By Ulemu Mbengwani
Growth never happens by accident. It happens through learning, adapting, and showing up consistently.
Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to work with different institutions both full-time and as a consultant. Each experience has taught me something new about what it takes to grow and stand out as a young professional.
Here are nine lessons that have shaped my journey and may help you navigate yours.
1. Confidentiality
Trust is everything in a professional environment. You will come across information that is not meant for public discussion, ranging from company strategies to personal details about colleagues, supervisors, or people from other departments. Unless it involves fraud, a safeguarding concern, or an issue that warrants whistleblowing, learn to keep it to yourself.
People, both within and outside your organization, may ask questions about your workplace or your teammates. Do not be quick to share. You may not always know their motives, and even if the information seems harmless, once others realize that you easily talk, it can quietly erode their trust in you. Maintaining confidentiality builds the trust that is essential for professional growth.
2. Be reliable
Most supervisors appreciate employees who make their work easier. Whenever you are delegated a task, do it to the best of your ability. Ask yourself: If I were the one delegating, what would I expect from the person representing me? Think about what your boss might have been doing if they were present, and try to cover those aspects as well.
When you return from an assignment, do not wait to be asked for feedback. Brief your supervisor proactively, share insights or observations, and go beyond what was expected. Reliability is not just about completing tasks; it is about delivering value and showing that you can be trusted to represent your organization competently.
3. Be proactive
Employees who identify gaps and take action to address them stand out as valuable assets to any team. Be inquisitive, think ahead, and learn how things are done. Work should not stop simply because someone is away or on leave. You should not need to consult your boss on every small issue. Ideally, when you do seek guidance, it should be because you have considered two or three possible solutions and need help deciding the best course of action.
However, exercise good judgment. Do not rush to make decisions on matters that are sensitive or have serious implications if they go wrong. Know what is within your authority and what requires higher-level approval. Proactivity is not about overstepping; it is about being thoughtful, dependable, and resourceful.
4. Pay attention
This is one of the most important skills anyone can develop. Whenever you are called into a meeting or discussion, take your diary, notebook, or any tool you use for recording notes. It is easy to assume you will remember everything, but in fast-paced environments, details often slip away. Even when you do remember the main points, you may miss finer details that can affect the quality of your work compared to someone who documented everything.
Paying attention also extends to understanding office dynamics. No one will teach you this, but it is crucial. Be observant. Learn the unspoken rules. Know who you can approach for specific matters, who influences decisions, and who actually makes them. This awareness prevents you from unintentionally offending others or stepping on the wrong toes. Understand how people prefer to be treated and adjust accordingly. This is not flattery; it is emotional intelligence, an essential quality for learning, gaining experience, and building your career.
5. Be trainable
Each organization has its own ways of doing things. Common processes such as requesting funds, seeking approvals, or completing reconciliations often differ. Some institutions use specific forms or require memos to follow certain formats and approval channels. Others rely on internal digital systems for file storage, communication, or task management.
As a young professional, be open to learning these systems and take the initiative to understand them as quickly as possible. In most cases, you were hired to lessen the workload of those you report to. Having them repeat instructions or train you repeatedly is not the best use of their time. Make it your goal to learn efficiently and begin to take pressure off your supervisors. Doing so not only demonstrates initiative but also reflects positively on your capacity to learn and adapt.
6. Be flexible
In some of the places I have worked, I was part of teams where most members were older than me. Many were married and had family responsibilities. As such, they preferred to spend evenings and weekends with their families, and work-related travel was often the last thing they wanted to do, especially for activities that were not highly strategic or could be handled by someone else.
This is where you come in. Your ability to go to the field on short notice, even within 30 minutes, is an asset. Being willing to travel or work over the weekend when necessary also demonstrates commitment and reliability. Similarly, being open to travel for extended periods, say two to three weeks in or outside the country, is another advantage. Some professionals with family responsibilities are not comfortable being away from their families for long periods. Your flexibility is therefore a strength that adds significant value to your team.
7. Get feedback
Each time I take on a new role, I make it a point to ask why I was chosen for the role. I do not ask this in formal settings but rather during casual moments, perhaps over lunch or while travelling with my supervisor. By then, trust has been built, and they are often happy to share honest insights.
These conversations have given me valuable feedback on what employers found appealing in my CV, what stood out during interviews, and what strengths they see in my performance. I have also received constructive feedback on areas I needed to improve, both in my professional conduct and in how I present myself. Seeking feedback regularly helps refine your approach, update your CV strategically, and improve how you perform in future opportunities.
8. Have samples
This applies strongly to professionals in communications but also to many other fields. Employers often want proof that you can do what you claim. I frequently meet young professionals and recent graduates who say they can write, design graphics, or manage social media. However, when asked for samples, they often respond with excuses like, “I lost my previous work” or “I’ll send it later,” which never happens.
Start creating your own samples. Whether or not they are published is secondary; what matters is having tangible evidence of your ability. If you have managed social media pages, document your results. For example: From January to June 2024, I managed social media pages for [organization], increasing followers from [X] to [Y] and reach from [A] to [B]. Such data-backed examples show seriousness and competence. In other fields, you can also quantify results to demonstrate impact.
9. Look out for yourself
Today’s job market is increasingly characterized by the exploitation of young professionals, especially fresh graduates. Many are offered internship roles with job descriptions as demanding as those of full-time employees. Some employers take advantage of their eagerness to gain experience, offering low pay while withholding benefits such as medical insurance, pensions, bonuses, or 13th cheques.
While gaining experience is important, learn to recognize when you are being undervalued. Seek growth opportunities, but not at the cost of your wellbeing or professional dignity. Know your worth, set boundaries, and pursue opportunities that contribute meaningfully to your development.
Final thoughts
Your career is a journey, not a race. Every experience, good or bad, teaches you something about yourself and the professional world around you. Be flexible, keep learning, seek feedback, and stay alert to opportunities and challenges. Above all, remember that no one will care about your growth more than you do. Stay curious, keep improving, and always look out for yourself.