In an era where artificial intelligence streamlines industries and entry-level positions seem to vanish, Gen Z graduates face a daunting job market. The frustration is palpable, with many sending hundreds of applications into the void. This landscape of uncertainty, however, is precisely what seasoned political commentator and Fox News co-host Dana Perino understands intimately. Her message to the graduating class of today is clear, concise, and refreshingly pragmatic: stop waiting for the perfect job and just start working.
The Winding Road to Success: Perino’s Own Journey
Before her prominent role as Press Secretary to President George W. Bush and later as a co-host on Fox News’ “The Five,” Perino’s career trajectory was anything but a straight line. She navigated diverse fields, from journalism and Capitol Hill politics to public relations and even late-night college radio DJ shifts. This varied experience shaped her core belief: an over-engineered master plan can blind you to immediate opportunities.
“People look back on their careers and go: ‘Wow it wasn’t a straight line,’” Perino shared with Fortune. “If I had planned out my whole life, my life wouldn’t have been my life.” Initially skeptical of the common wisdom that passion and pay eventually align, her own journey proved otherwise. A pivotal piece of advice she received—”Pick the one thing you love to do and do that—and the salary will follow”—eventually resonated. “Once I focused and stopped trying to do everything, all the other opportunities came at the right time,” she reflects.
Just Start Working: The Antidote to Paralysis
This perspective underpins Perino’s advice for today’s anxious young workers. The quest for the ideal role, employer, or salary can lead to stagnation. Her counsel is direct: “Just start working—wherever it is. It doesn’t mean you have to stay there for two years.” The emphasis is on gaining experience, any experience, rather than remaining idle in pursuit of an elusive dream job.
Networking: Gen Z’s Untapped Superpower
Cultivating Connections Beyond the Screen
Perino stresses that every job, no matter how seemingly unrelated to a long-term career goal, offers opportunities for growth and networking. Even a role like bartending can be a stepping stone. At Fox, she actively encourages entry-level staff to engage with new people they encounter, whether in an elevator or the green room.
“Ask them: ‘So what brought you here? What was your big break? What would you look back and say what made the difference in your life?’ And just ask people for their story or their advice,” Perino advises. She notes that many professionals are eager to help, provided you show genuine curiosity.
The Art of Sustained Engagement
However, fleeting curiosity isn’t enough. Lasting networks demand maintenance. Perino highlights the common pitfall of professionals dropping contact once an immediate need passes. A simple, periodic update—a message every six months sharing a life or career development—can significantly strengthen a relationship. Reaching out only when you need something is a sure way to erode trust and future assistance.
“If somebody goes out of their way to help you, or maybe they put in a good word for you, and even if it doesn’t work out, always be following up, because they’re more likely to help you again,” Perino told Fortune. “If you don’t—take it from me—there’s very little chance that I put myself out there for you again.” This intentional approach to relationship-building is particularly crucial for young workers, especially given a recent LinkedIn survey revealing that one in five Gen Z workers hadn’t had a direct conversation with someone over 50 in their workplace in the past year, partly due to generational interaction anxieties.
Passing on the Flame: The Power of Mentorship
Scaling Guidance for the Next Generation
As only the second woman to hold the Press Secretary position (and the first for a Republican president), Perino found herself a magnet for young women seeking career advice. Recognizing the overwhelming demand, she innovated. Her “Minute Mentoring” events, designed like speed-dating, connected dozens of aspiring professionals with mentors, providing invaluable access and guidance in a scalable format.
This initiative underscored the profound hunger for mentorship among early-career individuals and the impact even brief, meaningful interactions can have. Perino also emphasizes the importance of being candid about the less glamorous, yet often crucial, career decisions, such as relocating for opportunities.
“I would try to encourage people don’t be afraid to move,” Perino said. “When I lived in D.C. and New York, people are afraid to leave. They don’t want to leave here, but sometimes you have to leave here and go get some experience somewhere else so that you can come back at a higher level.”
Stay Alert, Keep Learning
At the heart of Perino’s philosophy is a constant state of readiness. “You have to be having eyes and ears open at all times—always be learning and to take advantage of opportunities when they come,” she concludes. For Gen Z navigating a complex world, this advice offers a powerful roadmap: embrace the journey, build genuine connections, and seize every chance to learn and grow, even if it’s not the ‘perfect’ path.
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