J.J Lyle

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

To be Bold in your choices and to determine what truly makes you happy. Do not Deter from this at all costs- even the temporary gratification of employment or compensation is a mere distraction from the possibilities you open up for yourself if you equip yourself with the proper training and continuing education to ensure you can never be expendable in the workforce.

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

Stay Focused and Remember that your mental health plays a great part in your success

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

Going to the military gave me the confidence and knowledge to explore options

How did you start building your network?

Linkin and Indeed were the first options I used to build my network

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

Customer service to ensure that Verizon Customers have the best service and experience

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

Basketball, Youth Church Services, Volunteer with Homesless and Abused Children in my City - help to learn how to deal with difficult issues and personalities no matter the situation

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

Understanding that the education regardless of my experience is necessary in order to be marketable amongst my peers

Did anyone ever oppose your career plans when you were young or push you in a direction you did not want to go?

My family was adamant that they did not want me to go to the military but I felt they did not understand the reasons for my enlistment which was to ensure my financial aid dependency was minimal

What is it like when your job gets tough?

It can be a mental strain listening to various emotions but learning to purge that info makes it a learning experience

How did you pick your career? Did you know all along?

I originally wanted to be an reproductive endocrinologist - but after the military I understood the need for more areas of technology which brought me to my current career