Seven Lessons From 39 Years in Print

This year’s celebration of Women’s History Month gave me a reason to pause and reflect on my 39-year career in the printing industry. Reflection feels natural at this stage of my career — when the road behind me is longer than the road ahead and I’ve made enough mistakes to earn a little wisdom.

That reflection has led me to ask myself some honest questions: Did I make the most of my career? Could I have done better? What would I change? I don’t always have clear answers. But there is one question I can answer with confidence: What advice would I give my younger self?

So, in the spirit of sharing — and maybe helping someone else along the way — here are seven things I would tell my younger self.

1. Focus on the goal.

There will always be obstacles. There will always be people who underestimate you, distract you, or make you question whether it’s worth the effort. Stay focused on the outcome. The goal is bigger than the noise. Persistence pays off over time.

2. Don’t let others squash your enthusiasm.

Not everyone will share your energy or vision. Some may even try to temper it. Protect your enthusiasm. It’s one of your greatest assets. Passion gives you staying power — and staying power builds careers.

3. Remain teachable.

I don’t naturally love change, and we work in an industry that reinvents itself constantly. Early in my career, supervisors encouraged me to adopt new processes and approaches that would improve my work. Instead of embracing those changes, I resisted them… until I didn’t have a choice.

They were right.

Looking back, I’m grateful for those moments. They taught me that growth requires openness. I don’t know everything, and I don’t need to. Staying curious and willing to learn has been one of the most powerful career advantages I’ve gained.

4. Don’t let others define who you are or what you’re capable of.

When I entered the printing industry nearly four decades ago, it was not always an easy place for women to build careers. There were moments when I felt I had to work harder to be heard or taken seriously (and sometimes I still feel that way). But those experiences didn’t deter me; they sharpened me.

There were also times managers told me I wasn’t ready, that my skill set wasn’t strong enough, or that maybe someday I’d be good enough. I’ve also had people tell me how much more they knew than I did — assessments offered without being asked and often without fully understanding what I brought to the table.

At first, that kind of feedback can be crushing. But instead of accepting those labels, I chose to improve where improvement was needed and ignore what wasn’t true. Over time, I was given opportunities to prove those early assessments wrong.

I learned this: I know my work ethic. I know my passion. I know my commitment to doing good work. I am willing to grow. I don’t need someone else to tell me who I am. I know.

5. Don’t wait to be asked.

I started my career as a journalist covering the printing industry. I wanted to write feature stories, but established writers already owned the major beats. So I pitched new ideas. I asked for the assignments.

My editor said yes; that changed everything. Apparently, asking works.

Early on, I didn’t wait for opportunities; I created them. Somewhere along the way, I got off track and started believing I needed to wait to be tapped for the next step. It took time to unlearn that. Eventually, I realized it’s not only okay to ask for advancement — it’s necessary. Advocate for yourself. No one will champion your career more consistently than you.

I would also tell my younger self to be more confident negotiating compensation. Early in my career, I focused on doing good work and hoped the rewards would follow. Sometimes they did — but I learned that advocating for your value is part of the job.

6. You are responsible for your own career success and happiness.

Organizations change. Leadership changes. Industries evolve. I would tell my younger self: Take an active role in shaping your own path.

If you want to grow, you have to invest in yourself. I went back to school at night and earned my MBA. It took six years while working full time. It wasn’t easy. It required sacrifice. But I knew if I wanted more opportunities, I had to prepare myself for them.

Take ownership. Be proactive. Build the skills you’ll need for the next chapter even before anyone asks you to.

7. You are stronger than you know.

Life will throw some heavy things your way, professionally and personally. I’ve navigated unexpected career transitions, raised children on my own, and endured unimaginable loss. None of those chapters were easy. But they built a resilience I didn’t know I possessed.

Eight years ago — nearly three decades into my career — I became a marathon runner. That’s something my younger self would never have predicted. Training for 26.2 miles reinforced what life had already been teaching me: Strength is built over time. Some miles are smooth. Others test everything in you. But you keep moving forward.

Careers — and life — are marathons, not sprints. You are capable of far more than you realize.

A Final Reflection

Thirty-nine years ago, I couldn’t have predicted the path my career would take. It hasn’t been perfect, but it has been meaningful. And if there’s one overarching lesson, it’s this: Progress matters more than perfection.

If any of these lessons resonate with you — whether you’re just starting out or decades in — I hope they serve as a reminder that your career is a long game. Stay focused. Stay curious. Stay bold. And trust that you are far more capable than you realize.