Mikio Bohler

In layperson terms, what do you actually do at work?

Job 1--Federal Career (26 years): Strategic Planning, Partnership Development, Monitoring Agency Goals and accomplishments. (Career Job) Job 2--CEO of Mikios Natural Body Scrub LLC: Manage and run the entire operations of the company. (Fun Job)

What is the most useful piece of career advice you got as a student, and who gave it to you?

To target a job that allow me to live the life that I like to live while using my many talents. To actually target a career that allows for the use of your education, talent, promotion, advancement, and tons of opportunity. Then, start a business that a) makes you feel like you are living, b) allows you to use your talents, c) is fun to go to, and d) does not feel like a job.

When you were a student, did you do anything outside of school to build skills or get knowledge that has helped your career?

Yes--Worked in the political arena prior to taking a federal job. Paid Intern--Governor Zell Miller. Paid Intern--Office of the Mayor, Andrew Young. Paid Intern: Senator Wyche Fowler. Graduate Cooperative Education Student, US Environmental Protection Agency.

What is the biggest challenge you had to overcome to get to where you are now professionally? How did you overcome it?

Promotions in the federal workforce can be challenging at times. I changed agencies to advance.

How did you start building your network?

You treat people with respect at all levels because you never know who you are going to need or what information that they can share to help you. You make friends at all levels.

When did you get your first Big Break? How did you get it? How did it go?

Entered the Cooperative Education Program (for students) to enter the federal workforce. Worked while going to graduate school for federal agency. Got offered a permanent job upon graduating with a MPA from GSU.

What is the one piece of career advice you wish someone gave you when you were younger?

Advice : Prior to going to college create two lists--careers that allow you to work for a company, and careers that can easily translate into you evolving into your own company. Its great to work for someone else to learn skills but it is even greater to take those skills and build your own company!

What is it like when your job gets tough?

Tough...hum. Well as a kid i worked on my grandparents farm (summer time vacation) in intense heat. From 6am to 6pm i picked peas, squash, and other items (the rows were about a quarter mile long) ; helped feed hogs (about 20 a day); helped find lost hogs (in the woods), walked 6 miles to the candy store ( because that is how far it was from the farm) and ate really good food and fruits. Nothing NOTHING !!!!! I have done is as tough as that!! So being in an air conditioned office pushing paper and talking as i use my skills is easy cheesy!!! (smile). When things get challenging i just think back on my summer vacations as a kid and for some reason the challenge before me appears insignificant.