"You can never be overdressed or overeducated." - Oscar Wilde
This timeless quote resonated with me and brought back memories from nearly two decades ago when I was in college attending a career fair.
I recall walking into the event, where various potential employers were present, and my attire was far from optimal.
I'll spare you the details. 😀
A recruiter from a well-known national healthcare company stopped me as soon as I stepped in. She advised me to go home and dress appropriately for the occasion.
This moment taught me that how I dressed was part of my brand and contributed to a person's first impression.
It may sound like common sense now, but for a young person learning about the world, this was a challenge that many of my peers had not yet accepted.
Such timely advice has stayed with me ever since.
I remind myself that I can always dress down if I'm overdressed, like taking off a tie or jacket. But it's much harder to dress up. I don't do anyone, including myself, any favors by dressing down or not striving to be a lifelong learner.
Surprisingly, for the past decade, I have thoroughly enjoyed putting on a suit.
Moreover, education over the years has come to me in various forms—reading, taking on stretch assignments, online courses, securities licenses, designations, leadership coaching, mentoring, asking for and applying feedback, and more.
Now, as I approach my adult prime, my kids laugh at some of the pictures from my teenage and young adult years. I can laugh with them. More importantly, as they grow older, I can share a story that carries a lifelong lesson worth passing on for decades to come.
#consistency #noregrets #brandmanagement #OscarWilde #appliedlearning #continiousgrowth
Senior Director, External Affairs at Verizon | Attorney | Adjunct Professor | Retired Opera Singer | Peloton Junkie | Opinions are my own |
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