MPW Insider is an online community where the biggest names in business and beyond answer timely career and leadership questions. Today’s answer for: What is one piece of advice all millennials should take before entering the workforce? is written by Jennifer Steinmann, Deputy CEO and CTO of Deloitte.

　　It’s sometimes one of the scariest words in the English language, but it’s a word you should be prepared to say when opportunities arise in your career: Yes.

　　I’m not saying you should blindly accept everything that’s offered to you, it’s okay to take time when considering the pros and cons of an opportunity. But, when you find yourself leaning toward “No,” you owe it to yourself to be sure that you’re turning down the opportunity for a valid reason, not just out of fear.

　　Consider this: Will the experience enhance your knowledge and play to your strengths? Will it introduce you to new concepts and new people? (All great reasons to say yes!) Will it require you to develop new techniques for managing your team or working with more experienced people? Embrace this challenge and get out of your comfort zone.

　　When I find myself wanting to shout “No!” to an opportunity, that’s a sure sign to me that the answer should probably be “Yes.” So, I take a deep breath and analyze the situation as objectively as possible.

　　Remember, no one is ever perfectly prepared for every situation. You’ve probably discovered this by now. Your education gave you a foundation for the job, but growth happens in the trenches. Maybe you motivated your team not just to meet the new deadline, but to deliver extraordinary work. Perhaps you realized you had more poise than you ever expected in a client situation. Or, you suddenly discovered that you can capitalize on the relationships you’ve built and become a “rainmaker” for your organization. Before you can learn any of these things, you have to learn to say “Yes.” It’s okay to acknowledge the butterflies in your stomach; however, it’s not okay to let them stifle your growth.

　　When you need help, reach out to people in your networks – that’s what they’re there for. Whether you need a confidence-boosting pep talk or advice about building your technical experience — your mentor, your colleagues, and your manager can help. You may not know how to do something today, but chances are you’re smart enough to find someone who can help you learn it. And once you do, don’t unfasten your seatbelt – there’s always going to be another challenge headed your way.

　　My grandmother’s favorite poem was Invictus by William Ernest Henley. My father hung a copy of it on our kitchen wall, so I grew up reading it every day: “I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.” I think the best advice I can give anyone – especially someone just starting out in business – is to embrace your role as master of your own fate. Recognize opportunities when they arise and get comfortable saying “Yes.”

　　MPW内部网络是一个邀请具有影响力的商界女性及时解答职业与领导力问题的在线社区。今天，我们的问题是：千禧一代进入职场前应采纳的建议是什么？以下是德勤副首席执行官兼首席技术官詹妮弗?斯坦曼的回答。

　　有时，它是英语中最可怕的字眼之一。但是当机会在你的职业生涯中出现时，你应该准备好说出这个字眼：Yes。

　　当然，我不是说你应该盲目地接受摆在面前的一切机会，花时间权衡一下利弊是对的。但当你想要说“No”时，你要确信是出于正当的理由，而不是因为心怀恐惧。

　　认真思考一下：未来的经历能提高你的知识和技能吗？它是否会让你接触到新的观点，认识不同的人？（这些都是支持你对机会说“Yes”的好理由！）你需要为了管理团队或与经验更加丰富的同事共事而培养新技巧吗？如果答案是肯定的，那就接受这种挑战，走出你的舒适区。

　　当我想要对一个机会大声喊“No”时，这往往是个信号，提醒我还有一个答案或许该是“Yes”。如此一来，我会深呼吸一下，然后尽量客观地分析现状。

　　要知道，从来没有人能够为每一种情况做好万全准备。你可能刚刚发现这一点。你的教育经历为你提供了一个工作基础，但成长往往发生在第一线。或许，你鼓励你的团队不仅按最新期限完成工作，而且表现出色。或许，你与客户共事时发现自己比以往更加镇静自若。或许，你突然发现自己能利用以往建立的人脉，开始在组织里“呼风唤雨”。在学会这些技能之前，你只能学习说“Yes”。面对机会时，感到忐忑不安是很自然的事情，但千万不要让这种情绪扼杀你的成长。

　　当你需要帮助时，你应该联系你的人脉资源——这正是他们存在的原因。无论你需要他人为你打气，还是想要寻求积累技术经验的建议，你的导师、同事和经理都能为你提供帮助。今天，你可能不知道如何开展某项工作，但你或许足够聪明，能够找到能帮你掌握这种技能的人。一旦你做到这一点，千万不要放松，因为前方总会有其他挑战在等待着你。

　　我祖母最喜欢的一首诗是威廉?埃内斯特?亨利的《不可征服》（Invictus）。我父亲把这首诗挂在厨房墙壁上，所以在成长过程中，我每天都会读到它：“我，是我命运的主宰。我，是我灵魂的统帅。”我能为每个人，特别是初入职场者提供的最好建议，就是欣然接受你作为命运主宰的角色。当机会出现时，抓住机会并敢于说“Yes!”