bachelor's degree in history from the State University of New York-Geneseo and
a master's degree, also in history, from the
"You need a combination of book smarts and street smarts to reinvent
yourself and succeed," he says. "I'm not using my history degrees
directly, but every day I use the research, writing, and communication skills I
developed while pursuing my education."
What's right for you?
Rachel Moeller, associate director of career services for
in
sentiment, pointing out the importance of out-of-the-classroom opportunities
for students, which, she says, enhance textbook lessons.
"Whether it is an internship, a co-op, apprenticeship, or similar
experience, you need to get your hands dirty and immerse yourself in the world
beyond the classroom," she explains. In fact, relevant job experience is
important to employers upon graduation. According to a 2005 survey by the
National Association of Colleges and Employers, on average, more than three out
of five new college hires boasted internship experience.
A breadth of experiences, both in and out of the classroom, Moeller says, is
what will ultimately equip students with a powerful punch that encompasses both
classroom and real-life knowledge, and the ability to recognize the value of
the blend. "A chemical engineering graduate employed in pharmaceutical sales
might attend an event with clients at the
she explains. "Because she has had the opportunity to study humanities
courses unrelated to her major, such as art history, she can draw upon that
knowledge to demonstrate that she's a professional of many layers."
Whatever road you choose--street or school--it all comes down to your
motivation, Goertz concludes.
Whether you drive your career path toward an educational pursuit or break
into an industry with an all-out hands-on attitude, many believe the key
navigational tool is having the best of both worlds.
"Book smarts may help you crack the door open, but street smarts will
ensure it stays open," says Pinkney. "A strong work ethic and
personal determination are the key drivers toward success."
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