Career Advice for People in Their 20s

The transition from student to professional in your early twenties is an exciting time. You’re at the starting line of your career, and it’s time to test out the knowledge you worked so hard to obtain in school. On your mark. Get set. Go!

As the initial excitement of your first job starts to fade, it becomes clear that your career is not a sprint; you’ll need to mentally prepare for a marathon. Actually, your career might be a whole track and field competition of its own, complete with relay races, long jumps, and more than a few hurdles along the way. In fact, the finish line may not even be clear, at least, not in the same way that it was when you were a student. 

The habits and mindset that you adopt early in your career will be key in setting yourself up for success. Here are some tips to help new graduates get started on the right foot!

Get Ready to Learn and Relearn: Regardless of the university you attended, or your cumulative gpa at graduation, you will enter the working world as a beginner. Yes, an internship may have given you experience in your field, but an entry level role comes with a few additional expectations. 

Even if you’re feeling a little bored, or underutilized in your new role, you should show up with a good attitude and a willingness to learn according to the plan that your company or manager has set. Early in your career, learning the fundamentals is essential to your later success. Maybe you were introduced to a concept during your internship, but in practice, you’ll see that what you learned was only the tip of the iceberg. 

I’ll admit that as a young professional, it was easy to fall into the trap of thinking that I knew everything and could hit the ground running on my own, but spoiler alert: I had a lot to learn and I needed help to find my footing.

As a new grad, you’re a beginner. Embrace the beginner’s mindset!

Become Well-Rounded: There is a theory that B and C students tend to perform better in their careers than straight A students. But why? A couple different reasons, including the idea that A students were better at following rules and prioritizing academic excellence above all, which made them excellent individual contributors, but limited advancement opportunities. The B students, while equally as intelligent as the A students, did not place the same emphasis on grades, and instead, spent less time studying and more time socializing, and developing important soft skills like leadership and teamwork skills. Even more, the C students questioned the validity of grades all together, graduating with excellent problem solving and entrepreneurial skills.

I was an A/B student throughout my academic career, and in my experience, I hit my professional career stride when I tossed out the idea of aiming for perfection and letting my hard work speak for itself, and instead, embraced failure as a part of the learning process and prioritized building relationships in the workplace. As it turned out, my hard work never spoke for itself; I needed to speak for myself.

I’ve seen, firsthand, that some new graduates tend to stay to themselves, opting out of team building opportunities to work alone on tough projects. That strategy may have led to an A in school, but it doesn't quite translate to success in the office. 

Even if it’s uncomfortable at first, I recommend that new graduates take opportunities to ask questions, speak up when they need help, and embrace networking and socializing as a part of career development. Build these habits early in your career, and it will feel natural as you advance.

Be Humble and Treat Everyone with Respect: This point should really go without saying, but it’s always good to remember that in the office, and in life in general, it’s best to remain humble and treat those around you with respect. 

As you advance in your career, you’ll notice something that might not be apparent to those just starting out, that a person’s job title does not necessarily reflect their expertise or influence in a company. Companies may have a formal organizational chart, but there is likely an informal, undocumented network that influences business decisions. Ultimately, you should treat everyone with respect because it’s the right thing to do, but at the office, you risk setting yourself up for trouble if you are rude to the wrong person. 

The early part of a career is an exciting, and maybe an unpredictable time, but you’ll have resources and teammates to show you the ropes. Enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way!