Yesterday was my 7 year anniversary of joining my current employer Waiariki Institute of Technology. My how the time has flown.
When I first started my role was as a data entry input operator working part time. And to be honest it was great. I had a low pressure job that was a great place to start learning the job and the size of the institute.
Moving from a small rural town and an office of 3 to a workplace with over 400 employees was a heck of a jump. So I started slow and learnt little by little as I went and slowly (in relative terms) made my way up the career ladder.
How did I get to where I am now? Starting small and learning each aspect of the institute is how. One step at a time picking up what I could as I went. There were no magic tricks or formulas that got me to where I am now.
As a part of my role in the finance department I learnt how to operate the financial management system which gave me extended coverage and networking opportunities across the institute. Being with, meeting and helping people from various areas of the business was the ideal launch pad and base to work from.
Having an understanding of one particular system of management gave me a skill and knowledge that I could use to find advancement. When my time was up in finance I had the opportunity to shift into one of the specific department areas. I started by using my knowledge of finance to lay a base and then grow into new areas and to develop my skills in new areas.
So that’s what I did. I went wider into three key areas – money, marketing and management.. And those three areas are the base skill set that I bring to any future role.. In my current role it is those same skills that stand me in good stead – money, marketing and management.
My recommendation to you – find one thing. One area of specialist that you are good at or can transfer into other areas of your current workplace or another workplace. Maximise your knowledge and skill in that area . And then diversify. Have a base to leap off from and then grab and grow as many skills and areas of expertise that you can.
