Advice to a big haired career rookie

By Reba Hull Campbell
May 23, 2013

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of my first day in the work world. On May 23, 1983, I walked into 128 Cannon House Office Building next to the US Capitol. That day, I started my job as a receptionist for Congressman Robin Tallon after he hired me, sight unseen, over the phone three weeks earlier. It had been nine days since I crossed the stage at USC to get my Journalism degree (and paid some $300 to settle up my parking tickets).

I had a head full of big permed hair, big expectations and little idea of what I was supposed to do as an employed and fully responsible adult. Looking back, I didn’t have specific career goals in mind at that point, but I did know what I was good at and the type of work I wanted to pursue. Here, 30 years later, I’ve been fortunate to have a rewarding career that combines my love of writing, communications and politics with my curiosity about people and places.

In 1983, I never dreamed my jobs would give me the chance to travel with a Congressional delegation to Taiwan; raise money for causes I believe in; lobby the legislature and Congress for millions of dollars; ride in a fire truck; bike the Golden Gate bridge; get published in national magazines; pick tobacco; work with great SC mayors; have pictures made with famous people like Tip O’Neill and Mr. Rogers; visit 38 states; work on national, state and local campaigns; stand at the podium in the White House press room; or be in the State House dome the day the confederate flag came down.

I’ve figured out a few things along the way that I wish someone had told that 22-year old with big hair walking into her first day on the job. Maybe the thoughts below will be helpful to others just starting out. I write this with huge thanks to all of you – my bosses, mentors, co-workers, friends, family and colleagues I have had the privilege to work with and learn from over these 30 years.

• Establish you own personal brand. Decide what you want your reputation in the workplace to be and let your actions define you. Keep promises and make deadlines. Under-promise and over-deliver. Avoid behavior in your personal life that could reflect negatively in your professional life (even more true today with all the risks of social media in the mix). Remember details count, especially when getting the details right sets you apart from others.

• Seek out a mentor. I’m guessing many busy professionals may say, “I don’t have time to be a mentor.” But most mentor relationships happen naturally rather than being established formally. Be on the look-out for them. I bet my best mentors probably don’t know they even served that role.

• Keep up with the news every day. Read the paper, check news websites and blogs, listen to NPR on the way to work. Know what’s in the news about your organization or industry before your boss or client asks.

• Get away from your desk and walk outside at some point during the day. Even if it’s just to walk around the block or grab a sandwich, your brain needs natural light and a whiff of fresh air, and your body needs to stretch.

• Plan the work before you work the plan. Having no plan gets you nowhere. Plans will change either by force or circumstance. Be flexible, but have a plan regardless of whether it’s a work project, a trip, a major purchase or an important life decision.

• Don’t pass up any chance to learn. Find out what your boss or leaders in your profession are reading (books, professional publications, websites, etc). Seek out professional development opportunities – even pay for them yourself if necessary. Join professional organizations and get involved.

• Go to your boss with a solution, not a problem. Your boss is problem solving all day. Make her life easier by presenting a solution when you present a problem. Even if it’s not the solution that ultimately solves the problem, it keeps your boss from dreading seeing you at the door.

• Write thank-you and follow-up notes (hand-written, not email). Collect cards from people you meet at events, meetings, or just out and about. A hand-written “nice to meet you” note will set you apart and help the people you meet remember you. Technology is good, but the personal touch still matters.

• Travel any chance you get. Travel to small towns in SC and big cities around the country. Travel internationally if possible. Don’t put off travel. You’ll never tell your grandchildren about that great trip you didn’t take because you were too busy at work.

• Be interested and inquisitive. Ask good questions and ask them often. Young professionals have a great deal to offer a work environment. Speak up when you have something to offer, but remember to balance your enthusiasm with senior level colleagues’ experience.

• Remember everyone carries their own sack of rocks. You never know what type of personal issues the co-worker who missed a deadline is dealing with at home or with his family.

• Create your own personal style. That doesn’t mean wearing flip flops in a formal corporate environment. However, you can set yourself apart from the pack with a twist on the ordinary even if you aren’t a style maven. I prefer skirts and cool necklaces to pants and sweaters. To each his own but just find your own. Add a spot of color, interesting jewelry, fun scarves or punchy bags…just don’t look exactly like everyone else.

• Stay on top of what’s going around the office but avoid the gossip. Be a “boundary spanner” – someone who is respected and trusted by people in all parts of the organization and at all levels.

• Look out for opportunities for “reverse mentoring” situations where you can be a resource to your older colleagues. Seasoned professionals can learn a great deal from their younger peers.

• Looking busy doesn’t equal being productive. The co-worker who always crows about his heavy workload and long hours is likely much less productive than the co-worker who is organized and prioritizes his days.

• Understand that a good editor will make you shine. Don’t look at having your writing edited like you would look at a teacher correcting a paper. Editing is a collaborative process, and there’s always room for improvement in your writing.

• Don’t come to work sick. No one appreciates the stuffy-nosed martyr. That’s why you have sick days.

• Cultivate contacts outside of your work through church, non-profits, alumni groups, friends and professional organizations. You next job will probably come from someone you already know.

• Take risks. It’s OK to mess up occasionally. No one can expect perfection. You can often learn more from mistakes than successes. Yes, really, you can.    

• Strive for work/life balance, even though it’s never really balanced. The balance will probably fluctuate daily, but  creative outlets, exercise and hobbies make you a more valuable (and sane) employee.

About Reba Hull Campbell

When not working to promote the interests of SC cities and towns as deputy executive director of the Municipal Association of SC, Reba plays sidekick to her husband David’s BBQ judging and guitar playing. She is passionate about keeping connected with old friends through photos, Facebook and the phone. Reba can be reached at [email protected]

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