Linkedin Education Connect | Asia Johnson
I had the opportunity to attend the Linkedin Education Connect and it was an awesome experience to say the least. With a focus on reaching prospective students and alumni, I was able to not only gain insights on how the world of academia is able to do so, but also insights into what employers are looking for from these student who would one day graduate.
My favorite speaker from the day was Suzy Welch. She is a noted journalist, tv commentator, author and speaker. I admired her independence and her outstanding resume. However, what was most valuable to me was the knowledge she shared. She went over five lessons to unlearn once you graduate college.
- Assignments in school are direct. There is a specific ask and students deliver on that ask. Whereas in work, the ask is vague and ambiguous. It involves deep thinking and interpretation to even understand what has to be done and how to do it.
- School has reset buttons because there are new semesters and new professors. There is always an opportunity to start fresh and take on a new work ethic or perspective. At work, it maintains. The only opportunity to “reset” is to change jobs essentially.
- In school effort matters. Often times professors will increase or change a grade if a student has shown consistent effort. Within a job, work performance and results matter. From dealing with a client, or impressing the higher ups , they do not care if you have worked hard but that you have completed the ask and done so well.
- When it comes to writing in school, professors encourage long in-depth forms of writing, which can often come off as obscured. A boss at work once the exact opposite - clear, short, straight-forward. Time at work is limited and everyone simply wants to get the answers as quick as they can.
- School teaches you that you have one boss at a time. If you impress the professor then you will get a good grade. While work is an ecosystem where you must impress everyone around you, not just your boss.
After absorbing what to expect for life after college, Welch quickly went over content and how she determines what she shares as a journalist. She implored us all that you need to “get content out there.” What she meant was that it needs to be fresh, original, and impactful. If it doesn’t fall under any of those buckets then its not truly share worthy. Another means of determining what’s good content and what’s bad was her “duh check.” Before she posts anything she asks herself, would anyone say “duh” to this, if so get rid of it”
Finally, she left us with the sentiment of seeking fulfillment and meaning within our job roles. She attributes her to success to only having a plan A. The minute you create a plan b you’re already giving up on your goals. If you only have a plan A then you’ve got to put every bit of energy into that. You have got to make plan a work. This is how you will find fulfillment, by making sure you follow your dream, your plan A.
This was an impactful day of learning and I am so happy to have attended.
