Create a Career To-do List and Seek Work That is Personally Fulfilling with Anna Murray

Phil’s guest on this episode of the IT Career Energizer podcast is Anna Murray. She is a nationally recognized technology consultant, speaker, and blogger as well as the owner of a successful software development company.  She founded one of the earliest web-development firms, emedia, in 1996 and is a double recipient of the Stevie Award for Women in Business.

She also serves as the President of the Board of the International Women’s Writing Guild.

In this episode, Phil and Anna Murray discuss the fact that there are a lot of roles within the industry that do not require you to have an engineering background or degree. They speak about practical ways to progress your career on a daily basis.

Anna also explains why she has focused on what she wants to get out of her working life, rather than chasing after a specific job title.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

(3.41) TOP CAREER TIP

You need a day-to-day to-do list. But it is very important to have a second one, a career to-do list. Things that you need to do to move your career forward. For example, writing a book, completing a specific training program or landing a certain role.

Don´t let your daily to-do list drown out what needs to be done to progress your career. In the podcast, Anna shares several practical ways to do this.

(6.58) WORST CAREER MOMENT

Very early in her career, at a young age, Anna was in charge of a massive project. But she missed something important. An error which cost about $250,000. She was horrified and paralyzed by shame and fear.

But, luckily, she had a wise and understanding mentor to help her through. The experience taught her that she, nor anyone else, could be perfect. When there are issues, you need to fix the problem rather than fixing the blame.

(9.39) CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Having her book, The Complete Software Project Manager, published was a big career highlight for Anna. In particular when, a few years later, she met someone who told her it was so good that he keeps it on his nightstand and refers to it regularly.

(11.14) THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

The fact that when you work in IT you are always moving the world forward is exciting. IT is an industry that has always had a big impact on the world and that is going to continue.

(13.21) THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – Anna´s journalism major entailed working with technology, as a result of which she was drawn into the IT industry.

What’s the best career advice you received? – Anna´s dad once told her to focus on getting the job. But, at the same time, not to be afraid to turn it down. In the podcast, Anna and Phil discuss why this is good advice.

What’s the worst career advice you received? – Always speak up and get your voice heard at meetings. You need to be careful not to speak just for the sake of it.

What would you do if you started your career now? – Anna would probably focus on big data.

What are your current career objectives? – Anna is trying to find the time to write more.

What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Being able to explain something that is very technical and complex in a way that anyone can understand.

How do you keep your own career energized? – Taking enough time out to relax and stimulate her mind in other ways enables Anna to stay fresh, energized and think about things in new ways.

What do you do away from technology? – Anna enjoys horse riding, as well as spending time with her puppy and her family. She also travels and goes to the theatre a lot.

(21.58) FINAL CAREER TIP

Stop thinking so much about what position or role you want to attain. Instead, focus on what you want to get out of your work.

BEST MOMENTS

(4.04) – Anna - “Don´t let your daily to-do list drown out the tasks that need to be done to progress your career”

(14.13) – Anna - “Get the job then turn it down. Doing this gives you the opportunity to interview and find out more about what is out there.”

(17.07) – Anna - “Don´t be afraid to speak up. But, learn to read your audience and deploy information effectively.”

(20.18) – Anna - “Understand the decision that your client has to make. This will enable you to come up with better solutions.”

(21.11) – Anna - “Somehow getting away from the thing you are working on for a while pours positive energy back into it.”

(23.35) – Anna - “Think more about what you are looking for from your work, as opposed to focusing on attaining a certain position.”

ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop and implement software solutions.  Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.  And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.

CONTACT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/philtechcareer

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess

Facebook: https://facebook.com/philtechcareer

Instagram: https://instagram.com/philtechcareer

Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact

Phil is also reachable by email at [email protected] and via the podcast’s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com

Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer

ABOUT THE GUEST – ANNA MURRAY

Anna Murray is a nationally recognized technology consultant, speaker, and blogger as well as the owner of a successful software development company.  She founded one of the earliest web-development firms, emedia, in 1996 and is a double recipient of the Stevie Award for Women in Business.

She also serves as the President of the Board of the International Women’s Writing Guild.

CONTACT THE GUEST – ANNA MURRAY

Anna Murray can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/apmurray123 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-murray-a04255/

Website: https://emediaweb.com

Book: The Complete Software Project Manager