First Year Out

Transitions can be challenging! New graduates often fail to take the time necessary to prepare for the monumental shift from student to professional. You can no longer sleep-in until your afternoon class, or have gourmet meals prepared and waiting for you to pick up, or casually pull all-nighters; though perhaps you can begin to say goodbye to being broke. This transition requires you to be professional: to have a "9 to 5" in many cases, cook your own meals, find your own place, have limited vacation time, and more importantly, to put into practice all you have learned and acquired throughout your college career. It is essentially a wake up call but you don't have to worry. Listed below you will be introduced briefly to the 8 key issues mentioned over and over again by new graduates, and how managing them can lead to a successful transition as detailed in "Making a Successful Transition from College to Career" by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., and Katherine Hansen, Ph.D. 

  1.  Time-Related Factors
    It's all about Time Management. As you enter the world of work you will quickly realize that you will have to handle numerious projects at a time while maintaining a home life, realizing free time has been replaced with managing bills, 40+  hour work weeks, lunch meetings, staff meetings, deadlines, and the overall maintaining of your job.  Managing your time efficiently will be keep in maintaining a health work-life balance.
  2. Professionalism in the Workplace
    There is no time to slack off. Your professionalism can determine whether or not you keep your job. Maintain and exceed expectation. Be a self-starter and be guided by your personal values and goals.
  3. A Job or True Calling?
    Your first job might not be your dream job. Be Flexible, open-minded and willing to learn! You might find yourself in a position you may have never thought you'd be in.  If you find yourself in a job that's not right for your, reflect and pivot carefully so that you can transition back on track to your career goals.
  4. College Has Not Prepared You for Everything 
    One of the major complaints from recent graduates is that college failed to prepare them for the world of work. You will find that things like managing finances, living on your own, learning teamwork skills, and understanding different personality will be new areas of growth and learning outside of college.
  5. Finding Employment May Not Be Easy
    The job search takes time and planning. Finding a job that meets your career goals and personal needs is a fulltime commitment. Engaging in passive job searching will hinder your opportunities for success. Begin your job search in advance of graduation - at least six months. Be strategic and intentional in your search, consistently seeking work, submitting tailored applications, networking, and following up.  
  6. Don't Be So Full Of Yourself
    It's important to be confident in your abilities and skills. However, remember that there are others with your degrees and qualifications. Focus on showing how you can use your skills and talents to contribute to an organization, and how you expect to grow through partnering with them. 
  7. College Grads Get Entry Level Jobs 
    Be realistic. As a recent grad you will most likely find an entry level job with entry level salary and entry level work hours. This does not mean that you should settle and accept the first offer presented. Instead, you will want to manage your expectations and be prepared to work toward reaching the level of success you desire.
  8. Be Prepared for Salary Negotiations and Job Offers
    Know what you want and what you're worth. You may be faced with more than one job offer and this is where you get the opportunity to decide which one is the best for you.  Download the Salary Negotiation Guide here for help in navigating negotiations.

 

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