10 Things I Wish I Knew Coming Out of College - CareerAlley

10 Things I Wish I Knew Coming Out of College - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. By Dr.Latanya Hughes Assistant Professor, School of Business at American Public University Finishing college can feel like being on the precipice of a new terrain. Its scary, but it will be alright. I cant promise you roses and champagne, but I can tell you some things (in no particular order) I wish I knew then. Not all jobs are about money. Your reward may be more in serving others or in following a passion. Am I saying you cant make money? Absolutely not. Dont think you are getting your degree and instantly you are making a six figure salary. Set SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timely) goals for yourself and stick to them. Keep them in front of you, so they can encourage you to press on. Dont limit your opportunities. You may need to be open to relocation or other changes to your current life routine. Network! Network! Network! Position yourself to meet industry representatives and leaders. Dont be afraid to go to industry events, workshops, seminars, and trade shows. Arm yourself with information. Knowledge is power! Keep yourself abreast of industry trends. Subscribe to magazines, publications, and reports. Get a mentor. You are never too old to have a mentor. Mentors help guide you and hold you accountable to achieve your goals. They develop you and, in turn, show you how to mentor others. Stay focused. Dont lose sight of your goals. Keep your eyes open for opportunities. They can be literally around the corner. Think big! Dont limit yourself. The world is a big place and there is a place for you to carve for yourself. KISSkeep it simple Sally/Sam. Dont overcomplicate things. Some of the most successful people kept it simple. Often, the answer to your problems is right in front of you and its not hard. About the Author: Dr. Latanya Hughes is a full-time faculty member at American Public University. She received a bachelors degree (Hospitality Management) from Tuskegee University and a masters degree (MBA) from Strayer University. She received the Doctor of Strategic Leadership in Global Consulting from Regent University in the School of Global Leadership Entrepreneurship. This article fromOnlinecareertips.comwas republished with permission. Career Tip of the Day:Looking For An Internship What To Expect From Employers Suggested Reading:Go Forth and Get a Job!: A Job Search Guide for College Grads We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to land your first job. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search