Career
Career Tips for Your First Real Job
Graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter of independence and self-discovery. Taking that first step into the professional world and starting your first job after graduating from high school, trade school or college is a rush like no other. Considering the countless opportunities, and knowing that the average person spends 90,000 hours at work in a lifetime, it is good to focus on finding meaning in your professional and personal life. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are 3 tips for stepping into your first job.
Tip 1 – Make the Most of Your First Job
It’s possible your first job is your dream job. It is more likely that your first job is a stepping stone along the way to a great career. The feeling of accomplishment at work should not be the only determinant of your identity.
The combination of our abilities and passions makes each of us unique. Create a checklist of three to five personal qualities you want to grow and develop. In contrast, you can also pinpoint aspects of your identity that you are prepared to let go. Jot down three aspects of your identity that you’d like to update or revise.
Example Areas to Grow and Develop
- Goal setting
- Collaboration and team work
- Active Listening
- Proactiveness
- Personal organization
- Time Management
- Skill that you would only learn on this first job
Tip 2 – Bring your passion projects into the workplace
The saying “Chase your dreams and the money will come” has had mixed results in the business world. It is a tempting prospect that you could receive payment for the activities you adore. If you’re working in corporate, don’t fret! There are ways to pursue passion projects, have fun, and even give back to the community.
Today I had talked to a young man in his first job at a car rental agency. Today I had talked to a young man in his first job at a car rental agency. He was able to balance work and play during his college years by working at a ski resort and snowboarding for free in his free time. His new career goal was to climb the ranks in sales, even if it meant leaving behind the snow-capped mountains and his beloved snowboarding. I was impressed by his dedication to both his work and personal life, as he had set a goal to advance his sales career and make time for snowboarding.
You may come across opportunities to indulge in your passions alongside your job duties in your workplace. It’s important to keep an eye out for this during interviews or when you first join. Don’t miss out on the clubs, teams, and events that businesses offer for your hobbies.
Tip 3 – Your first job is not forever, its OK to move on
You did everything right, from researching the company to acing the interview, but the job didn’t live up to your expectations. Like a new romance, the interview and hiring process is full of hope and possibility. As time marches on, the novelty of the experience may wear off, showing the need to push oneself towards new challenges. Learning doesn’t end with graduation. Continuously learning and improving is key to success. If we have the drive to learn, we can improve our competence, and increase our worth in the job market, providing us with more options for a career change.
Take a few moments to look up from your work and assess your current situation and future goals. If your current role isn’t leading you down the path you want to take, it’s time to reassess and make necessary changes.
Identity on the Job
Stepping into your professional life from your student life can initially bias you to give your job everything. Bringing your personal identity to your work can help you balance your professional and private life, allowing you to ‘live well’ with a fulfilling life. Keep these 3 tips in mind and you begin your working journey.
Your job is WHAT you do, it is not WHO you are
Look for ways to bring your passion projects into the workplace
Your first job is not forever
Focus on career choices you can make an impact, journey in grace and be patient with yourself as you grow.
If you want to read other posts on jobs that have impact and meaning, read more articles on jobs here. https://thecleanerplanetplaybook.com/blog/
A great place to check out companies is Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/
Motivation to stay on top of your career as you get started in your first job.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/3-ways-to-stay-at-the-top-of-your-field/449821
https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/9-daily-strategies-for-staying-on-top-of-your-game/294445
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-career-themes-i-live-kenneth-brazerol
About the Author
Cyndi, a satellite systems engineer, taps into the latest technology to ensure her customers have the most advanced in-air connected experiences. She delights in the challenge of a good problem and likes to take apart ideas to generate original solutions, including some that are now US Patents and others that are just considered a secret.
When she isn’t engineering, Cyndi spreads the word about personal health and environmental sustainability. She is the author of The Cleaner Planet Playbook, a certified Fitness and Health Coach who loves to motivate and support others to take steps to living well. Cyndi’s goal is to improve people’s lives by teaching them sustainable practices that benefit both their health and the environment. She believes even the most basic of actions can have a significant impact, motivating people with uplifting encouragement to find meaning and take action.
