What a Media Director at a Major Retail Company wishes they had known before entering the Marketing Industry
Elena, a Media Director, wishes someone had emphasized the importance of setting boundaries and "clocking out," advising that "the work will always be there" and it's a strength, not a weakness, to refuse tasks. This work-life balance, achieved by consciously prioritizing time with loved ones and travel, ultimately makes Elena a more effective and fulfilled professional.
Work-Life Balance, Time Management, Setting Boundaries, Industry Realities, Stress Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Elena Carroll
Media Director
Fortune 500 Retail Company
Syracuse University
None
Advertising, Public Relations
Apparel, Beauty, Retail & Fashion
Communication and Marketing
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. The work will always be there, so it's important to set boundaries between work and personal life.
2. Saying "no" to certain tasks is a strength, not a weakness. Prioritize tasks and don't overcommit.
3. A fulfilling career involves a healthy mix of work and personal life; it's crucial to make time for loved ones and personal pursuits to be a better employee and person overall.
Transcript
What I wish someone would have told me is that the work will always be there.
It's not a weakness to say that you can't or you cannot do something. It's actually a strength.
When I was young and starting, I said yes to everything and eagerly thought that enthusiasm meant I was doing my job. While there's a degree of truth to needing to put in the work, learn, and ask questions, the work will never end.
It's important to set boundaries for when you can and should stop. So much of what's important to me is spending time with loved ones, traveling, and family. If I don't have that mix in my life, I'm not as good at my job.
I consciously recognize that now and am very tuned into it. The work will quite literally never end; that's the point. That's why jobs exist.
I wish someone had told me that you need to clock out. It's as important for you to stop as it is for you to start, and that makes us all stronger. It makes me a stronger employee.
Work should feel fulfilling, not all-consuming. I live to work, and I want my work to be fulfilling, but I also want it to help me live and do other things that take me away from my laptop. That's advice I've learned that has been very helpful.