Welcome to my blog spot - the spot that encourages an opinion, creates a productive outlet and introduces an informal, interactive Book Club! Each chapter of my book, "No Box," will be up for discussion and I want to know how you feel. Let's share with a mission - to enlighten, inspire and perhaps, amuse the masses! Not much of a "book clubber?" No problem, but feel free to comment on what you liked or disliked about this work.
Chapter One: Ok, as you may know, my life after graduation was far from what I had imagined it to be. I can admit that I was a little naive; I was banking on the idea of absolute professional favor with little regard to acquiring other experiences I needed to be on the competitive forefront. When the rejection came, I wanted to turn back the hands of time and do things another way - a better way. If you could change any of the choices you made concerning your career, would you? What would you have done differently or are you satisfied with the route you took? Share!
16 comments:
I really look foward to reading the book...
I have read your book "No Box" and it is very inspiring. I intend to give a copy of this good read to my entire staff. It is refreshing to read about someone who is living and documenting the trials and rallies of life; trying to attain a foothold in this competitive world - and it's all LIVE! Thank you, I look forward to hearing you speak soon!!
I have yet to read the book but I did get a "sneak peak" on your publisher's website and I know it's going to be be awesome! I cannot wait to read it because I too have experienced these same feelings of sadness, rejection, and uncertainty concerning my own professional development and have dealt with them in my own personal way. It's always great to find that you are not in a struggle alone and that there is someone reaching out a hand to pull you out of your hole. Thanks for sharing!
I also look forward to reading this inspired effort on the part of Ms. Spicer. If the book is anything thing like the author, it should prove intelligent and rewarding beyond our expectations! Congrats Candace and I look forward to joining your book club and sharing your journey.
Your fan,
LaToya Baker
Congrats Ms. Spicer. I look forward to reading your work that you've been so secretly busy with.
You are such an inspiration and I am so glad that you are my friend. I can not wait to purchase your book and read it. You are young, beautiful, and most of all intelligent. God created a great individual and he has great plans for you. I wish you much success. I love you very much!
Ms. Nicole Boone
Website looks amazing! Can't wait to read the book.
Jason & Danielle Harris
I'm looking forward to reading the book as well. It is truly a blessing to see more and more young black writers on the scene. Good luck, and congratulations.
I just picked up my copy today and will be reading it this wknd. Again, I am so proud of everything you've done. But to get back to your post (would I change or do anything differently) I have to say yes. While I am in a place today were most people would assume I'm successful, I would change the path I took to get here. I am happy that i have gained real life experiences and am a few steps ahead of my peers, but one thing that I did wrong was allow insignificant distractions slow me down. What are they? Toxic friendships, bad relationships, even non-accountability. I was so caught up in "having fun" and living in the moment, that it took me a minute to start planning for my future. Its been a struggle, one that I am grateful for because I gained so much perspective about life, but I do know the importance of work now, play later. Be it through formal education or joining the workforce right out of college, one must set goals for themselves and have a plan if they truly want to be successful.
Is there anything I would change about my career? Certainly. That may come to a surprise for some people b/c like you, Candice, I excelled academically - High School Honor Society, Cum Laude undergrad, and MBA from one of the nation's Top 10 business schools - however, I did not develop a craft. As you mentioned in the book, we are encouraged to travel the often-traveled path of academia (which is good advice), but we are not encouraged to develop a craft that we're passionate about. So, in essence, I would change my career by supplementing it with a hands-on craft that I thoroughly enjoy doing. Post de facto, I complain that American classroom curriculums teach us textbook knowledge so that we "can get a job" instead of teaching us "how to build wealth (patiently) via our passions."
If I could do things differently, I would have gone to school in a different city and state. I feel like my comfort zone has created a block in my career advancement because I lack the challenge of competition and of different minded people from different walks of life.
Unlike most here I took the OJT and common sense path to a career that I am proud of. While this route has taken me to a lower level management position, with a college education I feel I could have gone farther. I would not change a lot, with the exception of taking advantage of the free education offer by my company. I do however tend to disagree with Ms Thomas. I think it's the distractions, the toxic friends, bad relationships, etc... that make us who we are.
responding to "the speaker":
i do agree that those things help make you who you are but for myself, those things hindered me from doing what I needed to do. Had I not detached myself, I would be in the same predicament as those "friends". Their outlook on life has not changed AT ALL over the last 8 years and it's eye been an eye opener because, I could have still been there, with the same viewpoints that i had at 20. The lessons learned have helped me grow as a woman, but I wish I hadn't gotten distracted for as long as I did. I would not change all of the experiences but I would have limited some things, if that makes sense.
If I could do it all again I would certainly realize the importance of interning, networking, and getting the best grades possible. I too figured that a college degree would automatically get me a high paying job (or at least that's what the school made me believe) but when reality bit, "ouch!"...Congrats, Candace and I look forward to reading your book!
After the reading the first chapter, I am anxious for more. To answer your question; actually, I am quite satisfied with the route that I took toward my career. Coming from a family with many non-college graduates, I had a different plan for my life. I always knew that I needed a career in high demand considering how bored I can become and my lack of commitment to just one company. After taking a few accounting courses in high school, I knew that I would choose accounting as my major. Why not, everyone needs an accountant & the money is great. I did consider teaching and becoming a nurse but I knew that I did not have enough patience to be a teacher and I could not overcome my fear of blood to become a nurse. There is one choice that I wish I could change, getting my Masters Degree in accounting right after receiving my Bachelor's Degree. It has been five years since I graduated and I still imagine going back to school. Who knows, maybe I will soon.
I have read your book and LOVE IT. It is so real. I have taken your advice in chapter 4 to O.A.D.E. Implementing this concept has helped me at home, church, and work.
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