Failing Forward: How Professionals Navigated Career Bloopers

Ever tripped and fallen flat on your face? Embarrassing, right? But think about how you get back up, dust yourself off and keep moving. That’s what we mean by “failing forward.”

Growing up, you always assume that adults have it together and know what they’re doing. That they no longer make embarrassing mistakes or feel silly. But any adult can tell you this: every professional — from your favorite entrepreneur to your manager — has a backstory filled with rejection, mistakes and cringe-worthy career moments. But guess what? Those failures didn’t stop them in their tracks. They used them as lessons to figure out their next move. In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world of work, bouncing back from setbacks isn’t just a nice to have skill — it’s essential.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we understand the power of resilience. Our Life & Workforce Readiness programs help young people develop the curiosity, grit and determination they need to tackle their career journeys head-on. By teaching essential hard and soft skills while encouraging authenticity, we alleviate the pressure to appear perfect, while fostering genuine professional and personal growth. Through mentorship and career exploration, youth also hear personal, candid perspectives from adults in the workforce, helping build their confidence in their own ability to navigate mistakes and change.

Thanks to our national partners, Boys & Girls Clubs bring these programs to life every day at over 5,400 Boys & Girls Clubs. Hear from our partners about how they turned their career missteps into successes, and learn how you can do the same.

Bouncing Back: Learning from Mistakes

Everyone has a story about a big career hiccup — from the CEO to the newest class of interns. Whether it’s a project that tanked or a decision that backfired, these moments can feel like the end of the world. But they’re often the beginning of a journey toward something better. Learning from mistakes is a crucial part of this process.

Take Lorie Mills, Group Manager, Toyota Mobility Foundation, Toyota North America and Global Sustainability, for example. Early in her career, she learned a valuable lesson:

“I had just received my first significant promotion, and what I didn’t realize when being promoted and leading a team was that I had to be the one teaching others to perform the work better than I did it. Consequently, I found myself constantly trying to handle tasks that my team was dropping, as my sole focus was on achieving successful outcomes rather than allowing my team to learn from failure. I was working around the clock which took a toll on my health, and unfortunately, my team wasn’t actually learning how to improve.” She continues, “Now, when I speak with other leaders, I encourage them to prioritize the development of their team members and focus on what they’re learning. Innovation will naturally follow!”

According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s 2024 Youth Right Now Survey, 94% of Club teens feel they have the skills needed to be successful in a job. This confidence is built not only on technical abilities but also on the development of soft skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

Programs like diplomas2Degrees (d2D) help youth develop these crucial skills, making them better prepared to learn from setbacks and grow stronger from them. d2D guides Club members as they work toward high school graduation and prepare for post-secondary education and career success.

Turning “No” into Success

“No” can be a tough word to hear, especially when you’ve poured your heart into something. But sometimes, a “no” is just a “not yet” or a “try again.” Understanding that mistakes and learning go hand in hand is important.

Carla Deegan, Senior Director of Community Marketing at The Coca-Cola Company, recalled facing rejection: “Years ago, I applied for a marketing job I really wanted and felt well-prepared for, but I didn’t even get an interview. It was tough, but I realize now that had I gotten that job, I might not be in my current role.” She adds, “It’s hard when you don’t get what you want, but if you stay the course and keep growing, new opportunities will come. I’m now in my favorite role of my 25-year career, supporting communities through partnerships like the one with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.”

Carla’s story highlights how resilience and persistence can turn setbacks into opportunities. At Boys & Girls Clubs, we believe in equipping young people with the tools they need to navigate similar challenges. Our Life & Workforce Readiness programs, such as Money Matters, teach essential financial literacy and career planning skills, helping youth manage their setbacks and turn them into stepping stones for long-term success. In fact, 95% of 11th and 12th graders know what education or training they need for the career they want, and 90% know the costs to expect. This preparedness is essential for navigating and overcoming professional challenges.

Discovering Your Passion: Finding the Right Career Path

The road to career success isn’t always a straight line. Often, it’s about adapting to unexpected changes and discovering where your true passions lie.

Pete Stuart, Managing Director, Impact Strategy and Development at NASCAR, reflected on his experience: “Boys & Girls Clubs of America encourages youth to follow their passions and align career opportunities with their skills. I’ve been sports-obsessed ever since I was a little boy. At one point, it became apparent that I wasn’t going to be an NFL quarterback. But there was, in fact, opportunity in the form of an entire industry of professionals working behind the scenes to make sports happen. For more than 20 years, it’s never felt like work — because I followed what I enjoyed most.”

Programs like CareerLaunch at Boys & Girls Clubs of America are designed to help young people discover and pursue their interests, just as Pete did. Through mentorship, career exploration, and hands-on experiences, youth are guided to identify their strengths and align them with potential career paths. Whether they’re interested in sports, technology, the arts, or any other field, CareerLaunch helps them navigate the journey to finding a fulfilling and successful career.

Rising Stronger: Thriving After Failure

Bouncing back from a career challenge isn’t just about resilience — it’s about taking proactive steps to grow and improve. This is the essence of learning from failure and achieving success in a career.

How to deal with failure:

• Gather Insights: Actively seek feedback to understand areas for improvement. What could you do differently next time?
• Be Tenacious: Persist with your goals and ideas, even after facing rejection.
• Self-Improvement: Focus on personal and professional growth to enhance your capabilities.
• Stay Upbeat: Maintain a positive attitude and keep your motivation high.
• Find New Paths: Look for other opportunities that align with your goals.
• Reflect and Learn: Use each rejection as a learning experience to better yourself.

Your Path to Resilience Starts Here

Failure isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of something greater. At Boys & Girls Clubs, our Life & Workforce Readiness programs empower young people to turn setbacks into stepping stones toward success. Clubs don’t just prepare youth for their first job; they equip them with the skills and confidence to navigate a lifetime of opportunities, ensuring they are ready for whatever the future holds.