The new year lays the groundwork for self-improvement, warrants drastic lifestyle changes, and may even be categorized as a personal renaissance. Summer internship applications are underway, and we are beginning to think about our big-girl jobs, and, just as importantly, our corporate outfits. The jump from university to the work force comes about sneakily fast and can be quite daunting; how do we go from our town’s bubble to a city? What about applying for jobs? And do you really need graduate school? To successfully navigate these uncharted territories, one can look to recent graduates for guidance. These are individuals who were in your footsteps not so long ago…
Having worked with girls a few years older than me, I developed close friendships and strong female role models. Having known them since our days waitressing, I’ve experienced their journeys into ‘adulthood,’ and it is inspiring, even more so, to see their different yet successful career routes. As a third year, I have begun to think much more critically about what lies ahead of me and have channeled my nerves into conversations with these slightly older friends, each time adding skills, anecdotes, and advice into my toolbox.
I chatted with one data analyst (25) and one postgraduate student (24). In each conversation held in preparation for this article, the young women emphasized the importance of time management. While one works mainly remotely, one entirely in person, and one as a student, a consensus on the change from the university’s free time proved difficult. We often misuse our time, and each girl reiterated that we must recognize and improve our routines in any path we choose, following our undergrad. I found the data analyst’s responses, compared with the students’, especially helpful.
The two guiding questions were why you chose to (or not to) attend graduate school, and what was the biggest obstacle you faced?
The data analyst expressed that “work after college felt like the default answer for me – a given that I would join the workforce after graduating. Being in the data industry, grad school did not feel necessary to me. This being said, I don’t regret it at all (I also did not take time off between school and work which I don’t regret either)!”
While the student simply felt that she could succeed further in her career if she pursued a higher level of education. “I knew that I wasn’t ready to enter the workforce, and I really love to learn. I figured I could try two more years and expand my options…all while maturing in ways I still needed to!” Neither decision has limited their ability to find work, joy, and satisfaction in day-to-day life, despite the different approaches. And each has proved to be a rewarding and crucial learning opportunity.
I then followed up by asking about the challenges they each faced:
Data analyst: “I think the hardest change was accepting myself as somewhat of an equal to colleagues who were much older and more senior in their positions. We learn to call those older than us by Mr/Mrs and from day one of my job my CEO shook my hand and introduced himself by his first name. Presenting ideas to managers and c-suite level people gets easier as you see them as less of ‘higher ups’ and more as just people too”.
I include this excerpt from our conversation because I find that in any job, we will face new, unfamiliar and intimidating power dynamics. The expectation of going from a student to a paid employee is quite a leap, yet here she expressed that it eventually became second nature. The student then expressed the opposite: she felt the same freedoms as an undergrad and did not feel unprepared for future challenges. “I explored so many new fields of study for my degree, met like-minded people, and have built a network for my career endeavors”.
And while I’ve included mere snippets of our conversations, I truly believe that highlighting these different yet equally rewarding experiences is important for university students. The stress and dilemma of life post-graduation do not have to be as scary, static, and dismaying as we may fear. Whether you go right into work, acquire three more degrees, or travel the world for endless months, everyone finds their niche! Chat with your friends, siblings, teachers, and parents… don’t be afraid to collect your own tidbits of advice!