This past week, I had the pleasure of speaking to brilliant W. P. Carey marketing students at Arizona State University about my career path since graduating in 2012.

Reminiscing about how much I loved these types of events as a student, I wasn't going to just show up and drop luscious wisdom. I took this pretty seriously, folks. And so, I decided to do some reflection. There were many ideas, pieces of advice I received from mentors, experiences from agency and corporate life, even lessons learned seeking to bridge the gap between traditional and integrated marketing strategies. The process helped me recognize that I am so very #blessed for the opportunities I have had thus far. For real.

Once I had my plethora of thoughts in front of me, I was able to organize them into key themes. And before I knew it, I had cultivated five career tips from yours truly. Below are my five. They take inspiration from helicopters... aka hummingbirds that I usually watch from my husband's grandparents' back porch. We can learn lot from these little birds.

1. There are many paths

Hummingbirds are able to fly forward, backward, side to side, and even upside down. I know this because I have seen it firsthand AND because I have the San Diego Zoo as a source. A hummingbird's nimbleness allows it to navigate unlike any other bird. In many ways, I have learned that careers are not straight paths either. We move side to side and we may go deep in a particular area. We develop a nimble, diverse skill set through these ebbs and flows.

2. Take risks early and often

I credit two of my bosses from SONIC with this advice. They would tell me, "Early in your career, take time to become interesting." Hummingbirds live in a variety of habitats. We should too. We can stretch ourselves in many ways. Don't be afraid to physically move yourself to a new location, role or even project outside or within your organization. Seek after opportunities that energize you and, perhaps, build upon each other in non obvious ways.

3. Lead from anywhere

Fearless. Hummingbirds, unless taken by surprise, outmaneuver anyone and anything. As a young professional, you don't have to be a the top of the corporate pyramid or have a manager or director level title to lead. Always do your homework, come prepared, and have a point of view at the ready.

Also, run your own race. We only see a small section of the puzzle and not all the outside pieces are in place. Totally disorienting. Other people will get promoted (when you don't think it makes sense), receive fancier titles (with less years of experience), or get to go to the conference you wanted to attend. But just like Facebook has been coined "the highlight reel," your LinkedIn tends to be too. Instead of focusing on what others are doing, focus on being a better you. Beat your own PR. It will take your far.

4. Make the most of it

A hummingbird's appetite is HUGE. In proportion, they eat 77x more than the average human. Have a big appetite for learning and growing in your career. Seek understanding by setting up 1-on-1's with people you admire. Build a RSS feed of blogs, articles and inspiration beyond just your industry. You can see mine here. Inquire about projects that interest you outside your current responsibilities. Feed and nourish yourself. As noted by Tip #1, we all ebb and flow throughout our career. Not every step in the journey will be one you absolutely adore, but if you apply Tip #4, you'll discover growth.

5. Encourage others

This is the most important tip. The skill of being nice is super underrated. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Like a hummingbird, go about and pollinate others with encouragement. This includes yourself. Your attitude is a powerful tool. The head of my agency always told us that everyone wants to know that they matter and that someone cares about them. Be that person that cares. I believe fruit will come of it.

So there's my five. Looking back at your career thus far, what advice would you share with your younger self? Be sure to share!