Navigating the transition from college to career

Navigating the transition from college to career Navigating the transition from college to career I’m attending my 10-year college reunion this weekend in Providence, RI, where I’m excited to reconnect with old classmates and host  a #BossedUpBook Tour stop  with my college bestie, Vanessa.If you or anyone you know is in the area, please feel free to join me on  Saturday, May 25 at 11 am here.Follow Ladders on Flipboard!Follow Ladders’ magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and more!As I see so many happy graduates proudly posing with diplomas this time of year, I’m reminded of all the things I’ve learned over the past decade about making that transition. It’s a big shift. All our lives up until graduation day we’ve been mastering the art of performing, perfecting, and pleasing others. Life after graduation requires a few big mindset shifts that I wish I’d known about earlier. I share a lot of those lessons learned in my new book, Bossed Up, but here are the top take-aways I want every new grad to keep in mind.Make Your Own SyllabusThe days of figuring out what the professor wants from you and then going home to put your nose to the grindstone and deliver it are officially behind you. The workforce rewards a more proactive approach: the kind of person who sees a need and fills it; who steps up to make things better, even if that means trying something new or different; who speaks up assertively. Don’t wait to be handed a rubric for success, because more often than not, it’s not coming.Everything is NegotiableAs students, we’re conditioned to follow the rules. But outside the confines of academic life, things are often more negotiable than they might seem. Got a job offer that you like but don’t love?  Ask for more! Have a work schedule that makes getting to the dentist or doctor near-impossible? Ask for the flexibility you need.My sister, Isabel â€" who’s 11 years younger than me â€" recently landed an internship here in Colorado for the summer. The office she’s working in initial ly offered her only 2 days of work a week, but when she learned that her college would only provide a summer stipend if she worked more than that, she was feeling stuck. I encouraged her to ask for what she needed to make it all work and what do ya know â€" they were happy to alter their initial plans.Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you don’t, no one will for you.Build in Your Own BreaksPart of the reason I found myself  burning out  before the age of 25 is because I was waiting for the end of a semester that was never going to arrive! Life after college doesn’t come with the built-in breaks that students become accustomed to. If you’re waiting for permission to take a break, you’re going to be waiting for a long time. Look at each week, month, and quarter in life after college and build in time for breaks.Find people and activities that leave you feeling refreshed and make them a priority. Take a vacation â€" even  a mini one  or a staycation â€" every three to six months. Schedule reminders for dentist appointments and annual check-ups. Learn to set a budget and spend time learning how to make the best financial choices you can. Part of #adulting means learning to take care of yourself, and the reality is: that takes time. Only you are going to make the time, so be proactive about building in breaks.Seek Out the Support You NeedYou know how most colleges have career centers and high schools have guidance counselors? Well, in life after school, you’re on your own, kid.I’m only partially kidding. Here’s the scoop: some of your peers are going to have the privilege of coming from families with connections and friends in high places who can open doors for them. If that’s the position you’re in â€" use it. If you’re like me â€" having family connections was never really my experience â€" you can still take the initiative to  land meetings with important people  who can influence your career trajectory. It takes time, effort, and some skill to learn  how to connect with people,  but it is  important.It’s not enough to be good at your job. To really cultivate the career you want, you’re going to have to build your network, grow your power and influence, and not be shy about seeking out support.Want more guidance on navigating the college to career transition?Pick up your copy of my new book,  Bossed Up,  and then register to join me for  my upcoming webinar  for recent grads on how to transition from college to career coming up on Thursday, June 13.This article first appeared on Bossed Up.  You might also enjoy… New neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happy Strangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds 10 lessons from Benjamin Franklin’s daily schedule that will double your productivity The worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs 10 habits of mentally strong people