Experience is often valued because of the lessons prior jobs have theoretically provided us with. While hearing about those lessons isn’t a replacement for actually experiencing it, we thought it would be very helpful to create a space where sharp and generous members of the community can come together to share stories and lessons learned at prior jobs for the benefit of others.

Shari Shobe

An important lesson I learned at a prior job would be an ism I learned at Quicken Loans. It went like this, “Every client. Every time. No exceptions. No excuses.” While that errs on the side of perfection, it speaks to the desire I have to create the absolute best experience possible I can. Creating experiences are important to me and my brand. Going the extra mile doesn’t feel extra if you’ve built to go the distance.Read more>> 

Shannon + Gerry Arner

The most important lesson we learned came from experiencing burnout in our previous business. We owned a business in the pet industry and were working around the clock, with no real work-life balance. It was draining both physically and mentally. We didn’t realize at the time, but we were stuck in a cycle of overwork that wasn’t sustainable. It wasn’t until we were completely burnt out that we realized the need for change. Read more>>

Laina Jia

In the early stages of joining a project, I used to focus solely on fulfilling my immediate job responsibilities. I would obsess over whether my work met my own standards, effectively showcased my strengths, and whether I had addressed every detail. I believed that perfecting these aspects would naturally lead to satisfying outcomes. Read more>>

Vladimir Louissaint

When I was a rising leader in the Health and Wellness field, I took a job at a Boys and Girl’s Club in Boston as a Health and Wellness Coordinator. This was a step-up both in yearly pay and responsibilities, and I thought I was up for the challenge. Relying mainly on my Exercise Physiology and coaching knowledge, I focused more on having an impact with the young people than I did the specifics of my job duties, which were created and funded by a prominent company. I did what I knew how to do, instead of asking for the help I needed to do what I was hired to do, and it cost me my job. This turned out to be one of the best professional development experiences I would ever have, teaching me that my willingness to learn should always outpace my desire to produce. Read more>>

Gavin Graves

I started my first job at Antoine’s in New Orleans at fifteen. I was an apprentice waiter working alongside some of the most seasoned servers in the city. Each one of them could describe any dish front to back with their eyes closed while simultaneously weaving in perfectly timed quips and trivia. It didn’t matter the size of the crowd, the fame of the customer, or the intensity of the evening, they always knew their lines, and they always said them right. I… did not have this gift. Amongst a room full of Bogarts, I was the dud. At first I could get by with my youth. In their eyes, I did not have to be charismatic, I was a child who didn’t know any better. I soon realized, however, the opportunity at my feet. I was in a playbox of social situations, each with its challenges and lessons to be learned. I found out that communication is not a gift, it is a skill, and all it took was the confidence to throw myself in. Even to this day, I overthink my interactions, but I maintain that my best learned advice to anyone struggling with socializing is, throw yourself in. Because in reality, we are all just people looking for someone to bond with, share experiences with, and, in my case, collaborate with. Read more>>

Willow James

To avoid settling. That’s probably the most valuable lesson I’ve learned in my pervious (non-creative) jobs. I was miserable in many of the jobs I held before shifting fully into the arts; I knew exactly what I wanted to be doing but didn’t know how to “break in.” One of the last jobs I held was a barista at a cafe, which I loved. One day, a customer came in, ordered his drink and we started chatting across the bar. He asked me what I did outside of being a barista, and I mentioned that I was a theatre artist but didn’t really have any gigs lined up. He then gave me his card (which listed the company he founded/ran) and said, “You’ll find something soon! Maybe one day soon our paths will cross. If you wanna chat more about what’s out there, let me know.” I put in my notice a week later. Read more>>

Elan Markos

This isn’t a specific job story, but rather a broader lesson I’ve learned from embracing the mindset of “trying everything.” I believe that during college and the years that follow, it’s crucial to explore as many jobs, industries, and hobbies as possible. From 18 to your late 20s, you’re in a pivotal phase of self-discovery—identifying where your natural talents lie and uncovering your unique strengths. Read more>>