EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
The best career advice I ’ ve come across is to explore many different things and don ’ t be scared to make mistakes along the way . It ’ s through making mistakes that we truly learn and grow . In fact , if someone hasn ’ t made any mistakes , it might mean they ’ re not trying hard enough or not being honest . So , embrace the learning journey and remember that mistakes are a natural part of it , especially in today ’ s evolving work landscape where the opportunities are endless .
The rise of hybrid and remote work has opened up a world of diverse learning experiences that were previously beyond imaginable . With no need to commute , finding the right job that offers the essential skills and experiences to drive us towards our dream roles has never been more accessible .
Speaking from my experience , I can confidently say that seizing the opportunities that came my way has led me to discover a career path that brings me joy . During the university holidays in my first year , I started to work as a software developer for a tiny software company that happened to be close to my parents ’ house in the North East of England – I found them in the Yellow Pages !
IT ’ S ABOUT SEEING EVERY OPPORTUNITY AS A CHANCE TO LEARN , STEPPING OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES AND EMBRACING THE UNKNOWN , EVEN IF IT SEEMS A BIT SCARY AT FIRST .
Then in my third year , I needed to travel to Italy to install marine software that I had written on Ro-Ro ferries sailing between Italy and Greece – in the days before the Internet and when software could only be installed from floppy disks . The boats were about as unglamorous as software installations can get , but it gave me a very real sense of the sort of opportunities that could come from working in the IT / tech industry .
This has also taught me a valuable lesson for years later when I was aiming for a C-level position . Don ’ t be scared of taking on responsibility ; in fact , go after it . Treat everyone fairly and with respect and accept that there will always be things you don ’ t know . That ’ s where continuous learning and having a growth mindset come into play .
It ’ s about seeing every opportunity as a chance to learn , stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the unknown , even if it seems a bit scary at first . This is how we can ensure that our careers align with our true passions . Work then becomes an exciting journey where we can learn , develop and enjoy what we do . In the words of Mark Twain , if you ‘ find a job you love , you ’ ll never work a day in your life ’.
KARL BREEZE , CEO , MATRIX BOOKING
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