Significant Career Lesson From a Budget Supervisor at LA County Child Support Services
Godfrey, a Budget Supervisor, emphasizes the significant career lesson of actively networking and "listening to anyone and everyone," considering all colleagues valuable sources of knowledge, regardless of their position; this approach, combined with proactive outreach to professionals on LinkedIn, proved invaluable in building their career.
Networking, Communication, Career Development, Mentorship, Job Search
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Godfrey Gozos
Budget Supervisor
L.A. County Child Support Services Dept.
University of California - Irvine
Master's of Public Administration at USC
Economics
Government & Public Sector
Finance
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. The importance of networking and actively listening to colleagues at all levels of an organization.
2. The value of learning from diverse perspectives and experiences, even from those in seemingly less significant roles.
3. Proactive networking strategies, such as utilizing LinkedIn to connect with professionals in desired fields and seeking mentorship opportunities.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
One lesson I learned late and wish I'd applied earlier is the importance of not only building your network but also learning from and listening to everyone around you at the workplace.
Everyone is a subject matter expert in their field. You'd be surprised how much you can learn from anyone, whether they're in the executive office or the mailroom. They all have something crucial that you can use in your position and anywhere you go.
Even in previous internships and jobs, every bit of knowledge and every person I talked to and listened to has been helpful when applied to my job today. I wish I'd been more open to asking questions as a younger person, especially as an undergraduate entering the job field.
It's never too late to ask questions. As you start asking, know what position and role you're applying for. Go to LinkedIn, search for people in that position you might be connected to, and then email or message them. Ask for advice and see if you can pick their brains.
These are huge steps, not only for building a network but also for showing that you're open to learning from those already in that role. That's a major takeaway for me.