288: Learn To Be Useful and Gain Mastery In Your Area Of Expertise with Scott Turman

<p>In this week’s show, Phil talks to Scott Turman, who has developed software and cryptographic systems over the last 25 years for some pretty big organisations such as NASA, Disney, Hilton and the US Department of Defence.</p> <p> </p> <p>He is the founder of BrightRay Consulting which is a staffing and software solutions company that he formed 6 years ago.</p> <p> </p> <p>Scott talks to Phil about making sure we achieve the worth for which we have worked by being as useful as possible and developing skills. He also discusses why we must gain mastery over our area of expertise.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>KEY TAKEAWAYS:</strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>TOP CAREER TIP</strong></p> <p>Learn to be as useful as you can, and find an organization that will pay your fairly for the skills you can perform.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>WORST CAREER MOMENT</strong></p> <p>Scott was interviewed by someone he looked up to, and failed during the last stages of the interview. If successful, he would have gone to work for Microsoft.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>CAREER HIGHLIGHT</strong></p> <p>Scott achieved a position at NASA – his dream job. NASA’s legacy runs deep in Scott’s family, so to win a position there was a lifelong ambition.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T</strong></p> <p>IT in the past was not an agile sector. Ideas remained so until backing and technological development could be resourced. Nowadays, people can bring ideas t life on their own.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>THE REVEAL</strong></p> <p><strong>What first attracted you to a career in I.T.?</strong> – Scott’s Atari 400 and other early computers. Scott’s father encouraged simulations and other technical pursuits.</p> <p><strong>What’s the best career advice you received?</strong> – No matter what they offer you, always ask for more.</p> <p><strong>What’s the worst career advice you received?</strong> – To stay out of the fray and under the radar. There’s no better way to be fired first than to offer the least amount of value.</p> <p><s