You Can't Schedule Opportunity

Today I heard a local DC radio announcer share an old saying in his family, "you can't schedule opportunity." I really liked that saying and how it speaks volumes to today's young professionals.


Many of you are in rich environments that may be loaded with opportunity such as vibrant college and university communities, premier corporate and government professional environments and others, but unfortunately many of you may not be taking full advantage of the opportunities within these environments. Take my advice as a 20 year professional in human resources and career management, Don't sleep walk your way through your early and most formative stages of your career! Opportunities that you may be taking for granted today may never come your way again, it's a tough fact to swallow early in your career but is often the cold hard reality.


In a time when many young people are doing "a whole lot of nothing" playing on blackberrys, text messaging friends, downloading volumes of music, spending hours on MySpace, etc, I suggest that you position yourself to gain a professional edge by more aggressively managing your time and resources. Yes, you need to have your fun, but don't let your fun have you! Don't be fooled either, everyone talking on their cell phones and sending out text messages are not waisting their time, some are seriously "on their game" in networking and busy positioning themselves for opportunities that will come their way.


Positioning Yourself for Opportunity 101:

• Stay current and well read in your field. Make sure your reading list includes premier industry literature such as best selling books, Blogs, newspapers, professional magazines, journals, specialty news programs, online columns, specialty websites and more.

• Don't let previous failures, dictate your future successes. So what it didn't work out before, consider it as lessons learned...today is a new day, move forward boldly into today's opportunity.

• Have your "elevator" presentation polished and ready to present at all times. This would be a 2 minute presentation of your interest, goals, and added value to professional groups of interest.

• Always check your attitude in public. Although its not always true, Black people get a bad rap for having a bad attitude. Don't play into the stereotype.



• Watch your mouth, I know Russel Simmons says it's "poetic expression," but in reality most people still consider foul language as vulgar and unacceptable in public. Foul language is certainly not a way to attract positive and productive professional people.



• Don't criticize others, particularly to people you don't really know that well. And just because they are Black, don't think they won't tell your business to someone. Use some discipline, keep your conversations particularly with new contacts and strangers above board, you never know who may have who's ear.



• Make sure you always have your business card available, young professionals and students should always have at least one in your wallet/purse. Make sure you have current contact information.



• Have a current resume and bio prepared at all times (even loaded on your PDA or Blackberry) to send electronically to new contacts. This could also be business plans for you young entrepreneurs.




• Always have your dress "in check" when going to open and public venues, particularly while at savvy young professional spots in your community or in the city like popular shopping areas, popular restaurants, outdoor concerts, the new "town center," even when going to the movies. This may not sound PC to some of you, and I know some of you are busy "keeping it real," but remember while trying to move forward in your career, you are always "on" in public places.



• Avoid drinking too much (if at all) at community events and activities. "Mr. or Ms. Opportunity" may be watching and seeing a side of you that is "less than desirable."



• Remember the greatest leaders are the greatest servants, and random acts of kindness and decency could get the eyes of others with like values and could set the stage for a great conversation with a potential professional contact. It's also the right thing to do.
  

Let us know your thoughts.

kwells@howard.edu

Kim R. Wells