Stepping Stone Success: 5 Experts at BSU

Yesterday, Thursday 9th May 2024, BSU welcomed five fantastic industry expert guests to discuss their careers with students. More information about each guest at the bottom of the page.

Summary

Among many topics discussed, here is a summary of the notes I took during the lecture.

Networking
– Importance of in-person networking for stronger recall.
– Building relationships via LinkedIn by liking, commenting, then messaging.
– Networking success often hinges on likability and quick personality showcase.
– Being distinctive in person helps you stand out.

Attitude Toward Work
– Embrace mundane tasks to make them pass more easily.
– Accept and learn from the tasks you dislike as it helps identify what you want.

Job Applications and Career Path
– Apply for jobs even if they seem out of reach.
– Attend events you’re hesitant about; you might meet valuable contacts.
– Allow for mistakes in your career; early years are formative but not definitive.
– Don’t rush to accept the first job offer; be selective to shape a desired career trajectory.
– Job seeking is more effective when already employed.
– Consider a proactive approach like shadowing to create job opportunities.

Managing Career Expectations
– Understand the role of failures and setbacks as normal and instructive.
– Avoid sticking to jobs out of fear of CV gaps; it’s okay to leave if it’s not a fit.
– Value every experience as a learning opportunity, whether it’s positive or negative.

Networking Strategy
– Personalize outreach when cold calling or messaging to stand out.
– Use tools like Excel to track interactions and responses for efficiency.
– Engage on social media to establish connections before making direct contact.

Personal Development and Risk Taking
– Reflect on past experiences to gain confidence about future challenges.
– Consider manifestation and positive visualization to achieve goals.
– Choose challenging paths over easier ones to find true satisfaction and growth.
– Embrace difficult situations (“cold showers”) to build resilience and readiness.

The Guests

(From the left to the right of the picture, excluding myself)

Connor Coombs
Associate Lecturer at The University of West of England.
LinkedIn

Yeva Deli
CEO & Founder at Evito Talent, Content Creator, Freelance marketer, Personal Branding.
LinkedIn

Julia Kemp
Founder of Pawpass.
LinkedIn

Bryoni Roberts
Content Director at We the Curious.
LinkedIn

Lauren Stone
Assistant Front of House Manager at Bristol Beacon and Freelance Events Professional specialising in Front of House, Box Office and Stage Management.
LinkedIn

Thank you to every guest and intervenant for making this event successful, including Bronwen and Ben as marketer and organiser.

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