The path toward success is shaped by your courage, curiosity, and resilience.
It’s Rising Stars season once again – the time when firms throughout the AEC industry are putting their final touches on applications and recognizing the tremendous accomplishments their young professionals have made.
As I look through nearly 20 years of Rising Stars, I can’t help but reflect on my own path. I have struggled and misstepped at times, but the lessons and advice I received along the way made all the difference. As we prepare to evaluate and select the 2025 class of Rising Stars from amongst a growing list of applicants, I wanted to offer some of the wisdom I was given along the way – for future Rising Stars and all young AEC professionals:
- Fake it until you make it. This is a cliche, but it truly works. Confidence is a major key to growth. My first role as a director came at a start-up in my 20s. I was nervous and didn’t necessarily feel ready, leading to feelings of imposter syndrome. In hindsight, the promotion was a vote of confidence from the founders. They saw something in me that I didn’t yet feel in myself. I was forced to make a decision. Either I was going to let these feelings get the best of me, or I was going to rise up and prove I was the right person for the job. That process started with proving it to myself. I had to act as confidently as possible until I actually gained that confidence. I balanced this confidence by working as hard as I could, and before I knew it, I was sure I could do it.
- If you don’t ask, you may not receive. A mentor once told me that no one is really looking out for you but you. While they had obviously been burned in the past, I think there is a lot of wisdom in this sentiment. Every substantial raise and every promotion I’ve received has come as a result of me taking the initiative to ask. I took my mentor’s advice and started planting seeds when I saw an opportunity. That promotion I mentioned earlier? That came from me asking about growth opportunities at the company. How was I doing? Where did they see me adding the most value? When it comes to career growth, it’s your responsibility to speak up and ask for what you want. Be your own advocate.
- Step outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Diversify yourself. Take every opportunity to gain new skills and establish new relationships with different groups of people. If it feels unnatural or makes you a bit anxious, it’s probably a good thing. This is where growth happens. For example, I participated in a 12-week Dale Carnegie course on Effective Communications and Human Relations. This course changed my perspective completely, both professionally and personally. In this short time, I was able to hone better communication skills, develop as a public speaker, and learn to influence people in an authentic and caring way. I still use these skills on a daily basis, so don’t be afraid to learn new skills and try something new.
- Lead by example. We’ve all had a bad boss or two. It’s a horrible but seemingly universal experience. However, there are lessons to be learned. My first experience with a bad boss taught me what type of leader I didn’t want to be. Similarly, we’ve all had bosses and leaders we’ve loved, and there is just as much to learn from them. The point is: take what you’ve loved, admired, and hated and shape yourself into the leader you wish you had.
- Participate, communicate, and have fun. I believe these are things we must all do every single day. In fact, this is the advice we leave our kids with in the morning at school drop off. These three simple things allow us to not only elevate ourselves, but everyone else around us. As a young professional, it’s important to engage with your coworkers and the company to stand out and express your commitment. Likewise, communication helps you build your network within your firm. There is no such thing as too much communication. And finally, once you are participating and communicating, try your best to have fun. Having fun makes the rest of it worth it.
The path toward success is not always a straight one, and we should keep that in mind as we prepare to celebrate another generation of young AEC professionals. This journey is shaped by your courage, curiosity, and resilience. Whether it’s asking for what you deserve, stepping into the unfamiliar, leading with intention, or simply just showing up with a good attitude, these actions and principles can help guide young professionals into a fulfilling and impactful career. Take the leap. Trust your instincts. And, don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
Do you know a Rising Star? Nominate a young professional in your firm who exhibits great leadership and always goes above and beyond. Submit your Rising Stars nominations today, and recognize their accomplishments and hard work. Learn more here!
Mailena Urso is chief marketing officer at Zweig Group. Contact her at murso@zweiggroup.com.
