I am an engineer graduated from the Polytechnic School of USP. I am very proud of this and I value the university and the professionals who graduate from it. But I need to share with you that two of the greatest engineers that I admire have not studied at the prestigious Poli. This, together with my experience in the recruitment and selection market , makes me believe that studying at a top-tier university is a great start to my career, but it does not define my career success of the trajectory.

In my view, the faculty does not make the engineer, the doctor, the dentist, the administrator or any other professional. It certainly can open some doors for you, but it does not keep you in the opportunity. First, you need to have a well-structured career planning that guides you at each step, indicating what to do and when, that is a guide for the main decisions. Of course, this plan does not have to be static. Ideally, it should be reviewed from time to time to see if it still makes sense within the corporate reality, the world and your wants and needs. The most important thing is that, in some way, it takes you to the maximum position you want to occupy in your career.

In this trajectory, I recommend that professionals take responsibility for their own development. Of course, help from the company, the manager or colleagues is always welcome. Many organizations offer in-house courses or allowances for educational and training activities. But it is not strategic to outsource this responsibility. Otherwise, you run the risk of putting your career in the hands of fate, leaving only regret when something goes wrong.

The career ladder

Considering each step you want to climb in your career, map all the points you need to develop as a professional and also as a person. After all, it is not a lie when they say that employees are hired for their technical profile and fired for their behavior. Today, knowing how to deal with pressure, adapt to changes and maintain empathic communication is as important as achieving results, having certifications and understanding methods and processes.

Even if it is virtually, take courses, participate in lectures, talk with market professionals and go in search of sincere feedbacks. Commit to new projects, meet people, strengthen relationships and seek expert help whenever you deem it necessary. All of this will be fundamental to building a solid career. With a little bit of sensitivity, you’ll know how and when to improve it further.

Those who manage to graduate from a reputable university certainly deserve recognition for overcoming the barrier of competitive entrance exams and possible above-average demands on a daily basis. However, to establish a prominent position among the best, it is necessary to rely on more solid elements than a diploma or the concept of the educational institution that issued it. Think about it.