Commencement is typically associated with the act of graduating, usually from college or high school. It’s a time of celebration and a time to reflect upon all that one has accomplished leading up to this event. In many ways, a commencement ceremony signifies the ending of one phase of life, which it is to some extent, but is it truly just that? After all, “to commence” means “to begin or to start”.
In “Year One: How Young Professionals (And Their Managers) Can Thrive in Their First Job After College,” a publication out of Wake Forest University, it explains that the experience of full-time work and the responsibilities of adulthood are structurally unlike anything students have experienced to that point and that college graduates new to the job market should be prepared for different rules of success.
The transition from college student to employee is a gradual one, but there are some things that can be done to set the foundation for success, not only in one’s first job, but for their career, in general.
First, connect with your new employer early. Create a list of questions you have about your role – how you will be evaluated, how best to connect with coworkers, what initial training looks like. This may even be able to be done prior to your first day on the job with the connections already made through human resources as well as those with whom you have met up to this point.
Secondly, strengthen your “soft skills” – those competencies that are not necessarily related to the job itself, but are valued across jobs and industries. Soft skills, including time management, teamwork, communication, listening and attention to detail, are used daily, on the job and off. Look for opportunities to work on these skills in your everyday life.
Advice and feedback, both positive and negative, help one to improve and grow. Look to identify mentors both within and outside of your new organization. These mentors can serve as sources of information as well as sounding boards. Maybe join a professional association that is relevant to your line of work. Many of these organizations welcome student members at a reduced membership fee.
While your first job may seem like the perfect job, odds are it likely will not be your last job. Changing jobs is not unusual and there are multiple paths to end up with the career you seek. Explore invitations to gain experience or to even specialize in a particular area. Be ready for those unexpected opportunities.
Lastly, embrace the transition from school to work. Life is a series of transitions, and this initial transition will help you to navigate those that follow. Mistakes may be made along the way. Treat them as learning opportunities to assist you in your career development.
