How do you know you are made for the industry?

A third reason may be that you know there is something better out there, but this is what you studied for, so it must be it, right?

I have had this discussion with friends in my marketing and communications circles and some share comments that make me think: "You definitely should not be there" and some where I think "You definitely should stick around". What differentiates the two?

You definitely should not be there:

1. You thrive on passion. Passion is acquired from continuously doing good in something, not from what you think you like the most. "Friend, I love strategy, that is my passion." Really?
   
2. You treasure your "life" more than the work. Work is not a job, it does not shut down after 5pm and begin again at 8am on the dot. Work aims to improve your life, and the life of others, even through small and unappreciated gestures.
   
3. You actually do not know why you are working where you are working. Fact is: you are a commodity at your work place. You add value to at least one person's job (if you do your job accurately) and that is worth something to the bank balance. If you do not harness your value within your workplace, go on a boat cruise and come back when you are tired of soaking the sun.
   

You definitely should stick around:

1. You overlook passion. This does not mean you should adopt ADHD by the way. Passion sleeps when it is not excelling, it forgets where the goal posts are when there is no love involved. ADD doesn't. Get the point?
   
2. Sacrifice. You understand that things take time (not all things), but those you really want and need to get your career built. You understand that you want skills out of a job and not a position. We all know 'position holders' who actually know zwap - so why aim for that chair?
   
3. You treasure growth. Growth is moving along with the times, adapting to changing industries, embracing new challenges and excelling. All this comes back to you. If you focus all your energy on making coffee, you will be known and trusted for that.
   

If you are good at exercising your opinion and ideas - guess what? This is tailored specifically for young'uns in the marketing and communications industry. This industry is about the product or the people. And these two things are things that change.

You need to be comfortable with change because it keeps you on your toes and without it, you are not growing. It is not easy to deal with change all the time, but if you are the "stick around type" you will make it through.