My Executive
Assistant at ICM HQ, Tracy Carter, is also responsible for driving our social
media strategy and activity. Last week she started a discussion on LinkedIn
that has generated a riveting discussion. The question she posed was: "I
had an interesting conversation with my 13 year old nephew about choosing a
career, and he asked me if a career in credit management would be good and if
it is important? How would you answer?"
There have
been plenty of long-standing credit professionals like me saying what a
brilliant career credit management is. They have highlighted positive aspects
of the profession such as the variety it brings, the different skills it
develops, the fact that it touches every part of the business, and delivers
real value in many ways.
Some,
including much younger contributors than me I'm pleased to say, have recognised
that the role will become more strategic and less operational as technology
continues to change the way we work. Others have stressed the need for personal
and professional development as a way of building what is an interesting and
satisfying job into a real career.
As with all
discussion forums, the debate deviates from the original question and there is
some disagreement, but the divergence of views adds to the vibrancy of the
thread and I'm pleased to note that the underlying mood has remained positive.
It should do so because many of the very senior people in credit I know could
vouch for the career prospects as they have reached the top of their chosen
profession and become key players within their own businesses.
As I write
these words, I'm preparing for the latest quarterly meeting of the ICM Credit
Industry Think Tank, the participants on which are all a testament to the
opportunities afforded by credit management as a profession. Credit management
is a dynamic and thriving profession and Tracy's nephew can be assured that it
would be a good career choice. But let's not kid him. The reality is that it
will be down to him to take hold of the opportunity with both hands and make
the most of it. As one of the contributors to the LinkedIn discussion said:
"....each individual is responsible for their own destiny."
No comments:
Post a Comment