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Hello all, hope you are all well.

I'm after some constructive feedback on how I'm going about trying to advance my career please.

I'm 18 at present and just completed my 1st year of a 2/3 year training course at a telecoms firm. The job is technical office based and lacks any management which is where i have a great interest.

I left school a year after my compulsory education to start my full time employment and unsure if the choice i made is the right one. Looking at the management requirements for internal jobs posted in the company it would be possible to become a level 1 (lowest) manager and work my way up in time.

Now while this is all well and good i want to aim to have a management job by the time i am 25 and doing a number of things to make sure i do this.

I've established both an email and 'in person' relationship with my manager and received a number of positive feedback comments from him. I completed a task at short notice to a high standard and also request for more in addition to my current work.

I've also taken a part time course at a local college (starting next week) to gain a formal qualification in business and management, I'm looking to take this to degree in time.

I've started listing to the podcast which i have found very reward but admittedly there is not much i am able to use at present. I have a great relationship with my current manager but how do i start to build one with his manager, whom i have never meet. Is there anything else i could be doing to 'promote' myself or am i doing too much too soon even?

I greatly respect anyone who had the time to even just read this post, thank you very much.

Mark's picture
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Gareth-

Always, the only advice that matters to someone in your situation is to achieve results that matter for your organization. That means working hard at what your boss asks of you, and paying attention to the organization as a whole.

If you are doing someting you love, then that's all you can do for now. Keep your head down, deliver results, and pay attention. Don't worry about management yet.... worry about your present job.

Just the fact that you ask means you're well on your way.

Glad you're with us!

Mark

Gareth's picture

Hi Mark

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post.

I started a higher education course in Management & Business, part time, at a local university yesterday and already enjoying it.

How important do you all feel carrying on my education to a degree level (maybe higher) is for the advancement of my career?

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Well done on the great podcast, already learnt a mass of things that even a 'team member' can benefit from!

bflynn's picture

[quote="Gareth"]Hi Mark

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post.

I started a higher education course in Management & Business, part time, at a local university yesterday and already enjoying it.

How important do you all feel carrying on my education to a degree level (maybe higher) is for the advancement of my career?

--------------------------------

Well done on the great podcast, already learnt a mass of things that even a 'team member' can benefit from![/quote]

I'm approaching this from a standpoint that you're interested in advancing to higher positions. I know that isn't always the case, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Is a degree required? The short answer is no, its not [i]required[/i], but...

The "but" is that you're going to have a tougher time changing jobs. As long as you're with the same company, your performance is going to override the lack of a degree. However, as soon as you want to change jobs, you're going to have a tougher time. Most people who look at your resume will notice the lack of college and it will result in fewer interviews, fewer job offers and lower compensation offers. You can get around some of this with great networking skills and choosing smaller companies to work for. Maybe it isn't fair, but the company cares about getting someone to work in a position. They consider that however good you are, they can probably find someone else just like you that does have the degree. The missing degree is a reason to eliminate you from consideration. It matters.

So, no, it isn't required, but you need other skills to overcome it. I don't want this to sound negative because it is possible. It is a handicap.

As far as advancement into management, the best way is what Mark said - excel at your job. That rule holds whether you have a degree or not.

Brian

Gareth's picture

Hi Brian thank you for your reply, very helpful.

Your assumption that i am looking to advance into higher positions is correct.

I personally found that when i left 'compulsory' education 2 years ago any support towards developing my skills and therefore career is now down to me.

I completely understand how not having a degree will put me to a disadvantage and therefore my education is important. The course i am taking part time does lead into a degree which is ~5 years down the road, things change with time however so I'll have to reassess where i am in 2 years.

I feel I am in a position at present that within time (talking <2 years) i can start taking on 'acting' manager roles when then manager is on leave or on project work.

For now however its looks like I'll be getting my head down and making sure I'm doing my job (which i do enjoy btw) to the best of my ability; while always having my eyes on the major goals. Oh and not forgetting my education, which i had the induction too last night, can't wait to get started next wednesday.

Thanks again for your time guys!