Career Guide US 2019

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by Kristine Penning, Creative Marketing Specialist
THERE’S NO DOUBT that there are
things you’ll look back on in your life
and wish you would have done
differently. This is certainly true of your
career journey. While there is definitely
value in learning lessons on your own as
you experience the working world for the
first time, it also doesn’t hurt to gain
perspective and advice from those who
have started their journeys before you.
We reached out to two young
professionals with a few years in the
working world under their belts to find
out what they would and wouldn’t
change if they could go back. Kristen
Faucon works as an Issues Manager
with GROWMARK, Inc. in Bloomington,
Illinois, having graduated from Illinois
State University in 2015. In her role, she
communicates with policy makers and
regulators on behalf of GROWMARK.
Lauren Benoit, a native of Ontario and a
graduate of the University of Guelph, is
now employed as a Field Biologist with
BASF in Tamworth, Australia.
If you could go back to your senior year of
college and give yourself a piece of advice
about working in “the real world”, what
would you tell yourself?
KRISTEN: Don’t feel like you must have
your career path all figured out, because
it will change. Opportunities will come
your way at unexpected times and the
experiences you have will change your
perspective.
28 Ag & F ood CAreer guide
LAUREN: Look for opportunities that
might seem a little outside of your
comfort zone. This could be applying for
a new position, learning a new skill, or
moving somewhere unexpected for work.
Although creating a habit of taking on
new challenges, learning new skills, and
being open to new ideas can be difficult,
you’ll see a benefit from it in the long run.
What do you think post-secondary
students often get wrong about entering
the workforce today?
KRISTEN: I think we often expect to be
CEO tomorrow. We have our degree
and we have done all this great work in
college, so we should start closer to the
top of the ladder (with a huge paycheck)
and continue to rise quickly. I think we
could all stand to be a little more humble.
I’m not advocating for complacency, but
rather being honest about the work it’s
going to take to prove yourself and rise
to the top. You’re essentially going from
the top of the totem pole as a senior in
college back to the very bottom in the
workforce. That’s a hard adjustment and
one I’ll admit I have struggled with.
LAUREN: The first job you get after
graduation might be the start of a long
and successful career in a specific part of
the industry, or with a single company;
or it might just be a stepping stone onto
other opportunities as you learn more
about what you are passionate about and
where you would like your career to go. If
your first job isn’t the dream job you were
hoping for, that’s alright. Embrace it for
what it is and keep putting in your best
effort. When the time is right and a new
opportunity presents itself you’ll be able
to move on to something you’re more
passionate about.
What advice would you give to a newly
graduated young professional about
working with older generations?
KRISTEN: Like building any relationship,
you have to find common interests and
learn how that person communicates.
Respect their experience and the
knowledge they have and tap into it.
There’s so much you can learn, and they
want to share that with you. You just
have to ask. But don’t get sucked into
how things have always been done. You
are going to bring a fresh perspective to a
process or issue and that may be the right
approach, but it’s about implementing it
in a respectful way.
LAUREN: Respect is reciprocal, and
learning can be mutual. This doesn’t just
apply to the older generations but all your
new co-workers and peers. Everyone
brings a different skill set to the table.
Working with someone from an older
generation is a chance to gain the tips
and tricks of the trade from someone
who has been there. Likewise, as a young
graduate you’ll bring fresh perspective to
the team. Don’t be scared to voice your
ideas or ask questions.
Faucon Benoit
WHAT I WISHI WOULD’VE KNOWN
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