1. Key Lessons for a Successful CareerBy
Kenneth E. (Ken) Arnold
Senior Technical Advisor
WorleyParsons
2015

2. Agenda Four key lessons Conclusions
Having the right attitude towards work
Being a true professional
Pick a direction and pursue it
Picking the right company
Conclusions

3. Having the Right Attitude
It is all about behavior and not intention
Things to consider:
How Much Effort is Enough
Hard Work vs. Reward
Working With Others
Taking Responsibility

4. How Much Effort is Enough
Your Employer deserves your best efforts
Think About Solving the Problems – Not Just Doing What You Are Told
You can’t assume it is someone else’s job
The Phone Story
Lesson #1
When someone is paying your salary, they deserve the very best effort and advice you can give them

5. Hard Work vs. Reward Things you cannot say:
“If they would pay me (or treat me) better I would work harder”
“They are not paying me for that responsibility”
“Jack and Jill don’t work as hard as I do and they get paid more.”
More challenge leads to more knowledge and leads to advancement
Others may make more money, but don’t worry. It will work out in the end.
Lori at UNO Story
Lesson #2
Challenge yourself to do more than is asked of you. Don’t ever worry that you are doing more than the next guy even though your salaries are the same. Time will take care of that, and besides you will get more satisfaction out of your work.

6. Working With Others
Everyone deserves the same respect you wish for yourself
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Declaration of Independence, Magna Carta, National Motto of France, Constitution of India
Work side by side with others below you in the organization
Work side by side with those in other organizations
The Travis Brazel Story
Lesson #3
Work side by side with, listen to and respect the opinion of everyone with whom you interact: other professionals, field people – both construction and operations, administration staff, etc. They can help you or hurt you.

7. Taking Responsibility
Every job can be done better
Each is a learning experience
You will make mistakes
Mark of a Good Professional
Recognize mistakes early
Take corrective action
Take responsibility
The Concrete Slab Story
Lesson #4
You will make mistakes. There is no such thing as a perfect project. Critically question your assumptions and decisions throughout the project, recognize your mistakes as soon as practical, take appropriate corrective action to recover, and never blames others. Most importantly learn from the experience.

8. Agenda Four key lessons Conclusions
Having the right attitude towards work
Being a true professional
Pick a direction and pursue it
Picking the right company
Conclusions

9. Professional Behavior
Do the right thing
Think about the objectives
Express your opinion – your boss deserves one good strong argument, whether he wants to hear it or not
Act ethically
Understand how your behaviors and actions are perceived by others
Only test is if you act in a way that is counter to your own selfish interest
The Friction Reducer Story
Lesson #5
It is not always easy or profitable to be a professional, but if you do the right thing and focus on the best interest of the public and of your project, you will feel better and it all seems to work out in the end.

10. Agenda Four key lessons Conclusions
Having the right attitude towards work
Being a true professional
Pick a direction and pursue it
Picking the right company
Conclusions

11. Having a Goal
You can never get anywhere until you first know where you want to go
Waiting for lightening to strike to find out what you want out of your career, or indeed your life is not a strategy for success
Don’t worry if the goal is ideal for you
In every job you can find something you enjoy if you apply the first 5 lessons
If you enjoy what you are doing you will excel
This will point the way to opportunities

12. Pursuing Your Goal Keep thinking
Most careers develop other than originally expected
Tell people what it is you have done and what you want to do
Don’t brag or take undue credit
You are the best salesman for YOU
Two examples
The ECC example
The bridge example
Lesson #6
Pick a goal. Find what you like and can be good at and focus. But remember, keep your eyes open as opportunities will arise and your goal will change with time.

13. Agenda Four key lessons Conclusions
Having the right attitude towards work
Being a true professional
Pick a direction and pursue it
Picking the right company
Conclusions

14. Attributes of the Right Company
Willing to invest in its employees
Training
Career advancement
Challenging work
Rewording work
Good but SECONDARY
Pay
Time off
Location
Social amenities
Shell example
Lesson # 7
Start your career in a company which will help you pursue your goals and give you the tools to pursue your unknown future path. You may stay there forever or you may not.

15. Agenda Four key lessons Conclusions
Having the right attitude towards work
Being a true professional
Pick a direction and pursue it
Picking the right company
Conclusions

16. Key Lessons Lesson #1 Lesson #2 Lesson #3 Lesson #4
When someone is paying your salary, they deserve the very best effort and advice you can give them
Lesson #2
Challenge yourself to do more than is asked of you
Lesson #3
Work side by side with, listen to and respect the opinion of everyone with whom you interact
Lesson #4
Critically question your assumptions and decisions throughout the project, recognizes your mistakes, take appropriate corrective action, and never blames others. Most importantly he learns from the experience.

17. Key Lessons Lesson #5 Lesson #6 Lesson # 7
It is not always easy or profitable to be a professional, but if you do the right thing and focus on the best interest of the public and of your project, you will feel better and it all seems to work out in the end
Lesson #6
Pick a goal. Find what you like and can be good at and focus. But remember, keep your eyes open as opportunities will arise and your goal will change with time
Lesson # 7
Start your career in a company which will help you pursue your goals and give you the tools to pursue your unknown future path. You may stay there forever or you may not.

18. Conclusions I was lucky enough to learn these lessons by accident
Have a plan but realize it will change with time
Go be a good employee first and learn
Then decide what you want to do – keep your eyes open and be flexible
Tell people what you have done and what you want to do
You are the best salesman for YOU