A Letter to Graduates

Dear Graduates,

Graduating from college is weird. For many, at least for me, it was the first time in 15+ years I couldn’t call myself a student. So who am I? What do I call myself? Well, unemployed for starters...

There I was, scratching my head, wondering how I was supposed to translate years of education into being an adult and getting a real job. Did I miss something?

If you’re feeling this way too, you’re not alone. Every recent grad has felt this to some degree. And, no, you didn’t miss the lesson on adulting-- there isn’t one. It’s your job to pay attention to the thousands of small lessons baked into everyday life. So, as my graduation gift to you, here are five timeless lessons to help you get started.

1) It’s OK to feel a little lost

I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I have ideas of what that might look like, but every day I learn new things about myself and as a result, my outlook on the future is always changing. No matter where you are in your career, you’ll always be figuring it out to some extent. Whatever end goal you’re chasing, it's constantly evolving based on your experiences and how they shape you both personally and professionally. 

So, relax. You don’t have to know it all to secure your first job out of college. And your first job won’t lock you into a lifetime of whatever it is you choose to pursue. That said, be purposeful and don't rush into things. Taking time to understand yourself and aligning your career goals accordingly is far more important than jumping into the first job at arms reach.

2) Know what you don’t want

You may not know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life quite yet, and that's okay! Instead, try starting with all the things you don't want to do. Think back to that frustrating group project or the crappy internship. Why did they suck so much?

You don't like the things you don't like because they conflict with the things you do like. This knowledge can be really useful when used strategically. Take the things that aren't you, and use them to learn about the things that are. If nothing else, your world of possibilities will shrink, which in return, will make choosing your initial path a lot less daunting.

3) Not all that glitters is gold

When I was job searching fresh out of school, it was all about the perks baby. If I could join a company that had great perks, everything else would probably be great too, right? Think flexible hours, in-office yoga, kombucha on tap… You know, the important stuff!

I was fabricating a “dream job” based on perks and believed that as long as I was in the right work environment, the work itself wouldn’t matter as much. Sound familiar? If you're out there chasing sexy workplaces, I guarantee you’re overlooking some really great opportunities. Even after putting all the flashy things first, my first job out of college landed me in a grey cube, surrounded by grey cubes. It wasn’t quite what I envisioned, but I learned A LOT and was introduced to a career path that I may not have found otherwise.

Yes, the work environment is important (notice I said work environment, NOT perks), but that’s only one piece of the puzzle. The goal is to find work you love, like-minded coworkers, and a culture that reflects your values. Kombucha on tap is just a bonus. (Still chasing that perk though, #yolo)

4) Interviewing goes both ways

When you walk into an interview, you should think of yourself as both the interviewee and the interviewer. If you don't play both roles, you're doing yourself a huge disservice. The hiring team knows the job and is trying to figure out if you fit the bill. You know yourself and are there to figure out if this opportunity fits what you're looking for. Get it? 

So, where to start... Try picturing yourself in the job. What's missing or unclear? Bring questions to unpack how your skills and experience complement what's outlined in the job description. Next, you'll want to think about your values, interests, and career goals. Bring questions to make sure they're in sync with the job, company, and team.

You'll spend over 2,000 hours/year with this company, doing this work. Do everything you can during the interview process to make sure it’s really where you want to be.

5) Always say thank you

Sending thanks is super important and 100% non-negotiable. No matter how good/bad the interview went, anyone who shared their time with you deserves a personalized thank you, in writing. Yep!! Separate and unique thank you notes for each person you interviewed with. (More info on writing thank you notes here.)

If you haven't discovered this already, relationships are one of the most valuable currencies in business and life. Play your (thank you) cards right and the relationships you build today will pay dividends later in your career. 

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Hopefully, these tips resonate with you and carry you into your career with nothing but good jitters and excitement. This is the graduation letter I never received but really needed. If ever you're feeling a bit uncertain as you navigate this new terrain, return to these tips and remind yourself-- we've all been there! You're right where you're supposed to be. RELAX. You've got this. You're gonna do great ?

Cheers!!