They’re Penelope Trunk’s words, not mine. But I don’t think she’ll mind if I adopt them. They underscore my firm belief that the shape of your career is molded by your personal brand and the company you keep:

One of the most important changes in work life is that we do not define our career by working for one company—we change jobs too frequently. Today, we define ourselves by the integrity with which we manage our career.

Amen, sister.

Do these two sentences resonate with you? Forget 140 characters! What are the 40 words that define your career?

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Ah, career advice. As much as I love giving it, I really love to hear it. I’m dork, I know. Sometimes it’s commonsense and rather pointless like “work hard” or “never give up.” But many times it makes you step back and access your situation. It makes you grateful for what you’ve got and/or passionate about what you could attain.

It’s even more fun when the advice is cool. Like this offering from career strategist J.T. O???Donnell, which points out that since the vast majority of new jobs are landed based on who you know, you should probably start caring about who you know and how they remember you.

To this point, O’Donnell asks if you are a marble-type or sponge-type employee and warns, “your answer will determine the quality, quantity & quickness of job offers you receive.”

So … are you a marble?

Marbles are people that as they progress through their careers, don???t take the time to connect with others and build meaningful professional relationships. While they maintain a shiny professional persona, they fail to gather any weight in the form of contacts and resources that can help them in the future.

Or are you a sponge?

Sponges are people who make it a point to connect and build relationships with managers, co-workers and clients. They see value in building a strong professional network by getting to know people on a deeper level. By acquiring and maintaining workplace connections, they build professional weight that they can leverage in the future.

Why does it matter?  Read O’Donnell’s explanation here. I can testify to the impact a first/only impression makes on your future. That dude you just stood next to at the Shelby County Imagination Library event may be your next boss. Just say’n.