Significant Career Lesson From A Project Manager At An NGO
Alexandra's most significant career lesson, especially early on and as a woman in business, is to "not take things personally," separating professional interactions from personal feelings while also learning to "stand up for yourself and advocate" for their needs—a skill learned through experience. This approach allows for maintaining confidence and navigating workplace dynamics effectively.
Project Management, Communication, Resilience, Confidence, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alexandra Banning
Project/Program Manager
NGO/International Trade and Development Office
UC Santa Barbara
N/A
Communications
Government & Public Sector, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. The ability to separate personal feelings from professional interactions is crucial for success, especially early in one's career. This involves not taking unkindness personally and maintaining confidence.
2. Learning to stand up for oneself and advocate for one's needs is a critical skill that develops over time through experience.
3. While important, developing self-advocacy skills can be challenging, even when understanding the necessity of doing so. This skill is learned through practice and experience, not solely through theoretical knowledge.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I think it sounds a little bit soft. You hear a lot of people say this, but especially being early in my career, maybe also being a woman, I think it's about not taking things personally when you're dealing with people in business.
My friend always says, "It's just business." It doesn't mean it's cutthroat, but if you're dealing with clients or people who are rude or unkind, don't let it get to you.
Don't let it affect your work, of course, but also don't let it affect your confidence because it really has nothing to do with that.
On the flip side, you can and should stand up for yourself. This is something that's taken me a long time to figure out.
I think that's not industry-exclusive, but it's something a lot of early-career people have to figure out, and it's been the hardest thing. Even though you know you need to do it, you can only learn by doing to get to that point.