Was There Ever a Fake One?
So you’ve graduated from college. Congratulations! It’s a huge accomplishment. One of the biggest milestones you’ve likely achieved up to this point and you deserve to have accolades heaped on you and celebrations planned in your honor. Soak it up! It’s a very exciting time.
Now is when you’re completely energized and motivated about your future. The world is your oyster. The glass is half full. Life is a box of chocolates. Aunt Velma and Grandpa Joe have probably summed up their wisdom for you in every cliché in the book. And we’re sure you’ve heard“welcome to the real world” over, and over, and over, and over again…
This sentiment isn’t meant to imply you were in a parallel, fake universe for the last two decades. It’s not meant to terrify you – although, let’s be honest, even with your eager anticipation about what lies ahead, you likely also have a healthy dose of nerves.
It means that for possibly the first time in your life, YOU are the sole chief, cook and bottle washer of your destiny. Alright, so maybe that is a little scary. What do you do now?
1. Search for Sustenance
For most people, the perfect job isn’t going to fall into your lap. You have to seek it out. Lucky for you, searching for jobs is more accessible than it ever was before. You have countless websites dedicated to helping you find gainful employment…nationally recognized ones, targeted ones for specific industries, local ones, virtual headhunters. There are bounties of other resources too. Sites to get your resume in top notch shape, people to write you a cover letter fit for a novella, resources for professional networking, resources for social networking that might open a door to a professional opportunity, and so on and so forth.
2. Work Hard For Your Money
You mean there are no tests to study for and term papers due in an hour…what’s a young professional to do? Once you land the job, WORK at it. You are no slouch, obviously. You’ve successfully completed at least 16 years of school work, so you understand self-discipline and task management. Even the most committed student can struggle in their first “real” job, though. It’s perfectly alright to have fun. But you were hired for your work talent, not your extracurricular interests, and you have to deliver results to keep your job.
3. Avoid the Debt Void
You now have a salary with at least one extra zero than probably any other pay you’ve gotten for work thus far and you’ve earned the right to enjoy it. It’s tempting to jump right into that Mercedes Benz SLK you’ve been eyeing for years. And to not only buy your first place but immediately gut and update the kitchen and bathroom. A mortgage, a car payment, a closet full of designer duds; these are all great goals for the future, but be sure you have a solid grasp on a realistic budget and set parameters for spending within it before you buy the whole farm.
Really, the world is calling! Keep these few things in mind and find the professional prosperity you seek and deserve.