My Top 3 Advice to College Graduates

As we move along with the pandemic and major layoffs are happening, it’s unfortunate to admit that the job market is getting tougher and tougher right now. Below is my personal experience that helped me navigate the challenging time of unemployment and career transition. Hopefully, my experience adds a different perspective and value to you.

1. Don’t just stick with a focus on your study background

Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks. This is the time to explore and find out what you enjoy doing. Studying the subject and doing the job in the field sometimes could be totally different. You might be surprised to find a new area that you enjoy where it is totally out of your scope of study.

I used to think that if I worked in an area not aligned with my field of study, I’d be wasting my time and money on college. But later I found out that I didn’t really “waste” my time. Shifting my focus on what I’ve gained in college (such as time management skills, people skills, friends I made, etc) helps to fight my self-doubt.

2. If you don’t enjoy your current field, consider higher education or extended studies so you can transition to a new area

When I realized I wanted to pursue business, I researched different educational resources that could help me break into the business field. This includes taking some online classes for certificates or higher education. However, pursuing higher education is an investment. It’s recommended to reach out to alumni or people who had a similar path and are currently at a place where you wanted to be to figure out if grad school or further education is needed. This leads to my last and most important point - finding a mentor.

3. Find a mentor or someone who is ahead of you for guidance

Having someone who has been in your shoes and is currently at a place where you wanted to be to guide you is invaluable. However, people like that don’t just show up in your life, and even if they do, they don’t have the responsibility to help you. I had to learn that mentorship does not come automatically, it has to be earned and that information does not come free. It might not be paid monetarily but might cost some of my time to pursue.

To find someone like that, I’d say it’s important to network. Hopefully, this is not something new to you, but I can’t help mentioning again how crucial networking can be in one's life. Some may think networking is transactional, where people just communicate on a peripheral level but it’s good to hear a new story or learn a different perspective. Some may believe networking is when you foster a relationship and build connections with people. Neither of them is better than the other. They are both really good ways to expand my circle and elevate my thinking. Just remember don’t be afraid to reach out to alumni or people you admire who got the results you want. You never know where your next opportunity may come from, and having a strong network can help you get there.