Monica Higgins of Harvard has developed an interesting theory called "Career Imprints" that she expounds on in a forthcoming book called Career Imprints: Creating Leaders Across an Industry. The power in her theory is in it's simplicity.

From an article today in HBR's Working Knowledge:

The strength of career imprinting depends upon both the people a firm hires as well as an organization's environment (factors having to do with people and place). Regarding place, for example, organizations with a strong corporate culture that hire in cohorts are more likely to have strong organizational career imprints. These two factors socially reinforce the kinds of capabilities, connections, confidence, and cognition that people pick up; they enhance the commonality among peoples' experiences and so, strengthen an organization's career imprint.

While the article covers it, I think that it's critical for college aged, first career move bound students to consider the options before then as they choose a first employer. Consider what you want to be known for, your personal brand, if you will. The imprints that your first employers make on you are critical to your career trajectory.

Couldn't agree more Dana. Many believe your first job is just a job. I disagree with them, are you on your way or just doing?

Cheers.

glad you wrote this. it reassured me a bit that i'm doing the right thing. my title is in sales, but we're in bad need of marketing overhaul. i'm starting to undertake this myself.