“How old are you?”

That’s probably the question I always hear right before: “Where did you go to school?” or “How long have you been doing this?”
They say you never ask a lady her age but, being a young professional, it’s almost inevitable that the subject of age will come up at least once in a conversation. I’ve actually begun to anticipate it. This is something I’ve felt even as a Spa Consultant at my Planet Beach location. I always had to be twice as sharp with my product and service knowledge so I could have credibility with my clients who were older than myself. I’ve never felt that being a young professional is a negative thing, nor it being brought up by those with whom I work. I view it as both a challenge and a gift.

The challenge has always been made clear in the most elegant ways. Experience, or lack thereof. Not just the professional experiences that come from moments of success or failure but life experiences. You know, the things that force you to jump further outside of your comfort zone than you could even see. The obstacles that make the “unsolvable” problems of your youth look like a blip on the grand scale.

The gift? The experiences of others who have succeeded, and failed, before me; who take pride in my success. To log the hours and days that experienced, successful professionals have invested in my growth would probably take just as long. The personal stories of the failed first startup company, the poor fashion choice or the time when giving up was the last option. People don’t just share for the sake of hearing their voice. They share because they want to help you grow. The wisdom and insight that professionals, friends and family have shared with me have allowed me the benefit of looking at a life that’s reachable based on my hard work, dedication, studying and consistency.

Remember: you’re not just young. You’re a professional. Be confident in the fact that you have a wealth of knowledge to bring to the table. Your experiences shape you and impact your professional development. Be sure to take time to invest in yourself as well. Not just professionally, but with your life experiences. Don’t ever hold yourself back from learning a language, seeing a new country or even something as small as sharing a new perspective. How do you think the student becomes the teacher?

I’d love to hear how you learned or grew in your professional life. Leave me a comment below.