Author of “The Layoff Cooties-It’s Them, Not You” (Fall 2024 Release)| I post vulnerably on all things sales and layoffs, saying the things you really feel | 25 Year Sales Veteran | ❤️ Lover of God, Charcuterie & Legos
Which job would make you happier? The one paying $39k or the one that earned you $325k in a given year? I’ve had both over the course of my 25 years in sales. And here is my conclusion: The highest earning potential jobs do not necessarily correlate with your happiness. My first job after graduating college paid an annual salary of $39k/yr. No bonus or commission potential. Just straight salary for a regular 40 hour Corporate America job working 8:30-5:30. At 22 years old, I thought I was rich. 🤑 Marriott International, one of the global brands for hotel excellence, hired me as an “information and process analyst” at their HQ in Bethesda, MD. After graduating from Roanoke College in May 2000, I didn’t apply for any full time jobs. I had been accepted into an international work experience internship that found me living in a London flat with several other recent college grads in the fall of that year. I spent the summer living in the basement apartment of my cousin and worked a temp job at Bank of America Mortgage filing and doing clerical work until I left for Europe. I graduated with a degree in business administration with double concentrations in International business and Marketing. This internship program was designed to give recent college grads an opportunity to live abroad and gain valuable professional work skills from their placement across global organizations. I applied and was accepted to intern at Marriott’s worldwide sales office in London. Just a few blocks down the street was the famous Harrod’s shopping Mecca. I’m not a big shopper but even I can admit it’s one of the world’s greatest retail experiences one can enjoy. I learned a lot in my three months living in London, traveling throughout the UK on hostel style weekends across England, Scotland, and Wales. My biggest regret was not getting to Ireland. Still have never been. I digress… My internship with Marriott across the pond led to opportunities to interview at their Corporate HQ upon my return stateside in December of 2000. The start of my professional sales career began in January of 2001. I reported to DeLisa Selwitz who turned out to be my first “professional crush” and someone who I wanted to be just like over the course of my career. More on DeLisa and her impact on me tomorrow. My first job was one of my happiest. I didn’t earn the most money, but it represented all the things anyone wants as they start out in anything new: a chance to prove myself. Marriott, through Delisa, gave me a chance when I had little to no professional work experience. There was something in me that caused her to offer the entry level role knowing she would need to invest time to get me ramped quickly and a productive part of her small team. Belief. It started in me that first job. And it began with someone else believing in me when I didn’t even know what to believe in myself. 🥹 That one word would play an integral role into who I would become nearly 25 years later…
Leslie Mueller
8mo
Just sent this image to my son who needs to see this :-) Great message, thanks for posting.
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8moHmmmm - it's not about the money. It's about purpose AND with clear purpose and learning how to advocate for yourself, the money is part of the ecosystem. Asking people to make a single "or" choice is disconnective. We can be and do and work in myriad ways, not restricted by convention.