Let’s Get Down to Business to Defeat Career Challenges

by Aug 20, 2018

Guys, big news!

1: Disney is making a live action Mulan remake (albeit without Mushu OR Shang, which is a travesty), and 2: they have cast China’s Liu Yifei to take the leading role!

Liu Yifei as Mulan

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The film is slated to be released in March 2020, but to celebrate our first look at who will be playing Mulan, here are 5 pieces of career advice straight from the dragon’s mouth (so to speak).

Get outside of your comfort zone

Mulan shocked as she pours tea on the table

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Sometimes life is all about taking those risks – changing industries, running off to battle, starting your own company – whatever it is, if you’re passionate about something then it’s worth pursuing.

As long as you stay self-aware and true to your core motivations, then looking for career opportunities further afield can be super rewarding.

Be persistent

Mulan character pulling with effort

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Sometimes life is going to throw you a curveball and you might start feeling overwhelmed or close to giving up. But if you can just keep trying, keep working on improving and take every day as it comes, your goals can be totally achievable.

Be open to new skills and opportunities

Mulan character confidently pointing to himself

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The world of work is changing constantly, so being open to new skills and opportunities may prove pretty vital for your career success. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your industry will never change or that you know everything you’ll ever need to know. Change is happening all the time, and to keep up you’ll need to stay open and curious.

Follow your gut

Mulan cutting her hair with a sword

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If something doesn’t feel right, then it may mean it’s not right for you. If you’re studying and can’t even dredge up the memory of why you chose your major, or if you’re looking at your work week and just can’t find any joy in it, then it may be time for a change.

Have a chat to people whose opinions you trust, reach out to your uni, or chat with a careers consultant, and get back on track!

Don’t limit your dreams

Crowds bowing down to Mulan

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If you’ve got aspirations but there are people in your life who are telling you that you can’t do it, or that you just wouldn’t have the talent for it, then it’s time to leave them in the dust and start striving for that SUCCESS! Don’t limit yourself to others’ expectations, and start working towards those goals.

Don’t try to be someone that you’re not

Mulan singing as she looks at her reflection in the water

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You’re going to spend a large majority of your life in the workforce, so tying yourself to a job or career that you don’t enjoy and doesn’t fit with who you are is not a great move.

When you’re looking for a job or thinking about where your career is headed, do some self-reflection and make a list of all the things that are important to you when it comes to your future and career prospects. Then, each time you see a new job ad, see if  it ticks at least half of your requirements before applying.

Featured image courtesy of Twitter: @DisneyD23

By Mia Casey

By Mia Casey

Copywriter

Mia is a Sydney-based copywriter and content creator, who ran the UTS Careers Blog for five years since its conception in 2016.
 
Her freelance work focuses on branding development and helping companies create a cohesive identity narrative tailored for each of their platforms.
 
She enjoys piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.