Ikanna Okim

1. I keep a ‘hype’ book. You may not know how easy it is to forget how amazing you are until you try to remember the details of the great things you’ve done and cannot! Write down transactions you worked on and exactly what you did. Write down presentations you’ve made. You’ll need those details in the coming future.

2. I rarely turn down speaking engagements. See it as the easiest way to keep your visibility game going. We should know that you exist and we should know that you know your stuff well enough to talk about it. Create time to remain visible.

3. I add a new certification to my portfolio every year. If I’m too tired to get a Master’s, then I’m doing a course relevant to my career or one which I think would be useful in the near future.

4. I don’t wait for opportunities, I go for them! I do random searches to find international opportunities like conferences and fellowships which can give me the opportunity to travel, strengthen my network and impact the world.

5. I don’t take feedback too personally. This is what most young people struggle with. Without feedback, you can’t grow. It’s better to know what you’re bad at now, when the stakes are lower. I’m sure you want to master the job early. The more the feedback, the faster you grow.