Very true. Never once did I make my efforts about me, nor did I blatantly capitalize on it. The focus was on building a stronger local community. Thanks for this.
Disclaimer: the reason I subscribed to your Substack and stumbled on this article is that I signed up for your class on Coursera and started more systematic learning of Data Engineering :)
Great article, Joe. It resonates a lot with me given the time of the year and circumstances I am in. I had been a high flyer in tech (product management) in the past decade. While grateful for the opportunity I have been given, experiences and friendship I have gained, I am increasingly feeling detached from my day-to-day, wondering if there is alternative paths.
Your story about building personal brand serendipitously makes sense to me, though I must say, I found the 'personal branding' notion too commercial and utilitarian. What you have create and established started from genuine interest of knowledge sharing and community building rather than personal fame/gain.
To close this up. Thank you for your post. It is a timely encouragement and source of comfort.
I am taking a pause from my corporate job, slow down and find my 'zone of genius' rather than 'zone of excellence', a term coned by Gay Hendricks, if they are in fact, not overlapping.
Nothing is firmly planned, just like how I start my career in tech. But I also believe, life can only be made sense looking backward but it must live forward. As long as I follow my own compass.
Excellent article @Joe Reis! I couldn't agree more with you on how to differentiate yourself in this market. Relying on the static resume to open up new opportunities challenging. Leveraging alternative mediums (such as any you described) are key to building a portfolio.
Erudite. I figured that out in high school luckily. I saw that students with good grades never actually got where they wanted to be and its our ability to clearly pronounce our ideas and network that was the master key. I like you had a great time during COVID getting to know people who i otherwise would never have met. Lastly i would add that be careful for you wish for also. Add value because you can be known for posting for the sake of posting. Keep making great content and sharing it with your tribe. Its just a matter of time
I love this post. Thanks for showing that its never too late to build your personal brand. Seriously, I've had old bosses, colleagues and new people come out of the wood works from just posting 1-3x a month. I can't imagine if I got more consistent. Thanks for the push and sharing your story!
I really liked your point that it's not a zero-sum game. There is a place for each and every one of us, and if it feels like you need to put on a mask in order to fit in, then it's definitely not the place you must be in.
When you fit in, you will find yourself energized by the work, appreciated and driven. Unfortunately you only get to realize this later on in your career, and I think it's wonderful that you stress it out to people who might just be starting.
That's part of what being an 'influencer' is, and, luckily for the data community, you really are one!
Thanks for sharing, Joe. I am not sure what path I should take. It’s been catching up with new technologies and being in higher education vertical it is challenging!
I think you missed a key aspect of your success - you were servants to your local community. It wasn't about personal success or fame.
Very true. Never once did I make my efforts about me, nor did I blatantly capitalize on it. The focus was on building a stronger local community. Thanks for this.
Disclaimer: the reason I subscribed to your Substack and stumbled on this article is that I signed up for your class on Coursera and started more systematic learning of Data Engineering :)
Great article, Joe. It resonates a lot with me given the time of the year and circumstances I am in. I had been a high flyer in tech (product management) in the past decade. While grateful for the opportunity I have been given, experiences and friendship I have gained, I am increasingly feeling detached from my day-to-day, wondering if there is alternative paths.
Your story about building personal brand serendipitously makes sense to me, though I must say, I found the 'personal branding' notion too commercial and utilitarian. What you have create and established started from genuine interest of knowledge sharing and community building rather than personal fame/gain.
To close this up. Thank you for your post. It is a timely encouragement and source of comfort.
I am taking a pause from my corporate job, slow down and find my 'zone of genius' rather than 'zone of excellence', a term coned by Gay Hendricks, if they are in fact, not overlapping.
Nothing is firmly planned, just like how I start my career in tech. But I also believe, life can only be made sense looking backward but it must live forward. As long as I follow my own compass.
Excellent article @Joe Reis! I couldn't agree more with you on how to differentiate yourself in this market. Relying on the static resume to open up new opportunities challenging. Leveraging alternative mediums (such as any you described) are key to building a portfolio.
Very inspiring Joe 🙏 💐
Erudite. I figured that out in high school luckily. I saw that students with good grades never actually got where they wanted to be and its our ability to clearly pronounce our ideas and network that was the master key. I like you had a great time during COVID getting to know people who i otherwise would never have met. Lastly i would add that be careful for you wish for also. Add value because you can be known for posting for the sake of posting. Keep making great content and sharing it with your tribe. Its just a matter of time
Just a matter of time indeed
I love this post. Thanks for showing that its never too late to build your personal brand. Seriously, I've had old bosses, colleagues and new people come out of the wood works from just posting 1-3x a month. I can't imagine if I got more consistent. Thanks for the push and sharing your story!
That’s so cool
I really liked your point that it's not a zero-sum game. There is a place for each and every one of us, and if it feels like you need to put on a mask in order to fit in, then it's definitely not the place you must be in.
When you fit in, you will find yourself energized by the work, appreciated and driven. Unfortunately you only get to realize this later on in your career, and I think it's wonderful that you stress it out to people who might just be starting.
That's part of what being an 'influencer' is, and, luckily for the data community, you really are one!
Thanks! A lot of things I write are just things I wish I would’ve known earlier. So, I’m happy to share these learnings with people.
Thanks for sharing, Joe. I am not sure what path I should take. It’s been catching up with new technologies and being in higher education vertical it is challenging!
Why not try out a few things and see what works?
That Miles Cole article was timely - really the whole blog. Super relevant to a problem I’m trying to solve at work this week
Thank you, Joe, for sharing your thoughts openly and warmly!