Graduation to Work Force: Tips and Reality Checks for the College Grad
Becoming a college grad is great, but it’s kind of scary. If you don’t already have a job lined up, you’re kind of stressed and you have to figure out what the heck you are going to do with your life pretty quickly if you haven’t already. Whether you are going on interviews and looking for jobs or you already have your first job (in your career field or not), there are a few things to remember.
BE NICE.
This is simple, yet effective. Joking around sometimes is ok, but there is no reason to act defensive or arrogant. If you aren’t feeling the interview, still smile and say “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me” and move on.
Remember your manners.
I am southern born and raised. Saying “yes ma’am,” “no ma’am,” “yes sir,” “no sir,” “please,” and “thank you” is just a good thing to do in general. Show people respect and in return, they will (usually) respect you back.
Face it. You don’t know everything.
Just because you went to college, that doesn’t mean that you know everything. There is always room for improvement, and the people you are working with can be great mentors for you. Utilize that and learn as much as you can.
It will get better.
It’s nerve-wracking (at least for me) going to a new place that you don’t know ESPECIALLY if it’s your first professional job. Don’t get discouraged. It might take a few weeks to feel comfortable with the workload, learn the way they do things, and make friends. Try to stay positive and things will look up for you.
If it doesn’t get better, there are other options out there.
If you are just graduating, it is important to get a job. But in some cases, that job just isn’t working out for you. There are other job options out there. You are young, you are still learning, and you are still learning what really interests you. If you truly do not enjoy where you are and you don’t see a future there, you aren’t stuck in your first job forever. Be young. Explore. Learn more about your field and about yourself and find somewhere you truly feel like you belong.
Written by: Melanie Williams, Graphic Designer at Immotion Studios
