Advice To New Grads: Find Your Purpose

So, you’re sitting there reading this — likely between scouring websites in search of a job. Because you’ve just graduated — and, well, that’s what you’re supposed to do, right? Find a job. And I’m sure you’re getting plenty of advice on what to look for. Something in your field of study. Opportunities for growth. A strong, stable company. In a cool city. As someone who heard all the same things when I started on my journey, I’d like to offer you some different advice.

Be Great

No matter where you land or what you do, take pride in your work and give it your all. Skills can be learned, and experience is accumulated over time, but attitude and conviction come from within. Approach every task as an opportunity to further the cause, movement or mission, and you’ll be recognized, appreciated and rewarded.

Be Bold

My degrees are in math and software engineering. So, I should be a teacher or a developer, right? Well, I’m not. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious choices, expected direction or beaten path. Take risks, have some grit and explore different opportunities. The greatest challenges and proudest accomplishments that I’ve realized in my life have been a result of taking risks and jumping in with both feet.

Be a Team Player

To quote the American anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” Your work and your impact will improve exponentially when actively engaging with and learning from others. Everybody has something to offer. So seek out opportunities to work with as many different people as often as you can.

Be a Lifelong Learner

Your formal education may be over (or on hiatus), but learning is a lifelong endeavor. Having spent most of my career in the tech field, I can attest that the skills needed today are far different than the skills needed a decade ago, and the skills needed in the future are going to be entirely different as well. So what do you do about that? Read a lot, ask a lot of questions and read some more. The only constant is change, and lifelong learners are best equipped to thrive in our dynamic world.

Be You

Finally, and most importantly, remain true to yourself. Our workplaces, neighborhoods and communities are richer, stronger and more interesting when we are surrounded by people from diverse cultures, experiences and ideas. I personally find more value and insight in talking with someone whose experiences are different from my own. Bringing your entire self to whatever you do. Sharing your unique perspective to the team will help the outcome be better.

Your professional life is called a career path for a reason. It’s a journey. But don’t expect the path will always be clear — or that your destination will remain constant. When I began my adventure, I didn’t know where it would take me or even where I wanted to land. I just knew that I wanted to be challenged, make a difference and have fun along the way. Keep an open mind. Enjoy the journey. And you do you!

Source: Forbes

The mission of Next Steps Navigation is helping college graduates navigate the ups and downs of finding their place in the world, by finding their right next step. Recognizing the huge gap between getting a college degree and the realities of entering the workforce, we developed our coaching program to help families navigate this critical transition. We’ll meet you where you are and get you pointed in the right direction to choose a job – and a life – that you love.