Have you ever tripped and gotten flat on your face? It’s embarrassing, isn’t it? But figure out how to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving. That’s what it means to “fail.”
When you grow up, you always assume that adults are with you and know what they’re doing. They will no longer make embarrassing mistakes or feel stupid. But any adult can tell you this. From your favorite entrepreneurs to managers, every professional has a backstory full of rejections, mistakes, and cringeworthy moments in their career. But guess what? Those failures didn’t stop them. They used it as a lesson to consider their next move. In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world of work, bouncing back from setbacks isn’t just a skill to have, it’s essential.
At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we understand the power of resilience. Our Life & Workforce Readiness program helps young people develop the curiosity, grit and determination they need to tackle their career journey head-on. By teaching important hard and soft skills while encouraging authenticity, we reduce the pressure to look perfect and foster true professional and personal growth. Through mentorship and career exploration, youth can also hear personal and honest perspectives from working adults, which can help build confidence in their ability to overcome mistakes and change.
Thanks to our national partners, Boys & Girls Clubs implements these programs in more than 5,400 Boys & Girls Clubs every day. Hear from our partners about how they turned career failure into success, and learn how you can do the same.
Recover: Learn from your mistakes
Everyone from the CEO to the newest class of interns has a story about the big question in their career. Whether a project fails or a decision backfires, such moments can feel like the end of the world. But they are often the beginning of a journey towards something better. Learning from mistakes is an important part of this process.
Take, for example, Rory Mills, Group Manager, Toyota Global Sustainability, Toyota Mobility Foundation, North America. Early in her career, she learned a valuable lesson:
“I had just received my first significant promotion, but what I didn’t realize when I got promoted and led my team was that I had to be the one teaching others to do their jobs better than I could.” As a result, I was focused on achieving successful outcomes rather than helping my team learn from mistakes, and I was constantly trying to catch up on tasks that my team was missing. I realized that I was working around the clock and it was taking a toll on my health, and unfortunately my team wasn’t really learning how to improve.” “When I speak to other leaders now, I encourage them to prioritize the growth of their team members and focus on what they are learning. Innovation will come naturally!”
According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2024 Youth Right Now survey, 94% of club teens feel they have the skills they need to succeed at work. This confidence is built not only through technical abilities, but also through the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving.
Programs like Diplomas2Degrees (d2D) help youth develop these important skills, preparing them to learn from setbacks and grow stronger from them. d2D guides club members as they work toward high school graduation and prepare for higher education and career success.
Turn “no” into success
“No” is a difficult word to hear, especially when you’re passionate about something. But sometimes “no” is just “not yet” or “try again.” It’s important to understand that mistakes and learning go hand in hand.
Carla Deegan, senior director of community marketing for The Coca-Cola Company, recalls facing rejection: It was tough, but I now realize that if I had taken that job, I might not have gotten the job I have now. She added, “It’s hard when you don’t get what you want, but if you continue down this path and continue to grow, new opportunities will come your way.” This is my favorite role in my 25-year career, supporting the community through partnerships.”
Carla’s story highlights how resilience and persistence can turn setbacks into opportunities. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we believe in giving young people the tools they need to overcome similar challenges. Our Life & Workforce Readiness programs, such as Money Matters, teach critical financial literacy and career planning skills, helping young people manage setbacks and turn them into stepping stones to long-term success. In fact, 95% of 11th and 12th grade students know the education and training required for their desired career, and 90% know the expected costs. This preparation is essential to meeting and overcoming professional challenges.
Discover your passion: find the right career path
The path to career success isn’t always a straight line. It’s often about adapting to unexpected changes and discovering where your true passion lies.
Pete Stewart, NASCAR’s Managing Director of Impact Strategy and Development, reflects on his experience: I’ve been into sports since I was little. At some point, it became clear that I wasn’t going to be an NFL quarterback. But in reality, the opportunity was there in the form of an entire industry working behind the scenes to make the sport happen. For over 20 years, I’ve been pursuing what I enjoy the most, so it’s never felt like work. ”
Programs like Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s CareerLaunch are designed to help young people discover and pursue their interests, just like Pete. Through mentorship, career exploration, and hands-on experience, youth can identify their strengths and align with potential career paths. Whether you’re interested in sports, technology, the arts, or any other field, CareerLaunch can help you navigate the path to finding a fulfilling and successful career.
Rise stronger: Grow even when you fail
Bouncing back from career challenges requires more than just resilience, it requires taking active steps to grow and improve. This is the essence of learning from mistakes and achieving success in your career.
How to deal with failure:
Gather insights: Actively seek feedback to understand areas for improvement. What will be different next time? Be persistent: Hold on to your goals and ideas even after rejection. Self-improvement: Focus on personal and professional growth to improve your abilities. Stay Positive: Stay positive and stay motivated. Find new paths: Look for other opportunities that align with your goals. Reflect and learn: Use every rejection as a learning experience to improve yourself.
The road to resilience starts here
Failure is not the end, but the beginning of something bigger. Boys & Girls Clubs helps young people turn setbacks into successes with our Life & Workforce Readiness program. Clubs do more than just prepare youth for their first jobs. They will develop the skills and confidence to navigate lifelong opportunities, ensuring they are prepared for whatever the future may bring.
Nearly 25 million children and teens lack access to after-school programs that support the development of skills essential to future success.
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