This past week, America lost yet another well-known hero in the public eye…the honorable Walter Cronkite. As I sit here thinking about this fabulous media mogul, memories of watching the news with my dad and building houses of cards, in the days when life was Facebook and Twitter free...continue to flow in. What interested me most as I read about Mr. Cronkite is how unwavering he was about his love for his craft.

Once you land in a new job, think of it as a pile of clay and make every attempt to mold it to your liking. Discover what you excel at and ask for more projects that rely on your strengths. Ask for promotional opportunities, and if you are not considered, ask for real feedback. Then, try like crazy to improve your skills so that you might be considered for the promotion next time or for a similar role outside the company. Walter Cronkite didn't do the same job for 31 years – he had a variety of  responsibilities, all because he was at the right place at the right time. You can be too.

Many people have recently accepted new jobs that are not necessarily their career dream due to the lagging economy. If you're in a job that you believe is temporary, try to learn as much as you possibly can from the experience. Find a mentor at the company who can teach you new skills outside your comfort zone. Network within your industry to develop new contacts so that if you decide to reach farther, you will know the people who can help you get there.

I learned from www.Telegraph.co.uk that "Perhaps the greatest mark of Walter Cronkite's achievements came at his retirement broadcast in 1981. The event was covered as a major news story by rival networks ABC & NBC, which, in an industry noted for vicious competition, was the ultimate accolade." Embrace your competition and partner with them to share leads. Ultimately, you will learn from each other and may even help each other reach higher career plateaus. The future is yours and it can be a great one!