So you’re graduating soon. Give yourself a pat on the back for finally making it after years of hard work, tears, failures, and walwalan sessions!
You’ve arrived at the moment you’ve either waited for or dreaded: life after college. Some of you might be excited to be part of the workforce and earn your own keep; others might not be as keen to become a “full-fledged adult.” Whatever your disposition, you’ll end up in the same place anyway — on the hunt for your first job.
Now, this is not to discredit anything you’ve learned for the past 4+ years in college, but nothing you were ever taught could be enough to prepare you for what’s to come. It’s true when they say that it’s a totally different playing field. You could graduate with flying colors and still struggle to prove yourself in the workplace; you could win as many college competitions as you can and still get thrown into confusion about what you’re truly passionate about; you could be known to your peers as this certain kind of person and still change.
But it’s nothing to ever be frightened about. It’s part of growing up. You keep learning and changing.
To prepare you for what will happen as soon as you march out of university, here’s some no B.S. career advice you should take with you:
10. You will never love your first job.
It’s your first battleground! You’re still in the process of knowing what you want, what you’re good at, and what you need to grow in your career. You’re also starting to figure out what you want and need from your bosses, teammates, and coworkers, which you might not be getting in your first job.
It’s just the beginning of your journey; don’t worry too much about “job hopping” or “not being loyal” because how else are you expected to discover what you want out of your life?
9. Always take advantage of your earned benefits
I can’t stress this enough: shyness will never take you places. You have the right to use up your leaves and take breaks every so often, especially when the workload is starting to overwhelm you. Never be conscious about filing for a vacation just because you’re new in the company. You earned it! You deserve days off to care for your mental health as much as everyone else does.
8. But remember: Just because the benefits are great doesn’t make it a job worth keeping
It’s unavoidable to get hooked to a company because the benefits and office space are so amazing. You might be treated to yearly company trips, free breakfast every Monday, or have work-anywhere-Wednesdays, but if you’re constantly hounded by your bosses, working overtime for most days of the week, or not experiencing the personal and career growth that you need, these benefits are hardly enough to make the job you’re in worth keeping in the long run.
7. You are here for growth, not to have a good time
Although you aren’t expected to be serious at work all the time, you’re definitely not expected to goof around either. Be aware that something is wrong if you’re just “super chill” in the office, hardly being tasked with projects or given challenging work. You’re earning money for not doing anything worthwhile — sounds like a dream, but it isn’t at all. How are you going to learn and advance in your career without anything to show for it?
6. Be careful of who you trust among your coworkers
Don’t be so quick to open up to a friendly face in the office, especially if you don’t know them that well yet. Anything you say can and will be twisted and held against you if you aren’t too careful. Make friends with your colleagues, but learn to keep your mouth shut until you’ve learned more about the company politics and who is truly worth confiding in.
5. Your passions will change
It’s normal to find out along the way that something you thought you loved isn’t serving you anymore. But it’s okay. It only means that you will discover something new to fall in love with eventually.
4. Start saving as soon as you get your first paycheck
Practice the art of delayed gratification. You will eventually earn enough to pay for travels or shopping or Friday night dinners with friends, but for now, withhold yourself. Your future self in 20 years will thank you for this.
3. Weekends are for self-care, NOT for advancing work
Don’t fall in love so quickly with the idea of “hustling.” Productivity doesn’t equate to the willingness to work overtime. It’s about working smart, not working hard. Weekends are there for a reason — for rest, rejuvenation, and spending time with friends and family. Don’t let work spill over on those days you’re supposed to have for yourself. Even if you’re willing to do it, JUST DON’T. It lets your bosses or clients believe that they can have you at their beck and call outside of office hours.
2. You’re meant to do what you’re good at, not what you love doing
This might be too hard a pill to swallow. No matter how much you love doing something, if you aren’t particularly good at it, it’s best left alone as a hobby, not a profitable venture. All your life you might have been told to “follow your passion” or “do what you love.” But you risk subjecting yourself to an identity crisis when the thing you’ve been so passionate about is ruined by the realities of monetizing it — like demanding customers, exhaustion, or the realization that you’re losing more than you hoped to gain.
This is why side-hustles exist. They’re personal projects you can do outside of your day job. They’re your creative outlets when the stress of your full-time work is draining the energy and inspiration out of you. You may not be able to depend on them as a means of living, but they can keep your sanity in check. And that’s what’s important.
1. You may not like your boss, but you must always value their wisdomÂ
You may not like your boss. They may even be the reason why you’ll want to quit your job. But you must always value the experiential wisdom that they have shared with you throughout your stay in their company. Remember that they were once wide-eyed newbies like you are now. Take what you’ve learned from them, have it ingrained in your mind, and allow it to mold you into a better person as you move on to the next step of your career.
The journey will be tough, but you will get there. Good luck, fresh grads!
