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What Did I Get Myself Into?
by Linda Booker, SVP, Chief Financial Officer, IDI, Atlanta Office
January 14, 2009
A
number of years ago, when I decided to leave public accounting, I took a job, and
immediately wondered what I had gotten myself into. The job wasn't what I expected, and I
thought the tasks I were assigned were beneath my skills. But I was determined to stick it
out, even though I thought I had made a big career mistake.
I decided that I was going to do the
best job I could, and make the most out of a bad situation. Pretty quickly the management
noticed that I could handle additional responsibilities, and my job grew by leaps and bounds.
I ultimately led a department, and worked for a man that I consider to be my first real
mentor. He taught me about leadership, and how to handle lots of different types and levels
of employees. The experiences that I had in that job ultimately are what made me suited for
the job I'm in today.
One of the biggest things I've learned in my career is to let your actions and work speak
for itself. That's better than any self promotion. In my career I have taken on many
things that weren't really my job. But from most of those things I've developed skills that
have helped me grow. I have also learned the value of building relationships - professional
and personal - and how important that is to developing a well-rounded individual. And
finally, I have learned that there's always enough time to thank people for what they have done for
you.
