Dear Young Professional, It’s 2025
Yellow flowers with ‘2025’ in the center. Image from Unsplash.
Dear Young Professional,
It’s 2025, here is some advice I have for you during the year.
1. Publish your research anywhere: Sometimes people focus a lot on where you published your research, which, depending on how you measure success does not really matter. Having your research published, whether in a peer-reviewed journal or an online magazine, is a big achievement! It is a long process for the publication to happen, and you persevered through it all. Congratulate yourself that you published an article, and do not worry about the impact factor of the journal or other factors.
2. Don't worry if you are not working in the field that you studied: As a public health professional, I always had a hard time explaining to people that I worked in the education, children, and employment and social services sectors. People would always question why I was in those fields and not in the health sector within organizations. Remember that health is interdisciplinary; working in a different sector, you are in a unique position, as you can help create the multi-sectoral and whole-of-government approaches that are always talked about. You will be equipped to understand the language in non-health sectors.
3. Skills are always transferable: Related to the previous point, if you are not working in a field that you wish to be in, remember that skills are always transferable. So while you draft your resume and cover letter, focus on the skills you gain and how those can apply to another sector.
4. You don’t have to take everyone’s advice: This is very important as you navigate your career! Take a moment to reflect and think about whether the decision makes the best sense for you and your path. You do not have to use the feedback if the answer is no.
5. Celebrate your wins: Celebrate all your wins, whether they are big or small! While you have challenges throughout the year, remember what you achieved as well.
Wishing you a successful year ahead!
