Leveling the Growth Playfield
How To Grow Through Roadblocks and Challenges [32]:
Writer’s note:
Queen Elizabeth II (1926 - 2022), Britain’s longest reigning monarch, dies at 96. I don’t personally have any connections to Britain but want to acknowledge this historical event.
This past Saturday, I edited my LinkedIn to better reflect my professional and personal aspirations. Towards the end of the summary blurb, I added a short sentence expressing my willingness to help people when and if I can. I finished without thinking much about the change.
Three days later, I got messages from three undergraduate students, each with different need for my support. I have always had people reach out to me here and there but I never had three asks in the span of three days. Each time this happened, I tried to help as much as I could especially when I am not burdened by other obligations.
I want to write about leveling the development playing field because I have always been an avid learner. I can compromise on many things but will not waver with one, that is learning.
I want to write about this because too often I see people in my circle being privileged, highly educated and well-off yet gatekeep their success. This can happen in the form of information concealment, clique socializing and avoiding helping others for fear of being rivaled. And I admit, I am too a very privileged person.
Even though I did not grow up in an opulent or most powerful family, I was luckier than many people. Both of my parents went to university and eventually obtained master’s degrees (my mom an MBA and my dad a master in public administration and an MBA). My grandfather and aunt on my mother’s side were teachers. Even though my granddad passed away when I was seven, his presence and the conversation surrounding his life instilled a strong value of education into the family. I would love to say I get to where I am today with pure hard work but there were instances where nepotism was involved.
One, I got into a very good elementary school because of my grandmother’s connection. In middle school, high school and college, I got into great schools entirely on my own merits. Then, in my third year of college, when I was struggling a lot with finding meaningful work experiences and growth opportunity that aligned with my education, my dad stepped in and helped me get a career-changing internship. It was at that one company that I worked for and learned from the best manager of my life. It was also there that the faith that I had lost in my abilities was restored.
Big institutions: companies, schools, national and international organizations are great because that’s where great minds convene. The best public and private institutions will have the most motivated, well-connected and innovative individuals. The road to get there, however, is murkier for some than others. It is not impossible to get there single handedly via merit, but keep in mind you will have to put in 2x, 3x may be even 5x the efforts that people with privileges have that you don’t. I have a very close friend who got into the top consulting companies, all with his merits and incredible relationship building skills. He started off at a very small school and no big connections to his name, but he managed to do it after jumping through many hoops and facing rejections.
That is why now, when people came to me and asked for help, if it is a reasonable ask and with earnestness, I helped or pointed them in helpful directions. I did it because I have been in their shoes or know people who have been. When for days and months, all one receives are rejection letters, all one needs is a small nudge of encouragement to move forward. If you feel stagnant or stuck in your growth or efforts to get a job, scholarship or an opportunity, read on:
5 things you can do for free to take control of your growth:
1. Join relevant communities and groups
Collective voices can ask for development rights more effectively than individuals can. Participate in these communities and connect with the fellow members. Usually, leaders in these groups are willing to help and open people to new chances because either that was the the original purpose of creating that community or the success of the community is directly tied to their identity.
What these communities can look like: ERGs in companies, professional fraternities or interest groups in college, discord and slack channels to break into competitive industries (tech, finance, etc.)
If there are no communities or groups that meet your need or background, connect with similar people and create one. I am rallying a small group of young analysts at my current employer, and that has given me a strong encouragement at work.
2. Utilize resources and connections of big institutions
If you are part of a school or company, chances are there are many alumni, former or current employees that are willing to teach, help, and bring you closer to where you want to be. Your responsibility is to reach out to people. Many will ignore your messages but the ones who do will help.
If you are in college, your “.edu” email will open a lot of doors (quoted from Reboot substack) whether asking for coffee chats or practical advices.
3. Ask for what you want
In large institutions (or in real life if you had graduated), no one is going to ask what you like to do next. Do some inner reflection, thorough research and figure out what areas you want to be involved in and ask for them specifically. If you don’t ask, no one will give it to you.
4. Understand power dynamics
This might not apply to every situation but if you are in a big corporation or went to a big university like I did, you might benefit from this knowledge.
The way a big institution works rely heavily on senior leaders or figures in power, whether it’s in the way the hierarchy is set or off the record. These organizations’ direction, strategy and decisions are mostly, if not entirely based on senior leaders. So when you can, play the cards right by appealing to the most senior people in the organizations. Build connections, find common ground and sympathy from influential figures; those are the people that could actually make an impact and drive the change you desire.
5. Show enthusiasm, curiosity and positivity
It can be difficult waiting for your moment to shine, but maintain a good attitude - not always cheerful but sanguine. Your energy has the power to draw like-minded people and if you ask me, I would want people in an uplifting place to help me. Spend time working on your self-fulfillment when you are not busy getting that next big thing for your career or education.
If you have extra time and want to learn from free resources on the Internet, below are some of my favorites:
My favorite learning platforms:
To listen:
Unlock FM Podcast (in Vietnamese)
Ta Di Tay Podcast (in Vietnamese)
Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal Podcast (my favorite ones are with Grace Beverly and Alex Lieberman)
Tik Toks - everything from entrepreneurship, personal finances, breaking into tech, learning how to negotiate, Tik Toks have it.
To read:
Morning Brew Newsletter (business daily news)
Emerging Tech Brew (emerging tech daily news)
Noahpinion Newsletter (economics, socio-political commentary
Bookbear Express Newsletter (personal/emotional reflection, self -help)
Tung Akwaaba Newsletter (in Vietnamese)
Not free but I highly recommend: Atomic Habits by James Clear (where you can learn how to build long-lasting habits that change lives!)
To practice:
Coursera (if you go the U of M, your email is accessible to hundreds of additional courses by the UMN consortium with eligible certificates, just log in with your @umn.edu email)
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Comment down below your experiences with self-charted growth, or helping others grow. I would love to know.