Here Are 10 No B.S. Career Advice for Graduating Students
So you’re graduating soon. Give yourself a pat on the back for finally making it after years of hard work, tears, failures, and walwalan sessions!
You’ve arrived at the moment you’ve either waited for or dreaded: life after college. Some of you might be excited to be part of the workforce and earn your own keep; others might not be as keen to become a “full-fledged adult.” Whatever your disposition, you’ll end up in the same place anyway — on the hunt for your first job.
Now, this is not to discredit anything you’ve learned for the past 4+ years in college, but nothing you were ever taught could be enough to prepare you for what’s to come. It’s true when they say that it’s a totally different playing field. You could graduate with flying colors and still struggle to prove yourself in the workplace; you could win as many college competitions as you can and still get thrown into confusion about what you’re truly passionate about; you could be known to your peers as this certain kind of person and still change.
Source:Â The Awkward Yeti
But it’s nothing to ever be frightened about. It’s part of growing up. You keep learning and changing.
To prepare you for what will happen as soon as you march out of university, here’s some no B.S. career advice you should take with you:
10. You will never love your first job.
It’s your first battleground! You’re still in the process of knowing what you want, what you’re good at, and what you need to grow in your career. You’re also starting to figure out what you want and need from your bosses, teammates, and coworkers, which you might not be getting in your first job.
It’s just the beginning of your journey; don’t worry too much about “job hopping” or “not being loyal” because how else are you expected to discover what you want out of your life?
9. Always take advantage of your earned benefits
I can’t stress this enough: shyness will never take you places. You have the right to use up your leaves and take breaks every so often, especially when the workload is starting to overwhelm you. Never be conscious about filing for a vacation just because you’re new in the company. You earned it! You deserve days off to care for your mental health as much as everyone else does.
via GIPHY
8. But remember: Just because the benefits are great doesn’t make it a job worth keeping
It’s unavoidable to get hooked to a company because the benefits and office space are so amazing. You might be treated to yearly company trips, free breakfast every Monday, or have work-anywhere-Wednesdays, but if you’re constantly hounded by your bosses, working overtime for most days of the week, or not experiencing the personal and career growth that you need, these benefits are hardly enough to make the job you’re in worth keeping in the long run.
7. You are here for growth, not to have a good time
Although you aren’t expected to be serious at work all the time, you’re definitely not expected to goof around either. Be aware that something is wrong if you’re just “super chill” in the office, hardly being tasked with projects or given challenging work. You’re earning money for not doing anything worthwhile — sounds like a dream, but it isn’t at all. How are you going to learn and advance in your career without anything to show for it?
6. Be careful of who you trust among your coworkers
Don’t be so quick to open up to a friendly face in the office, especially if you don’t know them that well yet. Anything you say can and will be twisted and held against you if you aren’t too careful. Make friends with your colleagues, but learn to keep your mouth shut until you’ve learned more about the company politics and who is truly worth confiding in.
5. Your passions will change
It’s normal to find out along the way that something you thought you loved isn’t serving you anymore. But it’s okay. It only means that you will discover something new to fall in love with eventually.
4. Start saving as soon as you get your first paycheck
Practice the art of delayed gratification. You will eventually earn enough to pay for travels or shopping or Friday night dinners with friends, but for now, withhold yourself. Your future self in 20 years will thank you for this.
3. Weekends are for self-care, NOT for advancing work
Don’t fall in love so quickly with the idea of “hustling.” Productivity doesn’t equate to the willingness to work overtime. It’s about working smart, not working hard. Weekends are there for a reason — for rest, rejuvenation, and spending time with friends and family. Don’t let work spill over on those days you’re supposed to have for yourself. Even if you’re willing to do it, JUST DON’T. It lets your bosses or clients believe that they can have you at their beck and call outside of office hours.
via GIPHY
2. You’re meant to do what you’re good at, not what you love doing
This might be too hard a pill to swallow. No matter how much you love doing something, if you aren’t particularly good at it, it’s best left alone as a hobby, not a profitable venture. All your life you might have been told to “follow your passion” or “do what you love.” But you risk subjecting yourself to an identity crisis when the thing you’ve been so passionate about is ruined by the realities of monetizing it — like demanding customers, exhaustion, or the realization that you’re losing more than you hoped to gain.
This is why side-hustles exist. They’re personal projects you can do outside of your day job. They’re your creative outlets when the stress of your full-time work is draining the energy and inspiration out of you. You may not be able to depend on them as a means of living, but they can keep your sanity in check. And that’s what’s important.
1. You may not like your boss, but you must always value their wisdomÂ
You may not like your boss. They may even be the reason why you’ll want to quit your job. But you must always value the experiential wisdom that they have shared with you throughout your stay in their company. Remember that they were once wide-eyed newbies like you are now. Take what you’ve learned from them, have it ingrained in your mind, and allow it to mold you into a better person as you move on to the next step of your career.
The journey will be tough, but you will get there. Good luck, fresh grads!
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