Mark Twain once said, “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” The great writer dropped out of elementary school to become a printer’s apprentice.
Like many other brilliant people, he understood one truth. Although the school offers many wonderful things, success and happiness have little to do with studies. Drive, persistence, ability to help people, and a total belief in own success – that’s what really makes a difference. But you won’t learn them in school.
Whether you’re a college dropout or a Warwick Business School graduate, you must develop those skills, attitudes, habits, and traits to succeed. In this post, let us walk you through six essential ones so you know what your dream employer is looking for.
1. Passion
“We seek individuals who demonstrate passion...”
That’s how Microsoft chooses people for their Leap Apprenticeship program. Passion is a must for young people trying different careers because it helps to keep going when things get tougher. If a person isn't passionate about what they do, then they’re probably working in a wrong role, or, worse still, industry.
On the other hand, if someone is passionate about what they do, they always look for better ways to improve, achieve more, and master the job. That’s intrinsic motivation at its best, and nothing can beat it. If you’re passionate about something, being in the right environment - participating in an apprenticeship program, that is - will build that passion.
Finding out your passion might not be as easy.
But if you’re really up for it, consider these tips:
2. Determination
Determination is another trait that Microsoft mentions as a criterion for choosing apprenticeship program participants. If an apprentice is determined to be successful in a program, the chance is great that they’ll keep going despite the biggest obstacles.
The reasons for that are that determination: 1) pushes to move forward and 2) is a major source of motivation. That’s why this trait is a standard chestnut of the self-help literature and resume optimization guides. As long as an apprentice has a goal, they will try to overcome failure and push through obstacles on the way.
In other words, failure is a temporary diversion for determined people, not an end. That’s why people call determination “the secret of success.”
The managers at AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company, say they chose highly driven individuals for their apprenticeship programs. The determination to embark on their own path and set aside “the traditional route” is what particularly impresses these mentors.
3. Resilience
Yet another trait that Microsoft mentions as a requirement for their programs. Companies like Microsoft understand that being an apprentice is a serious test of a person’s adaptability, discipline, and confidence.
The young employees will work with different people and complete complex tasks. Take a look at this apprenticeship description below as an example. The participant will have to work productively in challenging situations – resilience is a must to succeed there.
