As we get older, things change and our career priorities and expectations shift. Let’s focus on how professional priorities shift for Millennials when we leave our twenties and enter our thirties. Here are four professional epiphanies for thirtysomethings.
High expectations
In my 20s I was hungry for a business card and a modest salary that would cover my rent and an occasional beer. I was willing (and happy) to work longer hours without overtime or compensation. In my 30s, I still don’t mind working hard, but I‘m aware of the value I’m bringing to my organization and appreciate compensation for my work. I also have more obligations (mortgage, savings, etc) and need an income that can support these things. Things like benefits and a pension have taken on more importance and free time to spend with my family is increasingly valuable.
Don’t sweat the small stuff
In my 20s I was far more focused on the micro. Small mistakes, disapproval and other day-to-day glitches caused stress and upset me. As I grow older, I’ve noticed that I’m more focused on the end result. This is aided by my growing ability to see shades of grey. In my 20s things seemed much more black and white: she was either a good boss or a bad one. The problem was either solved or it wasn’t. As I’ve gotten older, it’s easier to see the value and complexity in every situation. Problems aren’t solved overnight and so even though the ship is turning only 2 degrees to starboard, that’s still progress worth acknowledging.
Wanting to stick around
In my 20s – two years at the same job seemed like a lifetime. While I’ve been fortunate to have found jobs that offered fresh stimulation and boundless opportunities to reinvent what I was doing, I still had a habit of jumping from one branch to the next one. In my 30s, the value (and inclination) to stay put is far more prevalent.
Understanding the power of a network
I don’t think I really started to grasp the power and importance of my network until my 30s. Part of the reason was that in my 20s, my network was still small and junior. I was applying for jobs the old fashioned way (shotgun approach). Today, my network provides me with one of the best ways for me to gather intelligence about my field of work and stay plugged in to opportunities. Its curation and maintenance is also occupying a growing amount of my time. In my 20s I networked haphazardly. In my 30s I network intentionally.