6 answers
Vincenzo
Student
Radford, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
930 views
What is one personal attribute that has been your driving force for success, and do you think it has been shaped by your career aspirations #Spring25?
I am a graduating senior who will be studying business and hopefully focusing on economics. I am an avid soccer player and enjoy working for my family in our pizzeria. I hope to gain a fresh perspective on how to make meaningful connections in networking which mean everything in building a successful finance career.
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6 answers
Paula Sturman
VP Talent and Development
12
Answers
Sherwood, Oregon
Updated
Paula’s Answer
Hi Vincenzo,
Thanks for your great question! The qualities that have helped me the most are having a futuristic vision and strong strategic thinking.
Being futuristic means getting excited about new possibilities. It involves being curious, asking questions, dreaming big, and pushing yourself and others to achieve more. Throughout my career, I've embraced opportunities for growth and maintained a mindset focused on improvement.
Strategic thinking has been my special "superpower." It allows me to make smart decisions, foresee challenges, and find solutions as I work. I stay persistent and keep moving toward my goals.
As you build your business experience, you'll discover your own strengths that come naturally to you. Stay open to learning and focus on what you do best. I suggest looking into Gallup’s StrengthFinders to help you identify your personal strengths.
Wishing you lots of success in the future.
Paula
Thanks for your great question! The qualities that have helped me the most are having a futuristic vision and strong strategic thinking.
Being futuristic means getting excited about new possibilities. It involves being curious, asking questions, dreaming big, and pushing yourself and others to achieve more. Throughout my career, I've embraced opportunities for growth and maintained a mindset focused on improvement.
Strategic thinking has been my special "superpower." It allows me to make smart decisions, foresee challenges, and find solutions as I work. I stay persistent and keep moving toward my goals.
As you build your business experience, you'll discover your own strengths that come naturally to you. Stay open to learning and focus on what you do best. I suggest looking into Gallup’s StrengthFinders to help you identify your personal strengths.
Wishing you lots of success in the future.
Paula
Thank you for your advice. It's interesting to think about our natural abilities and strengths. We often get caught up in the routine of doing the status quo, but I will keep in mind that sometimes instinct is a better driving force. I appreciate your expertise.
Vincenzo
Paul Rogers
Solutions Engineer | Technical Consultant | Leadership Mentor
18
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Vincenzo,
Love this question — it shows a lot of self-awareness and forward thinking, which will be huge assets for your future.
For me, resilience has been the biggest personal attribute driving my success. Being able to stay focused, bounce back from setbacks, and keep learning no matter what has made the difference — especially as my career path has evolved through sales, solutions engineering, leadership roles, and entrepreneurship.
I definitely think resilience was shaped by my career experiences — early challenges taught me that success isn't about never failing; it’s about showing up, staying adaptable, and learning faster than others.
Your passion for networking and growth already shows you have the right mindset. Keep building meaningful relationships, stay persistent through the ups and downs, and your career will shape into something even bigger than you can imagine today!
Join a professional student organization like DECA, Enactus, or Future Business Leaders of America.
Build a strong LinkedIn profile and start connecting with classmates, professors, and professionals.
Reach out for 2 informational interviews with finance or economics professionals to learn about their career paths.
Love this question — it shows a lot of self-awareness and forward thinking, which will be huge assets for your future.
For me, resilience has been the biggest personal attribute driving my success. Being able to stay focused, bounce back from setbacks, and keep learning no matter what has made the difference — especially as my career path has evolved through sales, solutions engineering, leadership roles, and entrepreneurship.
I definitely think resilience was shaped by my career experiences — early challenges taught me that success isn't about never failing; it’s about showing up, staying adaptable, and learning faster than others.
Your passion for networking and growth already shows you have the right mindset. Keep building meaningful relationships, stay persistent through the ups and downs, and your career will shape into something even bigger than you can imagine today!
Paul recommends the following next steps:
Paul, I appreciate your answer to my question. I really relate to your statement that resilience is a driving force behind your success. It's very easy to be afraid of failing, and I will keep all your advice in mind. I will definitely take your recommendations into consideration as well. Thank you again.
Vincenzo
Dino Ubalde
Educator/Psychologist/Life Coach
231
Answers
Tracy, California
Updated
Dino’s Answer
Hi Vincenzo,
Thanks for reaching out to us! I'm glad you're here, and I hope our conversation brings you some clear insights. You've asked a really great question, one that even made me think deeply. Let's break it down together.
Our dreams and goals are the driving forces behind our aspirations. They are shaped by our experiences with family, loved ones, and the lessons we've learned along the way. These experiences motivate us to strive for our best, not just for ourselves, but also for those we care about.
