My Advice

I am a mentor in the University of Calgary's Emerging Leadership Program. Among other things, the program pairs university students with faculty and staff members to provide them with guidance as they navigate through their first year on campus.

Today I had my final meeting with my "prodige". (I know - It sounds pompous, right?  What else should I call him? Mentee?) Now, I know what you're thinking. How can someone who hasn't yet, herself, gone through the entire process and actually obtained a degree offer advice to a university student? Is she even qualified to be giving advice to a student, technically a first-year student herself?

This got me thinking about the insights that I can offer, outside of university, in the real world. I have been employed full-time (in various industries,) for almost eight years now. From all the jobs I have had - whether full-time or part-time, manager or assistant, retail or alumni relations - I would give two pieces of advice.

First, don't ever be afraid to ask questions. There's no use wasting time on something you're never going to be able to understand on your own. Asking questions is how we learn and the quickest way to get a task done efficiently.

Second, don't ever be afraid to admit you made a mistake. We all screw up. What's that cliche? "To err is human, to forgive divine?"

I maaaay have recently made a mistake at work and fessed up immediately, resulting in a speedy resolution to the problem. I also may have accidentally given away a Palm Pilot when I worked at a certain office supply superstore and gained much respect for my overwhelming honesty.

Respect and honesty...