I've been coaching professionals for years now, and the questions I get from people in their 20s are often things I wish someone had told me when I was starting out. So here it is — the stuff I had to learn the hard way.
Don't just work hard. Work visibly. This isn't about self-promotion for the sake of it — it's about making sure the people who matter know what you're contributing. Document your wins. Share updates proactively. The assumption that good work speaks for itself is one of the most expensive career myths out there.
Pick your manager as carefully as you pick your job. Maybe more carefully. A great manager will teach you, open doors for you, and go to bat for you when it counts. A bad one will hold you back no matter how talented you are. Before you accept an offer, try to talk to people who've worked for that manager before. Ask what they learned. That will tell you more than any job description.
Stop waiting to be ready. Raise your hand for things before you feel completely qualified. Most of the time you'll figure it out — and the stretch is where you learn the fastest. If you only take on work you can already do in your sleep, you'll plateau fast.
Build genuine relationships across teams and levels. Not just with peers, but with people who have different skills, different seniority, different functions. Your network is your safety net, your opportunity pipeline, and your learning community. Invest in it consistently, not just when you need something.
And finally — your career is yours. No company is loyal to you by default. Manage it actively. Know where you want to go, and make a plan to get there. Your employer will give you a role. Only you can build a career.
© 2026 Rachel Hong · Accelerator Consulting