View from the Bottom: Now I'm taking career advice from a Hallmark greeting card

16 February 2011

2 minute read

View from the Bottom: Now I'm taking career advice from a Hallmark greeting card

"It doesn't matter where you are, just the direction you are going."

This quote was inside a Hallmark card, which a relative gave me while I was in a professional rut late last year. Although it was a nice touch, I soon forgot about the message and finished 2010 as frustrated as ever about my career.

However, after a much needed Christmas in Brisbane just before the floods (and returning home to watch the tragedy on TV), I felt less inclined to be so negative about my own plight. I'm not writing this article to give myself kudos for having empathy for others, but at some stage over the last few weeks I have realised that my future career success depends largely on changing my attitude.

Unrealistic comparisons with friends and family, a high level of ambition, some significant setbacks, and adjusting to a new city meant I felt lonely, frustrated and isolated for most of last year.

The CFA and MBA will bring me success - won't they?

Being so unstimulated in my working life, I have taken solace in studying. Although I have always felt loathe to be defined by my education, I do enjoy learning because I am laying a foundation for my future.

I have written articles on this website regarding study choices to complement career development, in particular the MBA and CFA programmes. I have decided to do both.

A friend has been doing his MBA over the past two years, while I have sat the CFA level 1 exam. I have noticed that the MBA has had an extremely positive effect on him professionally. For example, he can now problem solve using a much stronger strategic framework. It has come at a high financial cost, but he is adamant that it has been worth it, and I admire his conviction.

My professional goals this year are just as high as in 2010, however, I am determined to separate these ambitions from my ability to have happiness in my life.

So I will continue with my study for stimulation and look to move roles within my bank later in the year. But in the shorter term, I will comfort myself with that Hallmark quote... I'm going in the right direction.

AUTHORAnonymous

Insider Comment

Ju
Junior banker
20 February 2011
Those numbers are very much achievable, and even on the low side for, say, investment banking (starting grads salary would be ~$100k for IB + a bonus of ~100% of the base salary, give or take)
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Ph
Philip
19 February 2011
Wow, that's was really deep man. You seem to really have your finger on the pulse whilst also having your head up your arse - a talent that will no doubt be very quickly noted in your bank.
Maybe next week you could tell us how the new Bra Boy styled characters on Home and Away have impacted your trips to the beach.
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ea
east coaster
19 February 2011
Hey,
Just wanted to wish you good luck on your job search. I went through a tough spot in my career last year and largely credit a positive attitude to helping me get out and be successful. Clearly you already know how difficult it is to soldier on, but you seem to be doing all the right things in expanding your skill set and not short changing on your goals, so all the best!
I must admit I am in total confusion over the job market in Australia. I am a kiwi working in the US but with several friends who work in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Every time I am on the phone with them, they harp on about what a fantastic growing job market it is in Oz and the salary ranges they quote are very attractive (e.g.: they tell me grads have plenty of opportunities to earn 60K+ on their first job and earning 100K+ with a few years experience just isn't as hard as it used to be). The US is still grappling with a tough market (even in an insulated market like economic/financial consulting) but I imagine so is the rest of the world so I am struggling to believe these numbers. Anybody care to comment one way or the other?
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