Throughout the month of April, we’ve featured finalists from The Daily Muse‘s first-ever essay contest on the topic: “The Biggest Mistake I Made at My First Job—and What I Learned From It.”
We were blown away by the entries, and narrowed them down to six amazing finalists. Now, we need your help in picking the first place winner, who will have his or her article featured on Forbes!
Check out the finalists and read their essays below, then vote for your favorite. (Voting ends on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 6 PM EDT. One vote per person, please!)
Vote Now
Michaella Gallina
I Did What I Could to Survive, Not Thrive
At her first job at a cutthroat investment bank, this finalist was overworked, exhausted, and doing what it took to stay afloat. Read on for what she missed while keeping her nose to the grindstone.
Lisa Eisenstadt
I Stayed in a Job That Was Starving My Soul
Knowing you’re not in the right job and taking the steps to make a change are two vastly different things. Read how a foggy morning traffic jam and a lot of courage helped this finalist take the leap to a new career.
Dolores Seright
I Left the Safe Unlocked
This finalist will never forget the mistake she made at her first job, but she’ll also remember some important lessons about accepting responsibility, trusting others, and giving people another chance.
Greg McFarlane
The British Columbia Chainsaw Massacre
At 17 years old, working on the grounds crew at a private golf course, this finalist made a huge mistake. Yes, with a chainsaw. Read on to see what happened, and what he learned from it.
Laura Katen
I Jumped in Too Fast
Our fifth essay contest finalist jumped in too fast into entrepreneurship. Here’s what that mistake taught her, and how she’s used it to build her successful business.
Sarah Hill
I Didn’t Ask for More
She worked hard, took on more work, and did everything right, except for asking for the promotion or raise she deserved. Here’s how this finalist realized her mistake, and what she did to change course.