We can achieve our dreams by relying on our personal qualities like patience, determination, and perseverance. Believing in ourselves, having passion for what we love, and knowing our likes and dislikes all play a part. It's important to keep going, even when things get tough, and to always dream big and find joy in what we do.
Success comes when we prepare ourselves, keep learning, and improve our skills. By doing what we love and staying committed, we set ourselves up for success. When we're ready for life's challenges and seize opportunities, we will succeed. Keep pushing forward, and you'll achieve great things!
Thanks for reaching out to us! I'm glad you're here, and I hope our conversation brings you some clear insights. You've asked a really great question, one that even made me think deeply. Let's break it down together.
Our dreams and goals are the driving forces behind our aspirations. They are shaped by our experiences with family, loved ones, and the lessons we've learned along the way. These experiences motivate us to strive for our best, not just for ourselves, but also for those we care about.
We can achieve our dreams by relying on our personal qualities like patience, determination, and perseverance. Believing in ourselves, having passion for what we love, and knowing our likes and dislikes all play a part. It's important to keep going, even when things get tough, and to always dream big and find joy in what we do.
Success comes when we prepare ourselves, keep learning, and improve our skills. By doing what we love and staying committed, we set ourselves up for success. When we're ready for life's challenges and seize opportunities, we will succeed. Keep pushing forward, and you'll achieve great things!
Thank you very much for your insight. You are exactly right about goals being the driving force. I try to take my life experience and store each interaction with people and places to relate to situations. I will keep my commitment at the forefront because I know that no matter what, I have strong support behind me. I appreciate you taking the time to answer. Thanks again Dino.
Vincenzo
You are very much welcome! I really admire students who asks question like you. I am sure you will go places. Life is good... Chase your dreams!
Dino Ubalde
Jack Robi
Account Manager
4
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Hi Vincenzo, I think that positivity and good energy brings people together no matter what career you are in. If you can work hard to maintain a positive attitude throughout your day, people will enjoy working with you. Additionally, being a listener first and learning to engage in conversation with an open mind helps ideas to grow. These have helped me drive growth in my career, best of luck!
Thank you, Jack for the advice.
Vincenzo
David Davenport
I manage onsite service technicians
1
Answer
Blairsville, Georgia
Updated
David’s Answer
The personal attribute that has most contributed to my success is discipline. While it may seem like a simple trait, it has been the foundation of my ability to consistently meet goals and maintain high performance.
Working from a home office, I don’t have anyone monitoring how I spend my time. There’s no one checking in on me throughout the day, but there are clear expectations and deliverables. Discipline is what enables me to stay focused, manage my time effectively, and consistently deliver results. It’s not about motivation or inspiration; it’s about doing what needs to be done, even when no one is watching.
This attribute has been shaped by my career aspirations. I’ve always wanted to be someone others can rely on, someone who follows through. That mindset has helped me build trust with my team and leadership, and it’s a big part of why I’ve been able to succeed in a remote work environment and keep a job I truly enjoy.
Working from a home office, I don’t have anyone monitoring how I spend my time. There’s no one checking in on me throughout the day, but there are clear expectations and deliverables. Discipline is what enables me to stay focused, manage my time effectively, and consistently deliver results. It’s not about motivation or inspiration; it’s about doing what needs to be done, even when no one is watching.
This attribute has been shaped by my career aspirations. I’ve always wanted to be someone others can rely on, someone who follows through. That mindset has helped me build trust with my team and leadership, and it’s a big part of why I’ve been able to succeed in a remote work environment and keep a job I truly enjoy.
Neil Maude
Business Leader
22
Answers
Leeds, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Neil’s Answer
Hi Vincenzo
Great question!
From what I've seen - from my own successes and failures, as well as those of others - hard work beats talent. Every. Single. Time.
Now, that then asks a second question - how to be able to work hard. When I've seen people excel in that area, the output has come from a combination of a goal and some structure around how to reach that goal. Think of sports and training. Successful athletes have a training plan and stick to it ... even when they don't want to.
That's helped me personally on many occasions. And lacking a goal/plan, split into manageable steps, has often let me down.
Basic stuff, all do-able.
Best of luck!
Great question!
From what I've seen - from my own successes and failures, as well as those of others - hard work beats talent. Every. Single. Time.
Now, that then asks a second question - how to be able to work hard. When I've seen people excel in that area, the output has come from a combination of a goal and some structure around how to reach that goal. Think of sports and training. Successful athletes have a training plan and stick to it ... even when they don't want to.
That's helped me personally on many occasions. And lacking a goal/plan, split into manageable steps, has often let me down.
Basic stuff, all do-able.
Best of luck!