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iQuestions Faculty, Pat Gelsinger 
 
 
Question: 
 
What are the most important steps one can take in moving up the 
proverbial corporate ladder? 
 
Answer:  
 
As one begins their career and starts in the workplace, you’re always 
concerned about “how do I advance? How can I be successful?” 
 
Well, a couple of thoughts. One is the first thing, and the most 
important thing in any assignment that you have: do a great a job for 
the job that you have today. You may not like your boss, the job may 
not be quite what you’re looking for, but the first rule is give it your 
absolute best and be the best employee you can in the job you have 
today. 
 
Second thought, think carefully about what you want to do next—
“What is that job that you would like to advance to?”—and then start 
today to work on the skills that will prepare you for that next 
assignment. Is it things that you read? Maybe it’s classes you need to 
take and study. Maybe it’s some extra assignments that you need to 
take on in the job that you’re doing today that will better position you 
for that next assignment, and then eventually you’ll be ready to move 
into that next position. 
 
Finally, I recommend people to have mentors: people who are ready 
to invest in your life; people who aren’t impressed with you, but they 
simply want to help you be better, and they can watch you and then 
encourage you, and point out those areas of weakness, and help to 
mature you and prepare you for a long-term career of success and 
 
accomplishment in whatever assignment in whatever field of work that 
you might be in.  
Gelsinger -2- 
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