From College to Career: Transitioning Smoothly into the Workforce
It felt like just yesterday I walked across the graduation stage to receive my diploma, but that was four months ago in May. Now it’s September, and month number one of my first full-time job out of college is officially in the books. It’s a bittersweet time– I have reflected upon the four years of undergrad I’ll never get back again and have braced myself for a lifetime ahead of work, or in other terms, adulting.
What makes transitioning from college to career so challenging is there’s no formula to follow to guarantee a full-time position. If you think back to high school, you likely applied to numerous colleges, taking for granted you would at least get into the one with the super high acceptance rate. But when it comes to full-time post-grad jobs, there’s no such thing as an acceptance rate. You can apply to hundreds of jobs in the communications field and still end up with none, while your friend might apply for just three positions and land one of them.
I was that friend. How did I do it? With a lot of baby steps throughout my undergraduate career that when combined together made considerable ones, including building a personal brand, strong portfolio and supportive network. The moral of the story is– nothing can ever come to fruition in a snap. It takes time and perseverance, as well as a whole lot of heart, passion and an open mind.
The reality of the industry is– you might not end up with a full-time job in the communications field by the time you walk across the graduation stage. And that’s okay. Keep at it! Fast forward to once you’re able to land a job, you may find yourself questioning ‘am I ready for this?’ just like I did. The answer is yes, even if it’s buried in doubt or anxiety.
Whether your first full-time job out of college keeps you close to home or takes you thousands of miles away, here are seven tips to keep in mind all seven days a week to help you smoothly transition into your new beginning.
1. Build bridges, make connections
As a rising star, you’re likely a networking rockstar, and you’ll want to expand the bridges of your relationships and make new meaningful connections, especially with your newest colleagues. Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself or ask to grab a coffee. Connections aren’t only colleagues but also others at your company and in the communications industry both inside and outside your specific field. These individuals might eventually become colleagues, bosses and even mentors who can help boost personal growth and professional success.
2. Maintain good communication
Out of all the valuable lessons you might learn throughout your communications career, the one that stands out from the rest is in the title of the industry– communication. With your manager, you’ll want to maintain good communication and chat one-on-one about your progress. With your team overall, good communication leads to healthy work relationships and an organized work environment, which can allow you and your company to thrive. Additionally, be sure to advocate for yourself early on and check in with yourself so you can stay in tune with your professional and personal values.
3. Spread your wings
You’re here because someone believed in you– your skill set, passions, work ethic– whatever it was that made them feel you were a good fit for the job. Now is your time to prove why. The communications field is ever-changing, and so are you. Be open to new experiences– you’re entering a new beginning, after all! Circling back to tip number one, you’ll want to find the people who will support you and ultimately help you flourish.
4. If you don’t know it, say it
You don’t have all the answers now, and you’re never going to have all the answers, well, ever. Be curious, ask questions and ask the ‘why.’ It’s how we learn, and with learning we can grow.
5. Make mistakes and learn from them
It’s a new beginning for a reason– you’re only starting to learn how to navigate it. Some of our biggest learning lessons come after instances of error. Take accountability for your mistakes, try not to repeat them and embrace them as a means to improve.
6. Learn how to balance work and life
It can feel like you have to prioritize work as a rising star, but don’t forget about friends and family despite a desire to build professional connections! Consciously or unconsciously, you might start your career with a poor work-life balance, so it’s important to stay in tune with yourself and learn what to prioritize. Think about what is important to you outside of work, whether it’s hanging out with those closest to you or taking part in a pastime.
7. Read industry news
Just as you stay up to date with your personal life and events going on around you, you’ll want to be in tune with your industry. Keeping up with industry news will help you make more informed decisions in your work and have more intellectual conversations with those in your workplace. You can also attend discussions like NYWICI’s “Hot Topics” webinar to gain fresh insights on the latest industry trends and breakthroughs.
By Lilli Iannella, 2023 Ellen Levine Memorial Scholarship Recipient
