Significant Career Lesson From a Manager of Strategy and Finance at DoorDash
Justine, a Manager (Strategy & Finance) at DoorDash, learned the significant lesson that "who you know is actually a bigger determinant in your career than you think," emphasizing the importance of networking despite initial reservations. This realization, gained through experience and observation of diverse career paths, highlights the value of proactive networking to understand industries and achieve career goals.
Networking, Career Development, Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals, Motivation
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Justine Lee
Manager (Strategy & Finance)
DoorDash
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton, 2016
N/A
Economics
Technology
Finance
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient
Video Highlights
1. Networking is crucial for career success, regardless of educational background or prior experience.
2. Don't be afraid to reach out to and network with people who are where you want to be in your career.
3. Be prepared and respectful of people's time when networking; doing your homework and expanding your network can help you understand industries and career paths better, setting you up for success or pivots.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I hated learning this as an undergraduate because it felt very transactional. But one thing that was kind of pounded into me as an undergrad, and I became able to realize more clearly when I started working, was the importance of networking.
So, I think I would just like to preface this with: don't be intimidated by where other people went to school, what other people have on their resumes, or what other people studied. I knew people who were in my investment banking class who majored in history, and then they ended up at the top private equity firm, which is very unconventional.
And I know people who graduated from Harvard who everyone would talk badly about, like this person for being terrible at their job. So, it's just like what you have on your resume or where you went to school; that doesn't equate to how your career path will transpire.
If you have a clear goal, I would tell my younger self to not be afraid to reach out and network with people who are where you want to be. Obviously, another lesson is to be prepared and respectful of people's time when asking for a coffee or a phone chat.
I wish, looking back, and I also see very clearly as I'm working, that if you do the homework and push yourself to expand your network, you can really better understand an industry or a career path. This can really set you up for a pivot or to excel in whatever path you choose.
So, I guess the TLDR is: one lesson is that who you know is actually a bigger determinant in your career than you think.
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