Finding Success, Outside Of The Box

It can feel intimidating to take the path less traveled. When it comes to work and a career, I have often felt at a disadvantage in comparison to my peers. I didn't go to college, I didn't go to trade school, I've never had 5-year plan or a strong sense of "what I want to do."

Degrees, accolades, income, and titles are typical metrics for success and security in our world, but they never felt as important to me as following my intuition.

15 years ago I sold everything I owned and bought a one-way ticket to work on a remote vegetable farm in Hawaii. Since then, I've been a model scout at a top global agency. I've cooked for a prestigious healthy food restaurant. I've led meditation & yoga classes. I've managed operations and events at award-winning restaurants and businesses. I've opened a vintage clothing shop. I've started a small digital marketing company. And I've worked on productions for some of the biggest brands in the world.

I wasn't able to fully appreciate it at first, but looking back, it's clear that my experiences have given me unlikely advantages. In order to gracefully navigate new workplace environments, I've had to develop unique and dynamic skills. I've gained insights into how to build relationships quickly, how to pivot on a dime and adapt to change, how to confidently accept being an adult beginner, and how to be resourceful in the face of my own limitations. Without a doubt, these attributes have helped me make massive leaps into roles and industries that I don't have the "qualifications" for.

I wouldn't be where I am without the people who have believed and trusted in me along the way. They saw beyond a piece of paper with a list of accomplishments, to a person who's experiences had given them what was necessary to succeed.

So, to every business that still lists the standard "education and workplace experience" for a role…
Consider how you might be contributing to homogenous, convergent workplace culture by requiring the same education and work experience as everyone else. These qualifiers are becoming increasingly outdated and irrelevant, and it’s crucial to acknowledge how these barriers for entry ultimately discredit and overlook agile and innovative people. In our ever-evolving, globally connected world, you must be willing to think outside the box if you ask your employees to do the same.

And to my fellow non-linear-path-travelers —
Stay hungry. Be humble. Say thank you. Work hard. Pay attention. Be curious. Take initiative. Believe in yourself and trust the journey.