Confused About Your Career in Your 20s? Build Clarity, Confidence, and Get Ahead Fast

Feeling stuck or unsure about your career path in your 20s? 

You’re not alone—and this episode of Thrive Careers Podcast is here to help you gain clarity without the pressure.

Career coach Olajumoke Fatoki teams up with Brianne Rush, VP of Operations and founder of The Independence Lab, to share a proven framework that helps Gen Z professionals stand out, get promoted, and build confidence in a competitive job market.

In this episode, you’ll discover how to:

• Use emotional intelligence (EQ) to land jobs and get ahead
• Build your personal brand without years of experience
• Navigate office politics and self-advocate with confidence
• Leverage hidden strengths for real advancement
• Apply Brianne’s EQ5 Success Method to thrive in any role

Bonus Gift: Get Brianne’s EQ5 Playbook ($19 value) FREE — Download Here

Don’t forget to follow and subscribe for weekly episodes packed with career advice, job search strategies, and personal branding tips designed for the modern professional.

Support the Show: If this episode helped you, vote for Thrive Careers Podcast in the Women Podcasters Awards (Careers Category) — Cast Your Vote

#CareerAdvice #GenZJobs #ThriveInYour20s #EmotionalIntelligence #ProfessionalGrowth #JobSearchTips

Transcript

Olajumoke Fatoki (00:03.566): Hey.

Olajumoke Fatoki (01:07.278): Hello everyone and welcome to this week's exciting edition of the Thrive Careers Podcast. Today we're diving into a topic that often gets overlooked — navigating the workplace as a Gen Z professional.

There's so much said about Gen Z, but not enough is being done to support them — to help them find their footing and thrive at work. That's what this episode is all about. Joining me is Brianne Rush, and she'll introduce herself in just a moment.

Brianne Rush (01:53.120): Thank you so much for having me. I'm really excited to be here because, like you said, there's a lack of guidance for young professionals entering the workforce. It was the same for me — tons of opportunity, but very little clarity on how to seize it.

I created The Independence Lab to help fill that gap. It’s a hub where young people can learn to build a strong foundation in their personal, professional, and financial lives. So thank you for having me.

Olajumoke Fatoki (02:45.589): Amazing. I love what you're doing. So we always start the show with a fun question: If your career journey were a movie, what would the title be and why?

Brianne Rush (07:58.459): I’d name it The Independence Lab. That’s the name of my company, and I think it perfectly captures what early career life is like — it’s your first real taste of independence, and it’s all an experiment. You’re figuring things out. Independence is a work in progress.

Olajumoke Fatoki (08:38.755): Love it — “independence is a work in progress.” So good. Before we jump in, why are you passionate about supporting Gen Z in particular?

Brianne Rush (09:03.153): When I was transitioning from school to work, there were so many options, but no roadmap. No one really teaches you how to shift from student life to professional life — how to manage your time, build new routines, or handle finances.

I wanted to provide insights — not just from me, but from accomplished professionals — to help bridge that gap.

Olajumoke Fatoki (10:07.703): That's powerful. It's a real gap and I’m so glad we’re addressing it. So let’s dig into the core of our conversation: hard work.

Growing up, I was taught that hard work equals promotion. If others are working 9 to 5, you do 9 to 7 or even 10. Even if it costs your health. But things are changing. So does hard work alone still lead to promotion?

Brianne Rush (11:31.933): Hard work matters — but it’s no longer enough, especially if it’s costing your health or relationships. Emotional intelligence is the new career accelerator. Let me break that down:

1. Self-awareness – Know your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Self-regulation – Stay calm under pressure. In one interview, I asked to revisit a question I wasn’t prepared for. That move impressed the interviewer so much, she created an internship for me. That job later became my dream role.
3. Motivation – You have to want it.
4. Empathy – Understand what your boss, coworkers, and clients need.
5. Communication – Strong communicators rise into leadership.

Olajumoke Fatoki (14:07.827): I love that — especially self-regulation. And that story about how it led to your dream job is amazing. You've achieved so much at a young age. Can you tell us more?

