Remember the New Millennial meeting with the SVP? Good News!

[b]Since I asked for (and followed) the advice of Mark and the MT community in November 2007, several great things have developed. Below is a brief recap and an update. For now, I'll just say: WOW! MY WORLD IS ROCKED![/b] [u][b]November 2007[/b][/u] I asked for advice on a “Career Development discussion with SVP” in this thread: [url]http://www.manager-tools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2316&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0[/url] [b]Cliff notes[/b] -I met with my SVP the discussion. -I received some coaching and adjusting feedback. (It took the wind out of my sails a bit) -We discussed a plan for my career -His recommendation: MBA now while in a job that I know and can do well, then international assignment. -My thoughts: I would prefer the opposite order, but I did “ask” for his advice and got it. After some thought, it does make sense and is not “stalling”. [u][b]December-May 2007[/b][/u] NOTHING. Just several months on solid hard work with focus on over-delivering his projects and improving the behaviors he mentioned. Also, I made my relationships with colleagues and clients a priority – focusing on quality of service, communication and their expectations. [b]In my spare time:[/b] -Visited MBA schools and classes -Started the process of getting my company’s corporate sponsorship of my MBA in writing -Started the application for my chosen school -Networked like never before! Stayed in touch with everyone and actively built my network with colleagues in our corporate headquarters (where I want to work for an international assignment) -Had 2 interviews with outside companies just to see [b]Thoughts:[/b] To be perfectly candid, during this time, I really questioned the path I was pursuing. If things would really happen. I doubted everything. Would the economy change our business situation substantially? Would they actually approve ~$90,000 for an MBA at my level? If they did, could I be patient and see everything through? I wasn’t sure, but figured I would get as many “irons” in the fire as possible and worst case scenario I would have to choose between 3 great options. -Option 1: stay in current job, get an MBA then do international assignment -Option 2: accept another job with a domestic company (and start all over with no promise of international assignment) -Option 3: accept an international assignment with another company (least likely) [u][b]June 2007[/b][/u] NOTHING, but I did spend 10 days in Europe working our booth during our industry’s largest international tradeshow. (I had done this 4 years before too). It was a great experience, I hated to leave. In my short time there, I personally caught up with most of my contacts. I was disappointed that I did not get to speak to our SVP of Global Marketing in particular (one of My SVP’s Bosses). While there, I made it a point to ask every Sr. Manager I know if they had any projects that “Man, if I just had someone fresh out of business school, I would love for them to work on xxxx...". No specifics projects came out of these conversations, but I felt they were good to have. Just to get them thinking. I returned to my job in the US. Followed up with everyone. Still NOTHING. until… [u][b]July 2007[/b][/u] My quarterly performance review is coming up. I do my preparation as usual and am anticipating a standard review with no career development opportunities. Not really looking forward to it, because I’m thinking nothing is ever going to happen and I am going to have to make some hard decisions. Perhaps the company is best served by keeping me in my current position. -My boss postpones the review. No problem, schedule conflict. -Later that day, my boss sends me a meeting request titled: Discuss career development opportunity. I’m shocked. He never does this. I am always the one bugging him on this subject. -I go to an MT meet-up that night. Share with everyone I’ve gotten to know over the last year. My thoughts are: I’m really curious but am “staying frosty”. I have no idea what the meeting is about, but I am keeping in mind the possibility that what may be offered won’t be the right FIT. -Next day: Great news! If we can find someone to do my job for 7 months, our Global SVP asked if I could come to Europe and replace the head of another group during that time. [b]Thoughts:[/b] I AM THRILLED. 7 months in Europe. Leaving just after my grad school interview. Coming back just in time to start grad school (if I get in). WOW! MY WORLD IS ROCKED! [u][b]Why did I post this?[/b][/u] I’m not sure things would have worked out this way without Manager-Tools. For the last 2 hours, I have been trying to find the right words to express my gratitude for everything MT has taught me. I am speechless and continue to be astounded by the effects MT has on my life. THANK YOU. p.s. I am a long-time member (and premium subscriber) who posts under a different name for anonymity.