Management is a valuable skill that can open up many career opportunities, but how can you develop it as a recent graduate? If you want to become a confident and effective leader, you need to gain practical experience in managing projects, teams, and resources. Here are some of the most effective ways for recent graduates to gain management experience.
One of the easiest ways to gain management experience is to volunteer for leadership roles in your current or previous organizations. Whether it's a student club, a community group, or a non-profit, you can offer to take charge of a project, a committee, or a event that aligns with your interests and goals. Volunteering for leadership roles will help you develop skills such as planning, organizing, delegating, communicating, and problem-solving. It will also show your initiative, commitment, and passion for the cause.
If a graduate does not have management experience, these are just a few beneficial steps to take: ????join professional groups (associated with their profession) & network i.e. National Association of Public Accountants, National Black MBA Association, etc..(most have local chapters as well. ????Secure at least 3 mentors (business, personal, spiritual) & ask for referrals ????Intern and/or volunteer in a leadership role for a few weeks and ascertain if you enjoy the management environment ????Seek companies with leadership programs intended to nurture inexperienced employees. ????Ask someone you know and/or for a referral to shadow a manager for a week. Note* one day may not be enough to decipher your genuine thoughts. Stay committed!
Participar de atividades voluntárias pode ajudar a desenvolver muitas habilidades, temos algumas organiza??es nos quais é estabelecida uma estrutura de hierárquia, no qual cada participante pode atuar com atividades com as quais mais se identifica. Uma sugest?o seria os Escoteiros, Rotary Club, e AIESEC
Another way to gain management experience is to seek mentorship and feedback from people who have more experience and expertise in your field. You can find mentors in your network, your workplace, or your professional associations. You can also use online platforms such as LinkedIn or MentorCruise to connect with potential mentors. Mentors can provide you with guidance, advice, and support on how to improve your management skills and overcome challenges. They can also give you constructive feedback on your performance and areas for improvement.
Taking the initiative to secure professional & personal mentors is one of the most invaluable decisions to guide your career/life path. If you're shy, consider the following: ????For example, if you want to become an optical store manager, foster a genuine relationship. ???? ask your professors for a referral ????Use Linkedin to leverage messenger. YES, be bold & initiate a conversation. i.e., "Hi you don't know me and this message does not involve spam. My name is Kim & I'm a recent MBA graduate (put what's applicable). I'm interested in becoming an optometrist. Would you be willing to have a 10 minute phone/zoom call with me to ask a few question? ????Establish a rapport, ask to shadow them and/or to be a mentor! Believe in Yourself!
Co-mentorship is a dynamic approach for recent graduates to gain management experience. Pair up with a seasoned mentor keen to learn about the latest industry trends that you're familiar with. By sharing cutting-edge skills and exploring the intersection of your technical knowledge with management principles, both parties can co-create value and enhance their respective skill sets. This reciprocal learning can lead to innovative solutions and accelerate a graduate's growth into effective management roles.
A third way to gain management experience is to take online courses and certifications that can enhance your knowledge and credentials. There are many online platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare that offer courses on various aspects of management, such as leadership styles, team dynamics, project management, conflict resolution, and more. You can also pursue certifications from reputable organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), or the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Taking online courses and certifications will help you learn new concepts, tools, and best practices that you can apply to your own projects and teams.
When seeking management training, aim for courses that address your immediate growth path rather than distant goals like c-suite skills. I've found that sometimes recent grads focus high-level leadership learning; however, foundational management skills are crucial. Seek training specifically designed for new or aspiring managers to build a solid base in essential management practices to target your next opportunity.
A fourth way to gain management experience is to join or start a mastermind group with other like-minded professionals who share your goals and challenges. A mastermind group is a small group of people who meet regularly to discuss their progress, share their insights, and hold each other accountable. You can find or create a mastermind group in your niche, industry, or location. Joining or starting a mastermind group will help you network, collaborate, and learn from others who have similar or complementary skills and experiences.
A fifth way to gain management experience is to apply for management trainee programs offered by various employers. Management trainee programs are designed to prepare high-potential candidates for future leadership roles by exposing them to different aspects of the business, providing them with training and coaching, and assigning them to challenging projects and tasks. You can search for management trainee programs on job boards, company websites, or career fairs. Applying for management trainee programs will help you gain valuable exposure, experience, and connections in your desired field.
Nos cursos superiores/gradua??o naturalmente temos algumas disciplinas e experiências durante a forma??o. Sempre seremos coordenador de algum setor,grupo. Mas por experiência própria vejo com bons olhos cursos e treinamentos específicos. Trabalhei em uma farmácia que temos que responder como gestor apenas por ser farmacêutico e em outro que existem provas, cursos e cargos intermediários e formadores e com certeza nesse segundo o profissional é bem mais preparado.
In higher education/undergraduate courses, we naturally have some subjects and experiences during training. We will always be coordinators of some sector, group. But from my own experience, look favorably on specific courses and training. I worked in a pharmacy where we have to respond as a manager just because we are a pharmacist and in another where there are tests, courses and intermediate and training loads and certainly in this second case the professional is much more prepared.
A sixth way to gain management experience is to create your own opportunities by initiating, leading, or participating in projects that showcase your skills and potential. You can create your own opportunities by proposing a new idea, launching a side hustle, organizing a event, or joining a competition. You can also leverage your existing skills, hobbies, or passions to create something meaningful and impactful. Creating your own opportunities will help you demonstrate your creativity, initiative, and leadership to yourself and others.
As the Head of Commercial at TruckItIn, I've witnessed the importance of adaptive leadership in logistics. For recent graduates seeking management experience, consider industry-specific engagement for unique insights. In logistics, cross-industry exposure, such as exploring supply chains in both e-commerce and traditional retail, is crucial. At TruckItIn, effective communication and emotional intelligence are paramount. Extended shadowing experiences provide real-world insights, aligning with our commitment to hands-on learning. This approach equips graduates with the adaptability needed in dynamic sectors like logistics.
*Note, I am not being paid for this post. Several of my former undergraduate students shared their pleasant experience with working in the Starbucks management program. They mentioned incentives such as: ????tuition reimbursement ????customized managerial training ????stock options (just to name a few) These discussions took place a decade ago, so the details may have shifted a little. ????Nonetheless, seek similar programs as a stepping stone into management (if available) within your field of choice. If you're currently at a company you love, build genuine relationships with leaders you admire. Take internal and written notes of skillsets they possess. When the opportunity arises for a promotion, you may be the one chosen.
For recent graduates seeking management experience, variety is key. Work with various managers with different levels of experience and seniority to understand different leadership styles while also working with a coach to identify your own core values. It's should be an exploration that will enable you to craft a personal management style that's not only effective but also will help you become an authentic manager and leader.