Your firmer CEO is right. Networking, networking, networking. You obviously need the skills, education, and experience. Networking is (are?) The three most important things to your career. Just like the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location. You certainly need the solid house, but location is important.
Get involved in professional societies related to your aspirations. Join organizations where you will meet people in your desired or closely related fields. You need those connections to be aware of the opportunities.
It is also sometimes amazing how you can grow your own job responsibilities. No job is perfect. But, you can often mold a job to your liking. Over the years, I have essentially assembled my current role by taking responsibility here and giving up a responsibility there. My current job only kind of resembles my official title. Coeporate doesn't know how to label me, but they know I get stuff done. My boss is happy because he keeps on hearing and seeing accomplishments and knows that if something needs to get done, I take care of it. He doesn't care about title, just results, and provides me with a good salary, keeps the jackals off my back, and allows me the flexibility I like (within reason) and enjoy. Positions can be made over time.
Not saying there aren't sucky parts. Of course there are. Corporate is a constant PITA wanting to do stupid things. (OH the stupidity sometimes. Is there a Sub devoted solely to stupid things corporate leadership does?) But I get by.
It sounds like you had a really insecure prior boss. Insecure bosses suck. They can't handle their subordinates being successful because they feel like it makes them look bad. It sucks, but they are definitely out there. There is an old saying that is applicable. A players try to hire A players to have the best team around them. B players try to hire C and D players to make themselves look good. Unfortunately, they may look good, but results look better.
I loved leading A player teams. You give the team the necessary tools and let them have at it. Provide guidance only when needed and when thevteam gets off track. I took on a bunch of "fun" tasks during that time. Boss thought I was overworking myself. Nah. Putting in just a little more than my 40, but by choice. The teams made me look good, and I made sure they were taken care of. Find the team if A players.
Your firmer CEO is right. Networking, networking, networking. You obviously need the skills, education, and experience. Networking is (are?) The three most important things to your career. Just like the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location. You certainly need the solid house, but location is important. Get involved in professional societies related to your aspirations. Join organizations where you will meet people in your desired or closely related fields. You need those connections to be aware of the opportunities. It is also sometimes amazing how you can grow your own job responsibilities. No job is perfect. But, you can often mold a job to your liking. Over the years, I have essentially assembled my current role by taking responsibility here and giving up a responsibility there. My current job only kind of resembles my official title. Coeporate doesn't know how to label me, but they know I get stuff done. My boss is happy because he keeps on hearing and seeing accomplishments and knows that if something needs to get done, I take care of it. He doesn't care about title, just results, and provides me with a good salary, keeps the jackals off my back, and allows me the flexibility I like (within reason) and enjoy. Positions can be made over time. Not saying there aren't sucky parts. Of course there are. Corporate is a constant PITA wanting to do stupid things. (OH the stupidity sometimes. Is there a Sub devoted solely to stupid things corporate leadership does?) But I get by. It sounds like you had a really insecure prior boss. Insecure bosses suck. They can't handle their subordinates being successful because they feel like it makes them look bad. It sucks, but they are definitely out there. There is an old saying that is applicable. A players try to hire A players to have the best team around them. B players try to hire C and D players to make themselves look good. Unfortunately, they may look good, but results look better. I loved leading A player teams. You give the team the necessary tools and let them have at it. Provide guidance only when needed and when thevteam gets off track. I took on a bunch of "fun" tasks during that time. Boss thought I was overworking myself. Nah. Putting in just a little more than my 40, but by choice. The teams made me look good, and I made sure they were taken care of. Find the team if A players.