If you could go back in time what would you change about your career path?

Good question!

If I could go back in time, I would like to have had more self-confidence, and taken advantage of opportunities that came my way. I wish I had gotten into sports as a kid. I sometimes wish I had gone into the military. I would have learned the skills of how to get along with coworkers, teamwork, and respect for authority (my weakness!)

Instead, I went to college. I had a good internship working with a top investigative reporter. I made a stupid mistake on my first assignment, and, I was so embarrassed, I quit. I should have pushed on. Then, there was a very difficult class that was by invitation only. It was a law class, called "moot court." I didn't think I was smart enough to handle it, so I did not take it.

About a year after graduating, I was in the police academy. One of the instructors referred me to a job at a private company doing insurance fraud investigating. I thought he was trying to get me OUT of law enforcement, because I was female. I never saw what he was trying to do to further my career.

I encourage everyone to keep an eye open for doors of opportunity, even if you have a career path planned out. Evaluate opportunities, and, if they are potentially good, don't be afraid to try them out! (this also means managing your personal finances in such a way that you can afford to take a pay CUT if it would provide an opportunity to really get ahead!)

Success in business involves a sharp focus with continuous personal renewal. The focus I chose, to be a global business leader, required me to be aware of how the various functions of a business operate and fit together.

So, for job number one, I sought and successfully became employed by a company with an excellent corporate training program. As such, I was able to become an intern who worked briefly in every function of the corporation. It offered the basis for a successful career in business.

Constant renewal from manufacturing foreman, to sales analyst, to sales person, to training other salespeople, to national corporate sales individual, to sales manager, to product marketing manager, to global business strategy director, to corporate vice president venture capital, to CEO/Chairman of a portfolio of high technology global businesses - stemmed from that first decision to seek a corporation that would teach me the fundamentals and fit between various functions.

The most important point is to have a focus in mind and a willingness to try on new roles, while you learn from each role the function and fit within the overall corporate structure. Also, along the way you will learn from a series of bosses how best to manage people-when to lead, how to lead, when to give the reins of leadership to subordinates in your team.

I would not change anything that I have done. Having changed roles and companies to meet the focus creates risk. All roles are not the best fit. But, one should learn from every experience while keeping the end point in mind.

Nothing! :) I've been continuously focusing on learning opportunities and differentiation. Never take jobs for the salary they offer you, because these are the companies where you're not going to learn much and salaries are their only way to attract talents.

Joey,

Great question and one the crosses my mind regularly. If I could go back in time I would tell myself fear is not real and encourage myself to follow my heart / passion for the things I love. I would have not settled for a job and would have looked for what I do today sooner helping others find work daily. I have learned over time to do the things I love and have put them to work in my life to earn a living. At the end of the day you can always re-invent yourself at any point in life. I would say to myself don't listen to the nay-sayers and pursue what you enjoy most in life. Have fun and I hope this answer helps make a change in your life!