After graduation, now what?

It is encouraging to see so many young people graduating with a High School certificate, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. After all, it is imperative that all young people pursue and achieve some form of education. What is frustrating, however, is that a major part of their education is missing.{{more}}

If the ultimate goal is to prepare our young people to eventually end up in the workplace, then why is it that more effort is not made to get them there? I know this problem firsthand, since I did not get the training I needed to be successful in the workplace. Instead, I had to learn the hard way by making costly career mistakes. No matter where you are in your educational journey, here are some concepts to keep in mind that will help you be successful in the workplace.

Your Degree. The marks you make in your subjects won’t mean anything after you are hired. No one on the job really cares what kind of scores you had in school. However, you do need a degree even to be considered for a job. In other words, your degree will open the door of opportunity for you.

Your Attitude. The first few weeks on any job can vary tremendously from utterly boring to extremely hectic. Don’t become a whiner and complain about the job. Stay calm, observe, and do your best, regardless of the circumstances. Sometimes, those first weeks are just a test to see how you react and perform. Someone is always listening and watching, so be careful what you do, say, and how you say it. Your actions after you’re hired indicate where you’ve been and suggest where you’re going. This is where many recent graduates make career-altering decisions, for good or bad.

Your Bridges. Don’t just stay in your cubicle. Reach out and build bridges with various people within the company. You are not looking for friends, so don’t disqualify people based on whether you personally like them or not. Don’t be a phony. Understand that you are looking for co-workers you can get to know and learn from. Build a support system with those colleagues that you decide can help you get your job done and advance your career. Don’t look solely at qualifications and experience. Sometimes the janitor can teach you more about a company than the vice- president. Be wise about your selections!

Your Promotion. Take the time to learn the job you are given and do it well before you look for a promotion. This can be difficult, since today’s workers do not stay in positions as long as previously. Pace yourself and take your time. Six months may seem an eternity; but in many positions that time still won’t make you an expert. Remember, too, that having tons of degrees simply means you are “book smart.” Degrees do not translate into experience.

Your Money. Be wise with that pay cheque. You may be young and carefree, but bad financial management now can ruin aspirations of owning a home, getting a second degree or raising a family. In some international positions, you may actually be denied a position if your personal finances are in shambles.

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