experience and professional fulfillment

JANINE SEEBECK

HOW TO HAVE A

CAREER THAT IS RICH IN EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL FULFILLMENT

By Janine Seebeck, CEO at BeyondTrust

Seeking out opportunities to extend yourself will help you amass a wealth of knowledge and the confidence to tackle whatever challenges are tossed your way, writes BeyondTrust CEO Janine Seebeck.

Did I embark on my professional career two decades ago with the express object of pulling in the biggest possible pay cheque in the shortest possible time, in other words getting rich quick?

In a word: no. What drove me back then, and still does today, was a deep desire to learn and grow, both professionally and personally. I am an intensely curious person and also a hard working one (my husband would say a workaholic!). Those traits and a healthy dollop of good luck—being in the right place at the right time is undoubtedly a gift—have helped generate opportunities that have enriched my CV and allowed me to rise up the ranks into the executive team of a security company that is a recognised leader in identity management.

TAKING RISKS

A willingness to take risks has also helped me. In professional terms that means being ok with the unknown. It means being prepared to put your hand up and say that you do not know certain things and that you need help. And, sometimes, it can mean being willing to throw caution to the winds and have a crack at something that is daunting, exciting and was not in your life plan.

For me, one of those ‘do or die’ moments came in 2008 when my then employer, a publicly listed US company, tossed out the suggestion that I swap my comfortable vice-presidential role for an equivalent gig in an emerging territory, Australia. I had a husband, dogs, a life. Six weeks later the four of us were living that life in Sydney, a city that will always hold a special place in my heart, courtesy of the fact it is where my first son was born.

BACKING YOURSELF

Taking the leap, rather than playing it safe, can be particularly challenging for women, more so than men. We are inclined to feel responsible—for things, people, everything— and to put others first. Making career choices that focus first and foremost on ourselves may not come naturally if there are other competing priorities.

And there is also the dread that things might not work out. Then what? My approach has always been to think, ‘what’s the worst that can happen?’.

The answer is usually going to be: I will be fired. Is that a big enough issue to hold me back? Probably not. If things do not pan out as planned, there are other businesses, other jobs. Chances are, I will be able to get one of those jobs. Squaring that up in my head has helped me feel ok—better than ok, excited and invigorated!—about taking chances. As the saying goes, if you do not do something, you will never know what you missed.

FINDING SUPPORT

While personal motivation and hard work are important, career progress is so much easier with the right support. That is why it is critical to work for organisations prepared to invest in you and your growth by offering well-defined career paths and opportunities for advancement. Typically, they will have strong, healthy cultures and values compatible with your own, and you will be actively encouraged to develop the skills and capabilities that will help you take the next step.

Work hard, show the leadership team what you are made of, and do not be afraid to advocate for yourself and the opportunities you want to see come your way.

Also, it is impossible to overstate the importance of mentoring, particularly in the (still male-dominated) ICT and security spheres. Participate in professional networks that bring you into contact with other women at various stages of their careers, as Sheryl Sandberg famously advocated in her book, Lean In.

It can be daunting approaching senior leaders if you have only a couple of years of experience under your belt, but the reality is, those leaders are simply people. And, if you are genuine, motivated and hardworking, chances are they will be people who are happy to share information and insights that can help you get where you want to go.

WEALTHY IN WAYS THAT COUNT

For me, career development boils down to this: invest continually in yourself and your career and the riches—tangible and otherwise—will surely follow. Perhaps not quickly, but if you are up for a challenge, it is a journey you are guaranteed to enjoy.

www.linkedin.com/in/janine-s-b6a7165