ADVICE FROM A FORMER COLLEGE PROFESSOR: Hey, College Graduates? Your head is probably filled with advice. You know, those tips from parents, professors, friends, Crazy Uncle Joe, the grandma at the grocery store and anyone else who finds you’re graduating from college soon or just graduated college. I’m here to tell you that most of that advice is just, well, crap. (Sorry.)
Helpful Truths For College Graduates
Ahhh, yes. The last days of college.
You’re so close to the finish line, but there is still so much to do — final exams, papers to be written, worrying about where you’re going to live, or how you’re going to get a job.
The family is probably planning a big party that you may or may not want to really happen.
You’re tired.
You’re excited.
You’re overwhelmed.
You’re scared.
You’re sad.
And, you’re all of those things at once or you have vacillating emotions that happen about every three minutes (or more emotions than you have during one episode of GOT).
Your head is probably filled with advice — those oh-so-helpful tips from parents, professors, friends, and anyone else who finds out you’ll be released into the big blue yonder soon.
We’re here to tell you that most of that advice is just, well, crap.
(Sorry.)
So, we’re going to break down the reality of the work world by pulling back the curtain on the lies we tell you when you graduate from college.
Advice for New College Grads That is Totally False
As a college graduate and a former college adjunct professor, I’ve seen and experienced different angles of college graduation.
Here are the things I wish I’d known as a college student and then, later, things I told my own college students as a professor.
College Graduate Myth #1: It’s time to grow up!
Nah.
You actually have a few more years to grow up.
You know why?
Because that degree you just spent two to seven years earning?
Yeah.
It’s probably not going to mean anything to you in about two more years.
In fact, I would wager that you won’t even be using that degree by the end of your 27th year of life, because you will have changed to some completely different career path by then.
Now, that’s really when things need to start getting serious.
However, until then, you should probably start working on getting off your bestie’s futon (because, awkward).
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Embrace Lifelong Learning: Encourage continuous personal and professional development through online courses, workshops, and reading.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break down long-term goals into manageable short-term tasks to stay motivated and track progress.
- Balance Work and Play: Prioritize mental and physical health by balancing work responsibilities with hobbies and social activities.
College Graduate Myth #2. You have a degree. It will be easy to find a job.
We’re sad to tell you that just because you have a degree doesn’t mean you are going to find the job you want.
Think about it: Everyone else in your graduating class has a degree, too.
(And, weird economical times don’t help either. whew.)
So, you need to include things on your resume that are going to make you stand out beyond having a degree.
(And, we’re not talking things like Beer Pong Champion 19 Days in a Row.)
Think about any charity and volunteering activities you did, internships you completed, job experience while in college, legit social media posts that went viral and tailor that experience to match the job you want.
(Just don’t lie about it. You will be busted and will be on your friend’s couch even longer. SEE ALSO: #1)
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Build a Strong Network: Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field.
- Gain Experience: Consider internships, volunteer work, or freelance projects to build a robust portfolio and gain practical experience.
- Tailor Your Job Applications: Customize your resume and cover letter for each job application, highlighting relevant skills and experiences for each specific job.
College Graduate Myth #3. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
No, you really don’t always have to empty trash cans at the office to get a job in your field.
(No matter how many times your grandpa tells you that walking uphill both ways for his first job story.)
There are often opportunities for you to come out of college and get a nice job somewhere in the middle (or at least a little above beginner status).
Just don’t hold out for the top dog spot… yet.
(TikTok wasn’t built in a day, yo.)
On the flip side, don’t be afraid to take a job that you think is “beneath you” just to get your foot in the door at a company you really, really want to work at. It’s easier to show what you can do once you’re in.
PRO TIP: Its also time to call in some favors. Don’t be afraid to ask Cousin Johnny to introduce you to his boss or have your parents or classmates call in a favor or two with their connections.
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Identify Growth Opportunities: Look for companies that offer clear career advancement paths and professional development programs. (Don’t be afraid to ask about this during your interview!)
- Showcase Your Skills: Take on projects that allow you to demonstrate your capabilities and add value beyond your job description.
- Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor who can provide guidance, advice, and support as you navigate your career path.
HAVE NEW GRADS GOING TO COLLEGE? CHECK OUT: Best College Dorm Rooms Checklist For New College Students: Essentials and Ideas for Dormitory Living Space
College Graduate Myth #4. Never burn any bridges!
Let’s get serious for a sec: No matter how nice you are and how many times you bring doughnuts in for everyone, you’re going to create a list of some people that you tick off along your career journey or people that just don’t like you for some (inexplicable) reason (that sometimes has nothing to do with you).
It’s inevitable and it’s happened to all of us (and we totally survived).
However, you should probably work on not being the worst person in your office, especially early on.
You are going to need at least one of those people to give you a reference at some point (even if it’s a co-worker), and it sure is hard to walk across that bridge after you’ve burned it to the ground.
So, try to burn the least amount of bridges as possible, but be aware that it is going to happen.
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Exit Gracefully: If you need to leave a job, do so professionally by providing adequate notice, completing pending tasks, and thanking your employer for the opportunity.
- Maintain Professional Relationships: Stay in touch with former colleagues and supervisors through networking events, LinkedIn, or occasional check-ins.
- Address Conflicts Constructively: Handle workplace disagreements with professionalism and respect, focusing on finding mutually beneficial solutions.
If none of that works, burn it all down as you’re leaving. (Totally kidding.)
College Graduate Myth #5. You have to get good grades and graduate at the top of your class for the great jobs.
Uh. No.
Even if you sofa-surfed and hookah-smoked your way through the last two years of college, you will still have the ability to get a good job.
OK, it’s going to be a bit more challenging for you and may take some creative interview persuading or awesome connections, but you certainly don’t have to be Magna Cum Laude to land the job you want.
In the bazillion years I’ve been out of college and all the real jobs I (used to) have, not one of them asked me for my grades or grade point average.
Not even when I took an adjunct professor position.
Weird, huh?
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Highlight Practical Skills: Emphasize real-world skills, internships, and projects on your resume that demonstrate your ability to perform in a job setting.
- Develop Soft Skills: Focus on building communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills that are highly valued by employers and way more important than your college grade point average.
- Showcase Achievements: Use a portfolio to display your accomplishments, whether they are academic, extracurricular, or professional.
College Graduate Myth #6. Be the first one to work and the last one to leave.
Don’t.
Just… don’t.
This is not a precedent that you want to set early on.
Sure, you want to be seen as a hard worker and not that person who rolls in late with a latte and sits at their desk laughing at dog videos for half the day.
But, you don’t need to be the martyr making sure everyone in the office knows you work 90 hours a week.
And, guess what else?
When it comes time for layoffs, the company powers to be won’t give a second thought to all of those extra hours you’ve worked, especially if cutting your salary helps them easily meet a budget goal.
Trust us on this and work on balance from the very start.
PS: You will get laid off and/or fired at some point in your career. You’ll survive that, too.
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Focus on Productivity: Concentrate on producing high-quality work and meeting deadlines rather than simply putting in long hours.
- Set Boundaries: Establish a healthy work-life balance by setting clear boundaries between work and personal time. It’s OK to say no (and if it’s not, you may want to reconsider your choice of workplace).
- Prioritize Tasks: Use time management techniques such as prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and avoiding procrastination to work efficiently so you don’t have to put in long hours.
What real world advice do you have for college graduates?
