In a world where professional paths can often feel predetermined, Dr. Michelle Prince’s conversation on Tech on Tap brings a fresh and authentic perspective. Her career began in HR when it was still called “personnel,” and her path has been shaped by curiosity, intentional decisions, and a drive to keep evolving. Throughout her journey, one belief has remained central: your career is your responsibility to shape.
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR GROWTH
Dr. Prince made it clear that she never waited around for promotions or opportunities to appear. Instead, she took the initiative to pursue roles that aligned with her goals and pushed her beyond her comfort zone. By choosing growth and taking on diverse responsibilities—including roles outside of HR—she positioned herself for leadership and played a key role in transformational change efforts.
Her story reminds us that it’s easy to fall into the routine of simply doing the job at hand. But real progress starts by asking a fundamental question: What do I truly want next? That kind of self-reflection is where momentum begins.
ALIGN YOUR WORK WITH YOUR LIFE
Rather than chasing the idea of work-life balance, Dr. Prince advocates for something deeper: work-life alignment. Instead of viewing work and life as opposing forces that need constant juggling, she encourages professionals to find ways for their careers and personal values to support each other.
This message resonates with anyone who feels drained by a job that lacks meaning. Her advice is simple—pay attention to what excites and energizes you. If your current role feels disconnected from your values or growth, it may be time to explore new possibilities.
REDEFINE YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
Dr. Prince introduced a powerful concept called the “encore career.” Traditionally associated with retirement, this idea focuses on designing a second phase of work that is driven by purpose rather than title. Increasingly, professionals are embracing this idea through consulting, mentoring, or starting new ventures instead of stepping away from work completely.
However, she believes this mindset can be applied at any stage of a career. Regularly asking yourself whether your work still fulfills you can lead to small but significant changes. You don’t have to wait until retirement to reimagine what your career could become.
MAKE NETWORKING A CONSISTENT HABIT
To Dr. Prince, networking is not just a job search tactic. It is a continuous way of staying connected to people, ideas, and new opportunities. She encourages professionals to approach networking as a long-term practice rather than a short-term fix.
Her guidance is practical—keep your LinkedIn profile current, engage with your industry, and look for ways to stay in touch with your network. When you treat networking as a genuine effort to learn and connect, it feels more natural and less transactional.
WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM DR. PRINCE
Dr. Prince’s story is a compelling reminder that careers do not unfold by chance. They are shaped through clarity, reflection, and deliberate choices. Her insights are valuable whether you’re launching your career, navigating a transition, or planning your next big move.
KEY TAKEAWAYS INCLUDE:
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- Be intentional and proactive about your career direction.
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- Seek alignment between your work and your personal values.
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- Stay open to redefining your path at any point.
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- Make networking part of your routine, not just a fallback.
Most importantly, remember that feeling stuck is not permanent. If something no longer fits, it’s perfectly okay to make a change. The next step is yours to define!
Listen to Michelle Prince’s full podcast episode here!
