Highly Educated and Under Utilized?

You got your bachelors degree.  Maybe you even got your masters degree.  Great!  Now what?

There is nothing that takes the wind out of your sails quite like being told all your life that you need to get a degree to get anywhere in life, only to find yourself faced with a limping economy without a lot of available ideal jobs.  Unfortunately, Millennials have been bred to believe that they are the best at everything they do, so the cold hard truth that you won't fall into your dream job right out of school can be a jarring experience.

What's a student loan-saddled graduate to do?  The first priority should be to have a crystal clear idea of what you want to do.  That way, any time you network, talk to friends or family, or apply for jobs, you can brand yourself as either ideal for that job - or on track for that career.  For example: a person who wants to be a project manager doesn't just apply to that role with no experience, they must pay their dues as an analyst/engineer/lead type role long enough to justify it.

The thing is, let people know what you are working towards, even your boss.  That way when opportunities become available (yes some companies are still hiring), you will have already planted the seed in their heads to associate you with what you are working towards.  Remember the branding I mentioned earlier?  

Just keep in mind, this isn't going to happen overnight, so adjust your expectations accordingly and make sure you work hard and get noticed along the way!