'Focus On Doing, Not Being': Career Advice By Obama To Ex-Speechwriter, First Indian-American In The Position

If you are employed by the President of the United States, chances are you are on the right career path. But if the President personally offers you career advice, then you better pay heed and lap it all up. Aneesh Raman, who served as a speechwriter for President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2013, received crucial career advice from the president himself, and he still stands by it today.

Think about your work's impact, and not the title

"Worry about what you want to do, not who you want to be."

This is the guidance Obama would often share with Aneesh Raman, as he tells CNBC Make It.

Aneesh Raman with Barrack Obama/ Wikipedia

Expanding on this, Aneesh explains that instead of focusing on your desired job title, think about the difference you want to create with your work and the abilities you will need to achieve it. Then, consider if certain jobs or employers will help you develop those skills to reach your goals.

Have distinct learning phases in your career

Raman, who currently holds the position of vice president and workforce expert at LinkedIn, emphasises that this advice holds particular significance for young professionals today, given the potential for them to eventually occupy positions that have not yet been conceived.

Aneesh Raman/ Wikipedia

Raman thus suggests a strategic approach to career development, advocating for distinct learning phases to ensure sustained professional growth:

Ages 20 to 35: Focus on honing core skills aligned with your passions, strengths, and areas for improvement.

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Ages 35 to 45: Leverage your unique skill set to address specialised issues or topics of expertise, whether within a specific industry such as healthcare or in broader realms like economic opportunity, as exemplified by Raman's own expertise.

Age 45 and beyond: Reflect on the impact you aspire to have both within your organisation and in the broader world, considering how to leverage your accumulated experience for maximum effect.

Raman explains that this is the safest way to progress in your career because you have control over your skills and expertise, unlike job titles.

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