1. Meet your deadlines.

Agweek is a weekly publication with timelines necessary to meet press deadlines in order for the paper to get out on time. Today, it is still extremely important to stay on task in order to meet the deadlines as I juggle several projects.

2. With any first job, a person is young and inexperienced.

I learned to accept constructive criticism to grow and develop my skills. My co-workers and supervisors were great to work with and provided me with many opportunities to learn and grow.

3. Smile.

People who are upbeat about the day are contagious. It is easy to be excited about the day when the people you work with are fun and welcoming.

4. Get involved.

When I moved to Grand Forks, I didn’t know anyone in the community. You have to be outgoing and introduce yourself to others, join organizations and get involved.

5. Follow through on tasks to completion.

Just because your shift is over or it is 5 p.m., doesn’t mean you have to be done. Finish your tasks so you can feel good about what you have accomplished during the day.

6. Be creative.

There are many ways to complete tasks. Think outside the box and look for new and creative ways to work on projects.

7. Strive to be the best you.

In everything you do, do the best that you can. If tasked with a complex project, break it down into smaller tasks and tackle them first.

8. Show up.

Whether it is work or play, show up and be in the moment.

9. Love what you do.

Find the joy in what you have been tasked to do. I particularly enjoyed writing feature stories. The interviewing process allowed me the opportunity to grow and expand my worldview. People are creative and can travel many paths to accomplish the same goal.

10. Success is 90% attitude and 10% aptitude.

Like many of the above things I learned, this statement sums it up. Even today, when interviewing career applicants, we look for attitude. For the most part, we can teach/coach aptitude. But applicants need to have the right attitude to fit into our culture.