Setting a Strong Foundation as an Emerging Professional

Editor’s note: This article is the first in a series of three written by emerging professionals for emerging professionals.

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When you consider the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, or even the Roman Colosseum, what do these marvels have in common? They have all endured for thousands of years because they were built on strong foundations.

Starting as an emerging professional in the corporate world is no different. The approach and mindset you establish early in your career can shape your trajectory and lay the groundwork for long-term success.

One of the most effective ways to build this foundation is to cultivate a learning mindset — being open, curious, and adaptable in the face of change or adversity. Just as a strong structure can withstand pressure, a learning mindset equips you with the resilience and perseverance to navigate unfamiliar situations and thrive as your career unfolds.

Be Open to New Ideas

Once you have established this mindset, make a commitment to being curious in your role. Avoid approaching tasks as mere items on a checklist or doing the minimum required. Instead, embrace curiosity and approach each project or deliverable with the goal of trying to learn more. What is the big picture? What could take this project further?

Embracing curiosity in this manner will fuel your development as a young professional and improve your ability to ask thoughtful questions, explore perspectives beyond your own, and ultimately uncover opportunities that others might overlook.

Another beneficial strategy is to become a self-starter. Rather than waiting for instructions from your manager, work on things proactively; this will showcase to your organization that you are focused on contributing value and pursuing growth.

An example is volunteering for stretch projects that will challenge your skills, such as leading a cross-department collaboration initiative or identifying outdated processes within your team and proposing improvements to boost efficiency. This proactive approach accelerates growth and visibility — and it all starts with the positive mindset you establish at the forefront of your professional journey.

Starting Your Career

Entering the fast-paced and dynamic profession of supply management can be simultaneously daunting, exciting, transformative, eye-opening, challenging and energizing. Preparedness and forethought can make this transition smoother, allowing you to show up with confidence and establish a springboard for success.

Institute for Supply Management^®’s (ISM^®) Emerging Professionals Committee, guided by the wisdom of renowned philosophers, businesspeople, writers and politicians, offers these seven tips to start your career on a positive note.

1) “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin. Before your first day, do foundational pre-work: clearly understand your role and responsibilities, learn the basics of your new organization and its supply chain design, familiarize yourself with industry lingo, and create a list of questions to demonstrate your learning mindset.

2) “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” — Austin Kleon. Wear professional, clean and role-appropriate attire. If you are unsure of the culture at your organization, consider researching online or asking a representative from the company, such as a peer or your human resources contact. For a first day, it is better to err on the side of professionalism.

3) “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” — Will Rogers, Oscar Wilde. A first impression can help establish quick credibility and set the tone for your new role. When meeting new contacts, show confidence, respect, and good manners. Practice a brief introduction of yourself and keep several questions in mind to learn from others and begin absorbing knowledge.

4) “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” — Epictetus. This renowned philosopher lived in the first century, but his wisdom can help during your early career experience in the 21st century. While not literal, the spirit and message of this advice emphasizes that we should listen to others to gain perspective, wisdom, ideas and learnings. Starting out in the professional world is a great time to listen and learn.

5) “Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity.” — Nat Turner. Whether written, verbal, or otherwise, it’s important to practice clear, articulate communication and to do so proactively and frequently. Communication is a muscle you will continue to build and grow as your journey progresses and is essential in the supply chain realm.

6) “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” — Mark Twain. One of the biggest differentiators of high-performing talent in the supply chain profession is the ability to be a self-starter. If a challenge, question or business problem surfaces, lean into your network, resources, toolkit, past experiences, educational background and more to deliver or work toward a solution.

7) “Diligent follow-up and follow-through will set you apart from the crowd.” — John C. Maxwell. Strong partnerships, trust, credibility and sustained impact come from following up — sending meeting summaries, writing thank-you notes, practicing kind accountability, and following through by delivering on commitments, sticking to your word, meeting deadlines and being dependable.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/XiXinXing)