Starting Your New Career: Tips for Success After Graduation

Getting ready to graduate from college? Then you’re probably looking forward to kickstarting your career and the rest of your life. However, it’s also important to understand that the time between college and the “real” world is a transitional period —and things don’t always go according to plan.

With some practical tips and strategies in mind, you’ll be better prepared for the next exciting phase of life and all that it brings.

Remember, You’re Adjusting to a New Schedule

First and foremost, understand that transitioning to life after college will probably require some scheduling adjustments.

College Schedule Is Different

When you’re in college, you can choose your own schedule toa certain point. Not a morning person? You can take afternoon or evening classes. Want a day off in the middle of the week? Your academic schedule might be able to accommodate that.

Once you finish school, you’ll probably need to adjust to a new job and personal schedule that might vary significantly from what you were used to in college.

New Job Schedule

If you’ve already found a job that you’ll be starting after graduation, you may need to adjust to a new work schedule. Whether it’s a more “traditional” 9-5 job during the week or something with less conventional hours, you’ll need to get used to your work schedule. This will also mean determining what time you need to wake up for work to accommodate getting ready and any commute that you may have.

Personal Schedule

After college, you may also need to make some scheduling adjustments to accommodate other changes in your personal life. When you’re working full time, you might have a harder time squeezing in other things that you enjoyed during college such as hobbies, exercise, and time with friends/family. As you navigate the realities of your new job, you may need to experiment with your schedule to make sure you still have time for the things most essential to you.

Focus on Building New Relationships

Another crucial aspect of entering your chosen field and growing (both professionally and personally) is establishing and building meaningful relationships.

Focus on Creating Professional Relationships

Having a solid professional network can be a great way to grow your career prospects as you build connections with like-minded people in your field. These days, there are plenty of ways to establish professional relationships, ranging from networking platforms (like LinkedIn) to career fair opportunities and other industry career builders (like trade shows and conferences).

Create New Friends

More than likely, you made some great friends in college and you’ll certainly want to keep those relationships going even after graduation. That said, this is also a good time to branch out and create some new friendships. This may include friendships with fellow peers and coworkers and friendships outside of your professional life. New friends can enrich your post-college life while providing you with support when you need it.

Adjusting to Entry-Level Positions

Many recent college graduates get started with entry-level jobs in their respective fields. When you’re preparing to start an entry-level position in your chosen industry, there are some tips worth keeping in mind to help you get the most out of the experience.

Embrace Company Culture

Ideally, the company where you’ll be working will be a solid cultural fit with values and beliefs that align closely with your own. As you get started in your new role, find ways to embrace the company culture and get involved as much as possible. This will make it easier for you to meet new people, develop personal/professional relationships, and possibly even work your way up the company ladder while feeling connected to the work you do.

Know Your Short- and Long-Term Goals

Before you even begin your first entry-level job, take some time to consider both your short- and long-term professional goals. Do you see yourself working in this position for the next few years, or will this only be a temporary gig as you explore other opportunities? Likewise, do you see yourself working your way up the ladder with your current company or are you open to exploring opportunities elsewhere?

By knowing where you stand and where you want to be, you can enter the workforce with a stronger sense of purpose.

Prepare to Learn

Even though you just spent years in school learning about the field in which you are preparing to work, the reality is that there is always some knowledge that you simply cannot gain from the classroom alone. You should always go into a new role or position with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

Be Prepared for Anything

After you graduateand land your first job in the field, you might have a rigid idea in your mind of what the rest of your career will look like. However, it’s important to understand that things don’t always work out as you may have planned. When you’re prepared for anything, you can more readily adapt to anything life throws your way.

First Job Isn’t a Good Fit

As excited as you may be to start your first job, you should also recognize that your first job might not always be a great fit — and that’s okay. Believe it or not, the average person changes jobs anywhere from three to seven times before they find the right fit. Don’t feel obligated to stay in a job where you’re not happy or fulfilled.

You Don’t Get Your Dream Job

Consider that the “dream job” you have in mind now may not ever come to fruition. You might simply decide to go on another path with your career, or you might even return to school to study something else entirely. At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong way to work toward your dreams, just as there is no predetermined schedule for doing so.

Work on Your Hard and Soft Skills

No matter what industry you’re pursuing, there are bound to be some hard and soft skills that you’ll want to develop and that will serve you well.

Hard Skills to Work On

The exact hard skills that you should work on will depend on your specific field of study and career goals, but some common hard skills valuable across many industries include:

• The ability to analyze data
• Proficiency in industry tools and software platforms
• Project management
• Knowledge of foreign languages

Soft Skills to Work On

In the interim, there are several soft skills that can be applied to just about any role. Some examples include:

• Strong verbal and written communication
• Collaboration and team-building
• Ability to think critically under pressure
• Conflict resolution and problem solving
• Leadership

Ready to Find Your Path?

Navigating the transition from your academic life to your professional life can be difficult, but with the right support system and tips in place, you’ll be ready for what lies ahead.At Carson-Newman University, the Christian educators inour College of Professional Studies are committed to helping you succeed not just in school, but beyond graduation. Learn more about our program offerings or start your application today.