Run Off The Mill

Hey! It's been awhile, and we apologize for the wait and this news. Run Off The Mill Podcast is ending. To be honest, we are a little burnt out; more respect to people that have long term podcasts! I let my podcast crew members know that I feel content with where the podcast has gone, and if I were to end it today I would be fine with this event. 2021 is a new year with new endeavors planned. We are at a point where we are getting busier with life outside of work and adapting to the immediate future. Thank you to our faithful and any new podcast listeners. This video is short with closing comments. We sound a bit sad, but we are so humbled hearing feedback that we have helped anyone listening. To anyone new, Run Off the Mill is a career podcast with relatable career tips and advice. I will leave the podcast up as a resource to anyone interested. Until then, stay golden, the career world can be extraordinary and full of possibilities!

We all want to find fulfillment in our careers. Whether it's in corporate, freelance, non-profit, etc. Depending on what stage you are in your career, it's okay to keep actively seeking an opportunity for fulfillment. When I meet people in my network that have found fulfilling careers, their success I saw didn't happen on day one. As corny as it sounds, you have to have someone that believes in you. Believing in the life goals you form, down to respecting the structure you lead your life in. Form a community, build something! You require people in your story; those that present you challenges and those that helped you get to the next step. We remind each other on the podcast that the feeling of fulfillment can be greater accrued by building relationships within your network, new and current. 

Sometimes by chance, or unrehearsed encounter, does an event enable two contacts to become great mutual connections. In the professional world, it isn't the easiest to break down someone's wall. Be genuine, even if the first meeting was awkward. I remember the times in undergrad when meeting a new friend, or associate first hand was an awkward introduction. To this day, it's still awkward for me sometimes. However, in that underlying awkwardness, you open up a conscious avenue to being honest and respectable. The second party you are networking with should pick up on this. You'll survive! Networking can only open doors, as long as you put in the effort and show what you can offer. Listen to some of our networking techniques as we build on the truth to networking with tips we put in practice.  

Do you struggle sometimes paying attention at work? Do you sometimes feel you're holding yourself back? Frankly, the real world exposes those types of feelings on our career path. At each career step, from frontline to senior manager, mentors play a crucial role in professional development. Think of coaching; it builds relationships, improves communication, and enhances alignment. Mentors are coaches for making team members feel valued. Mentors are ubiquitous, not just reserved to your peers. A friend, family member, or a random stranger could be a mentor for you! In this episode, we share tips on "finding a mentor" and "willingness on your own part to reach out to a mentor". Just make sure that mentors show success in the area you want to develop in, and also have the values you liken contacts to embody.

The million dollar question! Should you go to grad school? This is something Rahul and Curtis has asked themselves since the time they graduated with their bachelors degree, and they have actually fulfilled it. Everyone's reasons for going back is different, but hear our reasons out for going back! From the inception of reasons why, to the process of applying, was the extra degree worth it for the careers we have now? We feel there is not wrong reason to go back, and Googling some of the top reasons are synonymous in thought and validity:

"I want to switch industries"

"I want to increase salary"

"I want that promotion"

"I want to specialize in a specific field"

"I want to build my network"

"I want to upskill and manage up"

"I want to enter more career opportunities to choose from" 

It's natural to sense the competitiveness in the job market. New technologies arise, and perhaps that causes a skill or two to be unusable for your career. Hear it from two of my podcast members that have their own individual tales to share. Five years ago when we started working different fields, we have up-skilled to doing entirely different roles. Roles that are presented with new and better opportunities. Some may feel a "do or die" mentality in regards to up-skilling. We think it is up to the individual themselves to mitigate that feeling of discouragement. The insight can be provided by someone else, but it is up to YOU to pursue it. 

2020 has been quite the year! Here is a real current events episode from our team for you. 

1) WFH: All three of us have had to work from home since March. Some of us still are working from home to this day! Let's start off with a con, work-life balance in the era of work from home can be quite challenging. Our solutions may not apply for your specific scenario, however, we experienced quite an adjustment. 

2) Burnout. Feeling burn out during the pandemic? Us too! We talk about the feeling of burnout caused by the sudden adjustment to WFH, but also feeling the stress and moral hit of our colleagues around us. In a way, burnout is a sign that you are giving your best effort at work, but be sure to take care of yourself too. We encourage "Mental health days" and proper communication channels to find a balance. Remind yourself that well being is part of your behavior.

Have you ever felt the imposter syndrome at work? Your colleagues tell you that you're doing great, yet you are still uncertain of your capabilities. We all go through imposter syndrome, and it's nothing to be ashamed about. If you're persistent and hard working, stand behind your credentials! Acceptance and taking credit is key during your career. We'll transition 28:44 minutes in towards resume building, with some good tips on how to format your resume in the current job market. Patrick has recently started a new job in July 2020, so he has a lot to share on the new resume building process. Tune in as Curtis and Rahul ask questions so they can prospectively revamp their resume.  

Patrick had a clear vision of what his career was going to be. His journey into the financial sector, specifically insurance, was one filled with long hours in a given work week. He has worked his way up from an analyst, to being a manager, to utilizing his experience as an associate director. His time in the insurance industry has only helped his ability to feel people out. He is the one you want analyzing nuances and offering good judgement calls. We were impressed with Patrick's dogma of "this too shall pass". Why not? Despite his successful climb, his story is also about how being an optimist each day will support others in a world of challenges.

Growing up in a competitive school system in NJ, and partaking in classes next to the over achieving, Curtis had trouble fitting in. STEM was a high interest for him, yet his grades were mediocre. Unbeknownst to him, people saw his potential. It took Curtis time to figure out how to be more confident. To be motivated with a flaming conviction. What Curtis really needed; was to believe in himself more. In 2019, that became his breakout year. He reached his biggest goal of a permanent position at L'Oreal. Curtis learned best realizing it takes a team and help to become competitive and most importantly, learn to trust in oneself. This episode focuses about his climb to getting what he wanted.

Rahul really is a world traveler! Not to be taken lightly. As an east coaster next to NYC, he spent his childhood in a competitive school system in NJ. After graduating college, he started his professional career in Japan as an English teacher. Currently, he is now in an entirely different industry; one of digital technologies focused in innovation and growth. What is fascinating about Rahul's story is the cohesiveness of career change fluidity. Once Rahul sets his sights on an interest, he will push himself to understand that specific field of study. Be inspired, this episode focuses about his climb in adapting to life and fulfilling the proof of concepts through action.