Comment by garciasn

I started my career journey straight out of undergrad in a completely new state 700 miles from my undergraduate institution and 1300 miles from where I grew up. I knew no one and knew little. I made my way through job-hopping and hard work.

As I developed my professional network, I worked hard to keep contacts over the years and through many jobs. As I continued my upward trajectory I never forgot those who I met along the way and have hired several of them at multiple companies I have worked at over the years with one following me to 4 total companies over the course of 15+ years. I have done this with several others since.

In addition, I try and help everyone I worked with on current challenges in their current roles and/or trying to aid them in finding new ones; either by exercising my extensive professional network and/or giving them advice from the standpoint of my being a hiring manager.

The most important and impactful item IMO, however, is that I will give ANYONE and EVERYONE, known or not known, help when they ask for anything. From those in HS looking for advice on career and degree programs, to internships, to jobs in the real world. This is what I never had. My father is as blue collar as they come and wasn't able to aid me here; my mother worked relatively menial office and retail jobs and thus they were no help in this way to me. That said, I can help others who may or may not have professional connections through their personal networks to make sure they land in the best possible situation as their professional lives kick off and advance through the ranks.

The only thing I hope is that karma is real and that when my kids are of the age that they may need to leverage my growing professional and personal network that they will be awarded with the same thoughtfulness, timeliness, and kindness I have offered over the years.

A previous coworker once told me she's never met anyone who maintains relationships with old coworkers like I do; cultivating a network that helps to place folks, grow folks, and retain folks. THAT is my recommendation to you: work not only to grow yourself but others. It pays dividends personally and professionally and hopefully will help many others, known and unknown.