Breaking News: NFL Draft Reveals Shocking Secrets to Ace Your College-to-Career Transition (Number 3 will make you LOL!)

Football’s glorified version of picking playground teams—the NFL draft—is gracing our televisions this week and highlighting the money-filled transition from college baller to professional athlete. Here’s what we can learn about transitioning to the real world from the 2023 NFL draft and its draft class.?

1 Everyone wants a leader.?

The Carolina Panthers have selected University of Alabama quarterback and 2021 Heisman Trophy winner?Bryce Young?as the draft’s first pick. Quarterbacks are often stereotyped as ego-centric but they’re also typically known as the team’s leaders and orchestrators. There’s a reason quarterbacks are regular top picks. Everyone wants a bona fide leader, whether it’s in the draft or the workplace. Assert yourself as a leader, minus the ego.

2 The first offer usually isn’t the best offer.?

Sure, it’s pretty cool to be one of the first draft picks. But let’s be realistic…who really dreams of playing for a terrible team like the Denver Broncos or the Arizona Cardinals, even if they do have the first picks? Your first job offer usually isn’t your best option. Know how to determine when you should jump at an early offer and when you should wait for one that’s better.?

3 It’s time to ditch the bong.?

Back in 2016 Former Ole Miss player Laremy Tunsil had a pretty poor “real-world” start. Just before the draft kicked off, a video of Tunsil smoking a bong through a gas mask was posted on Tunsil’s Twitter account. Tunsil claimed his Twitter account was hacked, but the damage was done—his draft stock plummeted and he went from being a projected top-five pick to being the 13th pick. The lesson? It’s time to grow up. Ditch the bong, don’t post dumb shit on social media, act like you want to work and you’re ready to work, or your real-world stock will plummet.?

4 Never give up.

Like I said, Laremy Tunsil had a rough night. His bong escapade was followed up with text screenshots posted to his Instagram account and y'all know how that turns out. The great news is Laremy for sure turned things around. Since then he sold an NFT of the video and donated proceeds to charity, has been to 3 Pro Bowls, and became the NFL's highest paid OL ever.

5 You’re up against a lot of hot shit. Stay humble.

The NFL draft is obviously stacked with the most talented and physically gifted college football players in the world. No matter how talented and gifted you are, the reality is there are at least a couple hundred other students out there just like you. This doesn’t mean you don’t deserve opportunity—just remember patience and humility are keys in the job hunt. Don’t just sit around and expect a first-round pick to land in your lap. It’s on you to make something happen, even in the latest job draft rounds.?

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