2022/2023 AgCareers.com Career Guide (US)

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As one final reminder, all this advice can be great, but
only if you do something with it. In putting these tips to
action, remember that it can feel overwhelming to be “perfect”
or “great.” Aim for a realistic goal by simply trying to make
progress and get better. Don’t incorporate all this advice into
your life at one time; integrate them piece by piece into your
life in a way that makes sense for you. We are excited for all
that’s to come for you on the never-ending journey of lifelong
learning – enjoy the ride! AG
Leaving a job is never easy
It can be tough navigating early
career choices. From limited options to a
suffocating job, you should never settle
for less than what you deserve. Know
that when you are moving on, you are
not quitting on yourself. Finding a job
that you love and enjoy is essential since
you spend most of your time there. Strive
to find a role that heavily aligns with your
passions and values. There are always
learning opportunities, but challenge
yourself to find the perfect fit for you.
Be open to the unexpected and
embrace the uncertainty
You may have a plan or a major that
you’d like to focus on for the rest of
your life. This tip challenges that plan
and reminds us that sometimes we
don’t know everything, and we need to
take risks and explore what we never
expected. If COVID taught us anything,
it proved that we need to embrace
uncertainty. Not everyone knows what
they’re doing, especially as things are
changing so quickly, and that’s perfectly
okay. Use this time as an opportunity to
take chances, ask questions and change
your plan.
don’t compare yourself to
others
This is one of the hardest things not
to do. Every single person who you
interact with has a completely different
trajectory than you do. There is so much
pressure to hit milestones at certain
times. This can be finding a significant
other, buying a house, having children
or finding the perfect job. If we don’t
accomplish those things by a certain
time, we can begin to compare ourselves
to where others are at in life. You
have your own journey, and they have
theirs. If you continue to seek out new
opportunities and what is best for you,
then you are doing everything right.
Seek feedback consistently
Feedback gets a bad reputation.
When you realize feedback is the only
way for you to grow and get better, it
becomes your friend rather than your
enemy. Seeking feedback is crucial
since many people aren’t willing to
give it voluntarily, out of fear of hurting
someone’s feelings or it not being the
“right time.” Others give feedback at the
most inopportune times when you’re
not prepared for it. If you seek feedback
constantly, you are always “ready” to
receive feedback and ask others for it,
so they know you’re willing to receive
it. People will respect you and your
willingness to continuously look for ways
to better yourself.
Reflect on your experiences
Reflection is an incredibly useful
tool in every aspect of your life. It gives
your brain a moment to pause amidst
your busyness and think through
perspectives, conversations and
experiences. Self-reflection is crucial
to understanding how you learn best
and how you handle various situations.
Allowing yourself time to process what
you have experienced is necessary
for knowing where to go from that
experience. Taking five minutes a day to
reflect is a good starting point and will
help you find the method that works best
for you!