707. Expert Interview: Decades of Career Advice from 100 Young Professionals

Paul Murphy

“It’s crazy. If you are buying a house or buying a car, you would research it for weeks, months. Your career is such a big part of your life, such a big decision. We spend so much time at work, and a lot of people don’t do any research whatsoever into possible career paths.”

Paul Murphy is a Qualified Accountant and Project and Program Manager with over 10 years of experience in financial roles for multinational companies. He is author of the number one Amazon bestseller, “A Thousand Years of Career Advice,” which is interviews of 100 graduates–10 years after university–about their career paths and advice for a younger generation.

Decades of Career Advice from 100 Young Professionals

Paul Murphy began interviewing people 10 years into their careers to see if their experiences mirrored his own. Like him, most got into the career they chose as students, and too many of them found the jobs in their field were not what they had expected. Some are miserable but remain on their linear track. Others have found the courage to face their fears and use their innate talents to get into careers that provide them more satisfaction and success.

Why Is This Important?

No matter the fields of study Paul Murphy’s 100 graduates chose or which careers they pursued, “No one has had a laser focus. It was very much the result of a series of decisions.” By listening to the advice of those who have recently lived through the early years of career decisions, a younger generation has the opportunity to change or add new strategies to get them where they want to go in their careers faster and with less trial and error.

What Are the Key Lessons Learned Here?

Although there are many recurring themes from these interviews, including don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, the most pragmatic advice given by all 100 interviewees is to talk to people who are already in fields in which you are interested. Talk to people just a few years ahead of you and see what the reality of their jobs and life are. Talk with successful people willing to share what it takes to be successful in their field. Intern or volunteer in the environment where you would be working. Arm yourself with as much information as you can, preferably before you are out of school. Do not start a job without some fact-finding about different careers and about yourself.