Did you just get your diploma? Are you lamenting the end of your former student existence? Are you interested in learning what it will be like to be a full-fledged employee?
Yes, yes and yes? I hate to break it to you, but you are about to enter the "real world," which will teach you a ton of new lessons. I know it seems patronizing. So keep in mind that learning hasn't finished simply because the relentless exam process has. Far from it.
In all honesty, the idea of going through this radical change in life might be daunting. However, it is not necessary. Therefore, I want to share with you in this blog how to properly transition from academic life (college, university, etc.) to professional life in order to give your career the best possible start.
Alter Your Focus
Don’t Compare Yourself
Establish Healthy Habits
Network
Keep Your Resume Updated
Final Thoughts
Alter your Focus
The goal of education was to accommodate your needs and choices. You made the decisions about the individuals you spent time with, your schedule, your classes, and your teachers.
You no longer have that degree of control at work. The good news is that you receive a paycheck. And you must direct your attention toward the individuals who sign those paychecks if you want to find employment and be successful at work.
Consider yourself an employer and consider how you might support the organization's business requirements. After years of putting your own needs first, you must now prioritize the requirements of the organization, at least at work.
Don’t Compare Yourself
It's easy to start comparing yourself to your college pals in the social media age when it seems like everyone is competing for more "likes." This is not helpful or healthy in any way. Instead of looking through their social media, speak with your pals face-to-face (if possible) about how they are adjusting to life after school. The majority of them will be in the same situation as you, which can be comforting and help you put things in perspective.
Keep in mind that social media may be very deceiving because users typically only share content on their profiles that they want other users to view. This advice will be helpful if you're finding it difficult to handle the pressure of looking for a graduate job, especially when it might appear like everyone else is succeeding.
Establish Healthy Habits
Since you'll be "on-the-go" constantly and everything else tends to fall by the wayside during your first few weeks and months at your new work, it can be quite simple to develop unhealthful habits. You might also have carried over some bad behaviors from your time in college, such as allowing a sedentary lifestyle to take over if you work in an office setting or staying up too late when you need to get up early for work.
In order to build and maintain a healthy work-life balance, make sure to instill excellent habits from the start, such as eating healthily, exercising, resting, and relaxing.Early adoption of healthy habits can also aid in your ability to not only cope with this significant transition in your life but also to perform well in your first job, stay motivated, and experience less stress.
Network!!!
Your networking as a student might have been restricted to social networking on websites like Twitter or Instagram. It's time to broaden your horizons.
Every stage of your career will benefit from having a strong network, but the beginning is especially crucial. A recommendation from someone who can attest to your character and work ethic is much more persuasive than a resume that boasts that you excelled in English Literature and led your lacrosse team in scoring.
Talk to everyone when you're looking for a job: your family, friends, neighbors, the gas station attendant, and your former boss at the pizza business. It's impossible to predict who knows who, who knows who, and who has a job opening. Tell them what kind of job you’re seeking and make sure they know how to get in touch with you.
Keep Your Resume Updated
Maintaining an updated resume is always a smart idea, even if you're happy with your employment. Add a job you get to your resume once you get it. Then you can update it if you achieve a major goal or certification.
Here at K&G Career academy our goal is to provide hands-on and one on one training where each student will receive personal attention in their development towards their career. We offer 3-4 week courses where students can get a certificate and have them apply it to their resume so they can stand out when it comes to job placements.
Being ready with an updated resume could put you one step ahead of other qualified candidates when a new chance arises. So make sure to document all of your contributions and compliments, retaining copies of any that were written by hand or via email. Your successes might propel you to your next professional challenge as they accumulate.
Final Thoughts
You most likely believed that your education was finished once you had your brand-new diploma or degree in hand and a mind full of knowledge. But making a smooth transition from school to job requires its own set of skills.
You're discovering your strengths, your areas for development, and the techniques used by true professionals. Additionally, you are beginning to develop a professional network that could help you in your career. Your decision about "what you want to be"—whether it is sticking with the career path you choose in school or choosing an alternative one—is influenced by your experience in the real world.