#career-advice

#career-advice

In June, after seven and a half years at Microsoft, I became a principal security engineer. When people ask what I do, I tell them, 'I fight threat actors.' I respond to threats like credit card fraud or phishing scams. As thousands of people get phishing links in their inbox every day, I work at scale, taking the scams down. Whenever something critical goes down, I run the incident response. I make sure the right people are in the room, all the processes are in place, and the fire is put out so the systems can get back online.

The marketing and communications field is evolving rapidly, shaped by emerging technologies, shifting consumer behaviors and new expectations for authenticity and impact. For professionals just entering the industry, the opportunities are vast-but so are the challenges. Building a successful career requires not only technical skills, but also adaptability, creativity and a commitment to continuous learning. To help the next generation chart their paths with confidence, Forbes Communications Council members share their top advice for those beginning their journey in the industry.

You will have to make very practical (sometimes very cold) decisions about what you want from life and what you're willing to give up. And if you don't make them, then life will make them for you.

"A layoff can feel so personal but it's not a reflection of your value or what you contributed. Especially in the U.S., the work we do is so tied to our identity," said Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, a financial therapist.

"There is no balance. People are like, 'I need a work-life balance.' If you want to crush the game, there's somebody working 24 hours a day to kick your ass."

It is natural for you to feel a bit deflated when you see someone excel when you are feeling vulnerable.

A polished LinkedIn account with relevant keywords, a professional headshot, and detailed experience can make all the difference.

America doesn't aim small. Alabama doesn't aim small, and neither do you.

According to Amanda Augustine, including an objective statement on your résumé can often appear generic and replete with clichéd phrases, ultimately not serving its intended purpose.

Job openings for software engineers on Indeed have plummeted more than a third compared to 2020, highlighting the competitive landscape for software engineering roles.