Significant Career Lesson From a Chief of Staff at Microsoft
Sonia's significant career lessons center on "when preparation meets opportunity," emphasizing continuous learning and networking to capitalize on emerging chances. The importance of daily progress, even small achievements, and consistent networking throughout one's career, "picking their brains, meeting them for a virtual coffee," are also highlighted as crucial for career advancement.
Networking, Career Development, Professional Skills, Mentorship, Work-Life Balance
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sonia Dara
Chief of Staff
Microsoft
Harvard
N/A
Economics
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Preparation meets opportunity: Continuously develop skills and network to seize opportunities as they arise.
2. Daily progress: Even small accomplishments contribute to overall progress and career satisfaction.
3. Networking: Continuously build and nurture professional relationships for growth and support.
Transcript
What is one lesson you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
I would say one of the biggest lessons I have learned that was important across any discipline, any industry is when preparation meets opportunity. Opportunities will show up left and right in so many different ways, but knowing that you have been continuing to learn and build up great skill sets and that you have great networks, hopefully, you can pivot at the drop of a hat when an opportunity comes because you're able to really land it.
I love that kind of mentality. If a new job opens up or a new connection is there, I think of it as an opportunity to really grow my network or grow my opportunities and skillset. That's first and foremost what I've really taken to heart with multiple aspects of my life.
Two was one that Amanda had given me a while back, where she said, "Always feel like you've made some progress in something in a day." There are so many days where, back-to-back meetings, it might feel like a slog.
But I'm a physical to-do list person, and if I feel like I can cross out even one thing off that list, it means I've made some progress in something for that day. It just makes me feel like I'm moving the ball forward. It's a weird mental shift that helps a lot and helps me feel like I'm making progress in my life.
And then the third is really the network aspect, and just growing your community of coworkers, their networks, and understanding there are so many amazing people out there, and their experiences and what they've had. Pick their brains, meet them for a virtual coffee.
That's so important to continue networking. You might be in a new job already and you're meeting people, or you could be in your job for five years; you should still be networking and building that out. I know that was more than one lesson, but I think they've all helped me in my career.