Last month, I had the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Oklahoma City Young Professionals (OKCYP), an organization that I helped establish almost a decade ago. As I said in my acceptance speech, it is good to be seen, recognized and admired for your work--no matter how big or small you believe that work to be.

2021 Oklahoma City Young Professionals Honors Awards

I was fortunate to experience a pretty seamless transition into the corporate space, considering that it isn't always that way for the young and inexperienced. However, I really didn't have mentors to help me navigate that space, unlike many of my colleagues. Some of my revelations came much later than they should've. Anyway, I was moved to craft a list of things that I feel young (in age or experience) professionals should know. This list is generated from my own experiences and that of my friends and various colleagues. It’s honest, candid, “real.”

Make sure your work is valued by your employer.

Simply put: Get clarity on what you are supposed to do. Refer to that job description. Nothing is worse than becoming engrossed in tasks that your employer doesn't value! Now, if you believe that what you're doing is relevant and integral to the success of the company you work for, then bring it to their attention and make a case for it. Know that an effective case should include projections and figures that positively effect the bottom line and/or protect the company's reputation. (See Number 3.)

2. Don't fall victim to the "myth" of meritocracy.

Hard work does pay off…but you must be vigilant in making sure it pays off. I know plenty of hardworking people who've been stellar employees, but couldn't achieve personal benchmarks they set—climbing the latter, breaking ceilings, or moving beyond mid-level roles at said workplace. Recognize when you're not being given opportunities for mobility, or when certain peers are leaving you in the dust. (See Number 4.)

3. Know your worth! Qualify and quantify your work.

Knowing your worth, professionally, means that you are able to PROVE your worth. Numbers matter! And, sadly, for many companies, that's ALL that matters. Be your fiercest advocate and demonstrate how your efforts profited the company. If your employer doesn't have tracking systems, develop your own! Being able to prove your value to a company will come in handy when it's time for promotions or company "restructures."

4. Climbing to the top may involve moving around.

“You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away…” --Kenny Rogers' The Gambler

Haters will say you're acting entitled, but who cares! If one of your career goals is to move up, but you find that your workplace doesn’t have the resources or the interest in making that happen for you, AND you're definitely putting in the work, you should consider transitioning! The typical job tenure is between 2 to 4.5 years. Be strategic. Use that time to gain experience and sharpen your tools. But at year 3 (or 4), it's time to evaluate. Is there opportunity for YOU to move up? If it’s clear that it’s not, move around.

5. Be a team player.

Do your part. Contribute. Produce good work. Be supportive. Be positive. Collaborate. Point is: You have to be able to work alongside people. Teams offer diversity and the exchange of multiple ideas and perspectives. Your ability to effectively navigate within those differences shows that you respect the workplace, see others' humanity and understand the greater goal. To your employer, this indicates your ability to manage people, negotiate, close deals, run boards, etc. It’s a good look.

To be continued…

The First 5 Things I Need Young Professionals to Know