Significant Career Lesson From A Director Of Operations At Carbon Sequestration
Emilie, a Director of Operations, emphasizes the importance of self-awareness regarding career motivations, stating that "your reasons for working are different" throughout one's career journey. Equally crucial is surrounding oneself with positive colleagues, as "the reality is you're gonna spend more time at work day to day than you are with your friends and your family."
Motivation, Teamwork, Career Development, Workplace Dynamics, Executive/Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Emilie Wood
Director of Operations
Carbon Sequestration Company
UC Santa Barbara
n/a
Environmental & Related Sciences
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Be clear about your motivations for working and how those reasons might change throughout your career.
2. Prioritize working with people you genuinely enjoy spending time with, as work relationships significantly impact daily work life.
3. Understanding your motivations helps you show up effectively as a team member and navigate different career stages.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
There are so many lessons. A few that come to mind are: it's really important to be clear with yourself about why you're working and why you're working for this particular company.
As you grow and change, and have different seasons in your life, your reasons for working are different. At one point, it might be to maximize your earnings. At another point, it might be to learn a new skill to catapult you into another part of your career.
Or, it might be to take a job in a city you want to move to, and the reason you're working there is for that relocation. If you are clear about your motivations, it can be really clarifying to help you show up every day and be a good team member.
Secondly, I think it's about the people you surround yourself with at work. You can withstand a really tough work problem or work environment if you're surrounded by people who you genuinely like spending time with.
The reality is, you're going to spend more time at work day to day than you do with your friends and your family. So, you might as well do it with people who you enjoy spending time with, or else it's just a bit of a bummer day to day.
So, I would say be clear about why you're working and be clear when those reasons change for you. Also, be really picky about who you choose to spend your time with at work.