In 2018, I was making $42,000 a year and struggling financially. I had spent years being underemployed and unable to define why. My background in liberal arts and childcare left me feeling like I didn’t have much to offer in an incredibly competitive market that was increasingly focused on tech and data.
The job I had at the time, at a major east coast private university, was primarily about planning on campus residencies for online graduate students. The idea was to have students come to campus 3 times throughout their degree program — to connect with each other, their instructors, and the school. We wanted to make them feel like they were really a part of the university, even though they might live across the country and never set foot in a “real” classroom.
My job included everything involved in the residency weekends, from tip to tail. I needed to communicate with students, faculty, and staff; ensure that we had quality catering and decor, arrange for facilities to set up and clean the space, manage the curriculum of the weekend academic programs, pay the invoices, greet the students and run the show for the weekend, dealing with any issues that popped up, which could be anything from bad WiFi to students having a severe allergic reaction that required a 911 call (yep, that happened.)
I realized, after a couple years of this, that I was REALLY good at it. I tranformed the residency program from a very ad hoc and slightly chaotic experience into a well-oiled machine that anyone could step into and run, because I had created the mechanisms to do so. I also realized that I was able to handle emergencies with aplomb, calmly smooth anyone’s ruffled feathers, relate to and chat with anyone from or facilities manager to the vice dean, and understand intrinsically what needed to be done to make things appear organized and effortless.
It had never occurred to me that I could advance my career through these intangible kinds of skills. I believed that I needed certifications, training, and analytical skills which didn’t come naturally to me at all. Being stuck in that way of thinking had made me feel inadequate for years, and given me some hardcore imposter syndrome.
Breaking free of that, and understanding that I did have skills that are sometimes pretty hard to come by — professionalism, warmth, relatability, attention to detail, and the ability to handle adversity with a calm and reassuring attitude — gave me a belief in myself that I had never experienced before.
I finally got the courage to talk to my immediate supervisor about a promotion. One was not immediately available, but he was firmly on my team, and we spent the better part of a year “selling” me to the upper administration and also rewriting my original job description into a role with much more responsibility and influence. We eventually presented this reimagined role to our dean, and he agreed to create a new position for me.
Once I transitioned into that role, I was faced with a whole slew of responsibilities I had never actually had to tackle before. Initially I was intimidated, but by then, I had enough confidence in myself to take a breath and realize that I had earned this, worked for this, and deserved this. Once I overcame my initial self-doubt, I hit the ground running, and I never looked back. I allowed myself to be ambitious in a way I never had been before, and I made sure that my supervisors knew that I had goals for myself and I was going to ensure I met them.
I eventually left that university and moved into a director role at another local college, which offered me more compensation than I had ever had before. My new role has challenged me to stretch myself and my skills in ways I’ve never had to before. I am expected to work very independently at this level, know what needs to be done and do it, and manage those who report to me without much assistance. I have had a few moments of nerves, but I have the confidence in myself now to not only believe I can do anything that I’m asked to do, but also — and this is SUPER important — to be confident enough to ask for help, to ask for support, and to ask for explanations.
I’m confident enough to not act like I know everything already, and to feel comfortable learning from my colleagues and supervisors.
The last five years have been professionally and personally challenging. I have forced myself to grow, in sometimes uncomfortable ways, in order to achieve my goals. I’ve had moments of doubt, stress, and burnout. But at the moment, I am making a higher salary than I ever have, I feel confident in my ability to grow professionally, I appreciate that my intangible skills are valuable and unique, and that I am competent enough to learn and take on new responsibilities.
Especially for those of us who have a traditional liberal arts background, today’s job market can feel really intimidating, but I am here to tell you that I KNOW you have something to offer and I KNOW you can grow both your professional skills and your income, with focus, dedication, and a healthy dose of self confidence.
Doubling your income within a relatively short period requires a combination of dedication, professionalism, skill development, and leveraging intangible qualities. By embracing continuous learning and honing intangible skills such as adaptability, emotional intelligence, and effective communication, you can take huge strides forward in a short time.
- Cultivate Professionalism: Professionalism encompasses more than just fulfilling job responsibilities. It encompasses integrity, reliability, and a positive attitude. By consistently demonstrating professionalism in your interactions, taking accountability for your actions, and maintaining a strong work ethic, you build trust and credibility with colleagues, superiors, and clients. Being professional also requires you to take critical feedback calmly and be able to process that feedback into growth.
- Learning from Others: Adopting a mindset of lifelong learning and being open to feedback is essential for personal and professional growth. Embrace the wisdom and expertise of those around you, regardless of their position. Learn from their experiences, insights, and perspectives. By actively listening, seeking feedback, and applying it to your work, you refine your skills, enhance your performance, and become a more valuable member of any team.
- Believe in your own Skills: You really are unique. You really do have something to offer that no one else does. The key is figuring out what that unique quality is and leveraging it. You need to make sure you’re in an industry where your unique skills will be applicable. If your skill is being able to organize events well, then data entry is probably not a great career choice for you. Make sure your skills match your job responsibilities, and if they don’t, make it a goal to work towards that alignment, even if it means switching careers.
- Creating Processes and Procedures to Improve Workflows: Becoming a specialist in creating streamlined processes and efficient workflows can significantly impact your career trajectory. Take the initiative to identify areas for improvement within your organization and propose innovative solutions. By demonstrating your ability to optimize processes, increase productivity, and make your work both easier and more efficient, you position yourself as an indispensable asset.
- Harnessing Intangible Skills: While technical skills are vital, intangible skills can be equally powerful in career advancement. Cultivate your ability to relate to others, handle adversity calmly, and work effectively with diverse personalities. Developing emotional intelligence, effective communication, and conflict resolution skills can help you navigate challenging situations and build strong professional relationships. These intangible qualities enhance your effectiveness, boost your reputation, and contribute to your income growth.
You can do this, I believe in you! I will be writing more articles about more specific ways to move your career forward without losing your mind soon, so be on the lookout for those.