Brianne Rush (15:23.233): Sure. I interned at a dance and cheer magazine in NYC. I was a dancer and journalism major, so it was the perfect fit. Within three weeks, I got offered a full-time job. A year later, I became Managing Editor. Not because I was the best writer — but because I paid attention to what the organization needed and stepped in to help.

Olajumoke Fatoki (16:53.249): That’s so inspiring. Competence alone isn’t enough — emotional intelligence is key. Now, let’s talk about labeling. Do you think Gen Zs are unfairly judged, and does that hold them back?

Brianne Rush (17:37.873): Definitely. As VP of Operations, I do a lot of hiring. There’s this perception that Gen Zs are job hoppers or entitled. Add in the gender pay gap and anxiety about AI taking jobs — and it’s a tough climate.

But with emotional intelligence and a learning mindset, Gen Zs can overcome these challenges and shift the narrative.

Olajumoke Fatoki (19:35.032): Let’s break emotional intelligence down even further. What practical actions can young people take to build it?

Brianne Rush (20:59.791): Great question. I created the EQ5 Success Method — five S’s to make it easier:

1. Self-Mastery – Set reminders to check in with yourself throughout the day.
2. Stability Under Pressure – Use tools like box breathing and ask for what you need.
3. Social Intelligence – Read the room. Notice who has influence and why.
4. Strategic Communication – Choose your words, tone, and body language wisely.
5. Smart Money Moves – Build your financial foundation to reduce stress.

Olajumoke Fatoki (24:56.287): That fifth point — finances — is so overlooked but incredibly important. Thanks for breaking that down.

Let’s move to self-advocacy. How can Gen Zs ask for what they deserve without coming across as entitled?

Brianne Rush (25:57.469): Do the work first. It’s hard to be called entitled when you’ve already delivered results.

At my current job, I started as Content Manager. I built my department, then noticed other gaps across the agency. I took on messy projects that weren’t in my job description. Six months later, I asked to be promoted to VP of Operations — and I had the proof to back it up.

Olajumoke Fatoki (27:57.389): That’s a powerful takeaway: Find a problem, solve it, and be able to communicate the value. That’s the real promotion formula.

Now, what role does relationship-building play in getting promoted?

Brianne Rush (30:27.941): A huge role. My friend at EY says she talks to everyone — not just her team. Because many opportunities are in the hidden job market. They’re not posted. People hire who they know and trust.

Best advice I ever got: Say yes to every first conversation. Some go nowhere, but others change your life.

Olajumoke Fatoki (32:37.499): Absolutely. The hidden job market is real — and relationship-building is the key. That “say yes” advice is golden.

Let’s talk about interviews. What makes candidates stand out?

Brianne Rush (34:57.617): Curiosity and confidence beat credentials. Don’t wait until you meet 100% of the qualifications. Apply anyway. Show you're a learner. Share real examples of how you’ve picked up skills — even in part-time jobs or volunteer work.

Olajumoke Fatoki (37:16.873): Love that. To tell great stories in interviews, you need experiences. Don’t sit idle while job hunting. Volunteer. Start a project. Babysit. Just do something — and learn to articulate the value.

Brianne Rush (39:34.513): Yes! And write your stories down. Tie them to the job description.

Olajumoke Fatoki (39:45.994): Let’s wrap with this: What’s an unspoken workplace rule Gen Z needs to know?

Brianne Rush (40:29.723): The old “keep your head down and stay in your lane” rule? Break it. That doesn’t lead to leadership anymore. Emotional intelligence does.

Remember: The person interviewing you wants you to be the right fit. Show them you’re ready to lead.

Olajumoke Fatoki (41:25.269): Thank you, Brianne, for such a powerful, inspiring conversation. Final thoughts for our Gen Z listeners?

Brianne Rush (44:54.577): Build your emotional intelligence. That will outrank expertise in today’s world. And for anyone who wants to dive deeper, I’m giving away my EQ5 Playbook for free — it’s normally $19. You can download it at theindependencelab.com/playbook.

You can also find me on Instagram at @brianne.attheindependencelab.

Olajumoke Fatoki (46:11.991): Thank you so much, Brianne! That gift is such a generous surprise, and I know our listeners will love it. It’s been a joy having you on Thrive Careers Podcast. Until next time, thank you all for tuning in!